Peacemaker pistol. Colt Detective Special - Noir Style Revolver

Revolvers have always been in great demand in the United States of America, dating back to the days of the “Wild West” and Colt capsules. Throughout the 20th century and to the present day, revolvers are carried and kept at home by both police officers and ordinary citizens. Even despite all the progress achieved in the field of self-loading pistols, the high combat and performance qualities of modern models, revolvers are still used both as a spare and as a main weapon. This article will talk about one of the most famous American compact revolvers, the famous Colt Detective Special, the production of which was started by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in 1927.

Photos show a first model Colt Detective Special. The third photo from the top is of a 1933 revolver with a Tyler T-grip grip adapter installed. The developers of this revolver took as a basis the Colt Police Positive Special, popular at that time among the police, which had a compact frame. Very few changes were required to the design to achieve the set goals. Detective Special turned out to be really small-sized, light and convenient. The short barrel and fairly short handle did not unmask the weapon when carried secretly, for example, under a jacket.

“Snub-nosed” revolver under a jacket

Always in demand, this type of personal weapon did not lose its position even after the advent of proven self-loading pistols, such as the Colt M1911 and Browning High Power. At the same time, revolvers chambered for the .38 Special cartridge were, and continue to be, very popular. And this was at a time when excellent models were already being produced for the 357 Magnum cartridges, which were superior to the 38 caliber in terms of bullet stopping power. Everything is explained by the main advantages of 38-caliber revolvers, which are the low cost of weapons and ammunition, as well as soft recoil without strong bounce when fired.

At the beginning and middle of the last century, before the transition to modern self-loading pistols, members of the United States police departments were armed with models with a long barrel, mainly 102 mm, and carried them as their main weapon. Nowadays, instead of them, compact revolvers with 51-mm barrels are used, which are carried as a backup weapon, often still giving preference to the easy-to-shoot 38-caliber models. Compact revolvers have always been very popular among civilians. And although in the mid-1970s. The demand for revolvers decreased with the widespread adoption of repeating 9mm pistols, but compact revolvers continued to sell well. And now, despite everything, they are becoming more and more popular.

Page from a 1931 gun catalog describing the first model Detective Special revolver

Nicholas Allen (William Hall) with Detective Special in the 1937 gangster drama Escape from Night

Manufactured from 1933 to 1947. Detective Special revolvers, such as the one in this photo, are second model (second model). In 1933, the handle received rounded ends. It is this feature that is the main hallmark second model. Colt calls these grips "round butts." However, revolvers with old cheeks were produced until the mid-1950s.

But let's get back to Detective Special. The gunsmiths of Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company developed this revolver specifically for concealed carry for self-defense and use as a service weapon for plainclothes police officers and FBI agents. After the Detective Special went on sale, private detectives and police officers began to purchase them for their personal use. as well as ordinary citizens. Compact short-barreled revolvers are very convenient to carry unnoticed, and if necessary, they allow you to instantly open fire without the need to turn off any fuses. The weapon itself is extremely reliable, easy to use and unpretentious. Revolvers of this type are different from before. With just a very short barrel, they are informally called "snubbies" or "snubnosed", that is, "snub-nosed", due to the characteristic design of the barrel and front sight.

The main goals when creating the Detective Special were stealth and ease of use during constant concealed carry while maintaining, as far as possible, the combat qualities of a mid-size police revolver. Its developers took as a basis the Colt Police Positive Special, popular at that time among the police, which had a compact frame. Very few changes were required to the design to achieve the set goals. Detective Special turned out to be really small-sized, light and convenient. The short barrel and fairly short handle did not unmask the weapon when carried secretly, for example, under a jacket. This was greatly facilitated by a suitable holster, in tandem with which the “snub-nosed” revolver became truly unburdensome for the owner and invisible to others. Like most other compact revolvers of the time, it used the .38 Special cartridge.

Hollywood stars of the 1930s and 1940s: James Cagney (Eddie) holding a Detective Special revolver and Humphrey Bogart (George) talking in a warehouse in the famous 1939 gangster drama The Roaring Twenties.

The “roaring 20s” passed. It was the time of the Great Depression and Prohibition, a time of chaos, when disputes were settled with bullets, and machine gun fire increasingly disturbed the silence of the streets. Returning to Chicago after the end of World War I, George and Eddie begin to make their fortune by selling contraband alcohol and organizing a large gang. Their criminal business is thriving until it comes to betrayal. It turns out that getting everyone around you is much easier than reaching an agreement...

A second model Colt Detective Special in the "Fitz Special" style with the hammer spoke and trigger guard front removed. The photo on the right shows a Colt Agent revolver with the same changes, plus a shortened extractor rod.

In addition to the obvious need for a compact personal weapon, one of the ideas that became key to the creation of the Detective Special, according to some versions, are the revolvers of John Henry FitzGerald. A renowned "artist of guns" shooter who exhibited Colt products at trade shows, he became known for his work converting standard full-size revolvers such as the Colt New Service and Colt Police Positive into compact "snubbies" with unique features. The changes made mainly consisted of shortening the barrel length to 2 inches (51 mm), shortening the handle and rounding its sharp corners, removing the trigger spoke, and also removing the front part of the trigger guard. As a result, the revolver became very simple and comfortable to carry, both in a holster and in a pocket. The absence of a trigger spoke eliminated the danger of it getting caught on clothing when removing the revolver. The trigger guard, open at the front, provided the easiest access to the trigger, allowing you to fire a shot faster. Such revolvers were called "Fitz Special". Before production of the Detective Special began, Fitzgerald had already worked with its prototype - the Police Positive Special 38-caliber revolver.

Technical classics

Now let's look at the design of the Colt Detective Special. To load the weapon or reload, the drum tilts to the left. The drum rotates clockwise. When fired, it is blocked by the interaction of the drum lock protrusion with small longitudinal grooves on the surface of the drum. To reduce weight, the drum is traditionally made with six large recesses running horizontally along its surface between the chambers. The drum latch is located in the longitudinal groove of the removable wall on the left side of the rear part of the frame, behind the drum. The drum is locked in the frame by a rod lock, which, through a hole in the rear wall of the frame window, enters the central hole of the extractor located in the center of the drum. To tilt the drum, you need to pull its latch back by its protrusion with your thumb. Removal of spent cartridges or cartridges from the chambers of the drum is carried out by an extractor operated by hand.

1 - barrel assembly 2 - drum lock 3 - drum lock screw 4 - drum lock spring 5 - drum lifter 6 - lifter bushing 7 lifter retainer 8 lifter lock screw 9 lifter lock spring 10 - drum 11 - extractor rod 12 - extractor rod head 13 - extractor spring 14 - firing pin 15 - firing pin 16 - frame 17 - trigger 18 - trigger pin 19 - trigger earring 20 - trigger earring pin 21 - trigger stop pin 22 - trigger stop pin 23 - trigger stop spring 24 - stopper 25 - latch drum 26 - drum latch axis 27 - drum latch spring 28 - drum latch spring insert 29 - mainspring 30 - extractor ratchet 31 - pusher lever 32 - pusher lever pin 33 - breech ("mirror") 34 - safety rod 35 - safety lever rods 36 - removable wall (frame cheek) 37 - frame cheek screws 38, 39 - handle cheeks 40 - cheek pin 41 - cheek screw 42 - cheek nut 43 - trigger 44 - trigger pin

Revolvers of early production are distinguished by the head of the extractor axis with a cross notch and without a notch, however, the presence or absence of a notch or a different shape of the head cannot be one of the determining factors for classifying a revolver as a particular model. Early versions were equipped with cylindrical barrels that did not hide the extractor axis. The front sight, which was made separately, was connected to the barrel by high-temperature soldering. Beginning in 1972, Detective Specials received barrels that were made from a single piece of steel, along with the front sight and massive extractor axle housing, as a single piece. The barrel was attached to the revolver frame using threads. The trigger mechanism is hammer type, double action, with an open trigger. The firing pin is located in the trigger. The trigger is acted upon by a double-leaf spring. According to data received from the manufacturer, the trigger force when firing in self-cocking mode is a maximum of 6 kg, and in single action mode - a maximum of 2 kg. Measurements of the trigger force in a revolver produced in 1960 in single action mode showed 1.8 kg, self-cocking - 4 kg. The trigger stroke is even and smooth, quite short.

This photo shows a revolver of the third model, produced from 1947 to 1966, the main distinguishing feature of which is the front sight with a bevel of the upper rear part, which replaced the semicircular “half moon”. The surfaces began to be treated with mirror polishing followed by the application of black bluing, instead of satin and blue bluing. Exactly the same revolver as shown in the photograph along with an antique pocket watch could at one time belong to a private detective or a plainclothes policeman, protecting its owner in dangerous situations, always remaining ready for immediate use and at the same time invisible to others. Other objects in the photo were also often companions of the owners of the “snub-nosed” Colt.

Actor Ben Welden (Cobb) shoots "Goosie" Zucco with his Colt Detective Special.

A 1940 film noir drama, City to Conquer is about former boxing champion Danny Kenny, who plans to invest his entire life savings in his brother's dream of writing a symphonic ode to his native New York. However, the 15-round fight for the coveted title turns out to be fatal for him.

John Ridgeley, who played Eddie Mars, with Colt Detective Special, and Humphrey Bogart as private detective Philip Marlowe in Howard Hawks's The Deep Sleep, 1946. One of best films in the Noir genre, based on the novel by Raymond Chandler.

General Sternwood turns to Marlowe for help in catching his blackmailer youngest daughter Carmen. The general's eldest daughter, Vivian, offers her help to the detective, but it is not clear whose side she is on. Marlowe fails to find the truth and complete the assignment, as all the suspects are killed one by one.

The weapon is protected from accidental discharge when dropped. When the hammer is in the forward position, a safety rod is placed between it and the frame, preventing the hammer from moving forward. To fire a shot, you either simply pull the trigger, fully “selecting” its stroke, or manually cock the hammer and then pull the trigger. In the first case, in self-cocking mode, the trigger moves back under the influence of the trigger protrusion. By pre-cocking, in single-action mode, the hammer is pulled back until the sear “jumps” beyond its cocking position. When the shooter pulls the trigger or cocks the hammer, the rod moves down. At the moment the trigger is released, the safety rod will be in the lower position, without preventing it from initiating the primer.

After each shot, when the firing pin strikes the primer of the cartridge, the hammer bounces back a little. That is, the trigger mechanism has a hammer release, thanks to which the trigger will no longer move forward after the rebound under external influence, since it is prevented by the safety rod. But there is one drawback to this security system. When the hammer is cocked, the rod is in the down position, and if it somehow comes off the sear, an accidental discharge will occur. But this is extremely unlikely. No one carries a revolver equipped with a double-action trigger mechanism with the hammer cocked all the time, and besides, owners with extensive experience have not had such cases. The sights are not adjustable and consist of a front sight made as part of the barrel and a rear sight, which is a longitudinal groove in the upper part of the frame.

Philip Marlowe retrieves a Model 2 Detective Special from its hiding place in his car.

Since the beginning of the production of first model revolvers, many owners have noted that when firing even medium-power cartridges and loaded with light bullets, the back of the trigger guard cuts into the middle finger of the hand holding the weapon. Of course, the uncomfortable shooting did not suit anyone. Soon a simple and effective solution The solution to this problem is a part called the Grip Adapter, which roughly translates to “grip adapter.” This part is a curved insert that fits into the upper part of the space between the front surface of the handle and the trigger guard. The Grip Adapter, also called the Tyler T-grip, subsequently became widespread and began to be used in conjunction with revolvers from other manufacturers. Over time, the adapter idea was used to create new wide grip cheeks.

From 1927 to 1995 Detective Special was made only from high-quality weapons-grade steel. In the best traditions of Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, surface treatment was carried out with high quality. On pre-war models, the surfaces were treated with satin (a type of grinding), due to which the steel acquired a “polished”, “satin” look, after which a beautiful blue was applied In addition, nickel plating was used. In post-war models, the surfaces were treated with mirror polishing, followed by the application of black bluing. As for accuracy, when shooting from a rest, the diameter was 14 meters. best group hits were 45 mm, at 6 meters - 20 mm. Shooting from hand at 14 meters, a group of hits was obtained with a maximum diameter of 50 mm when shooting with a pre-cocked hammer, and 70 mm when shooting with a self-cocking gun.

“Models”: features and differences

Detective Special was produced in several versions, differing in some design features characteristic of different time periods of production, materials and types of surface treatments. There are several most common classifications and divisions of these versions. Various sources refer to them as "editions", "variants" or "models". The erroneous division into four “issues” or “versions” is quite widespread, which is very general and does not correspond to reality. The most accurate, recognized by collectors, is the classification into eight “models” of the Detective Special.

Revolvers produced from 1927 to 1933. belong to the first model. The main difference is the sharp front and rear ends of the lower part of the handle. On the side surfaces of the upper parts of the cheeks there were medallions depicting the company symbol - a rearing stallion. In addition, the revolver is equipped with a front sight with a semicircular top part"half moon" type, cross-cut on the rear protrusion of the drum lock, hammer spoke and front surface of the trigger, as well as a short extractor axis with a cross-cut head. Cross checkering on the detent, hammer and trigger was found on pre-war Detective Specials and is present on various parts on later models. After the Second World War, within a few years, the cross notch on the trigger spoke was replaced by a parallel one, and the notch was no longer applied to the drum lock. The revolver was made from high-quality weapon steel and was made with high quality workmanship, as well as surface treatment. Both the first and subsequent models featured excellent blue bluing and nickel plating until 1986.

Manufactured from 1933 to 1947. Detective Special revolvers belong to the second model. In 1933, the handle received rounded ends. It is this feature that is the main distinguishing feature of the second model. Colt calls these grips "round butts." However, revolvers with old cheeks were produced until the mid-1950s. Revolvers of this model were also made for .32 New Police and .38 New Police cartridges. The barrel length was 51 mm, and the total length of the weapon was 171 mm. In addition to the standard Detective Special with a 51 mm barrel, a modification with a 76 mm long barrel was produced in small quantities. Revolvers of the first and second series are most highly valued by collectors, especially when the weapon itself, the coating and the grip cheeks are in excellent condition. Currently, this weapon can be purchased in the United States from 300 to 600 dollars in a standard version. The amount depends on technical condition revolver and coating. Various exclusive options can cost up to $2,000 or more.

Pictured is a Model 3 Detective Special manufactured in 1947, along with two boxes of .38 Special ammo. Revolvers different years release and related to different models, however, may have certain features of other models. Identification of a particular specimen is carried out primarily by the year of manufacture and the main difference of any model.

Revolvers produced from 1947 to 1966. They are distinguished by a front sight with a bevel of the upper rear part, which replaced the semicircular “halfmoon”, and are classified as a third model. The surfaces began to be treated with mirror polishing followed by the application of black bluing, instead of satin and blue bluing. In 1954-1955 began to produce revolvers with plastic grip cheeks, which, however, did not supplant wooden ones. The fourth model was produced from 1966 to 1972. Its main feature is the shortened handle, introduced in 1966. However, by installing long wooden cheeks that covered the lower part of the handle, it was possible to increase its length. Of course, if there was a need for it.

The main feature of the fourth model Detective Special, like this 1969 revolver, is the shortened grip, introduced in 1966. However, by installing long wooden cheeks that covered the lower part of the handle, it was possible to increase its length if necessary.

Detective Special fourth model

The fifth model (fifth model) was produced from 1972 to 1987. The weapon received a casing for the extractor axis, hiding and protecting it from damage from almost all sides. The shape of the front sight was significantly changed, the flat upper edge of which starts from the connection of the barrel with the frame, and the leading edge coincides with the edge of the muzzle of the barrel. The cheeks of the handle began to be made completely wraparound, that is, they covered the steel handle from the back, sides, front and bottom. In the fifth model, it is possible to use powerful +P cartridges with up to 3000 rounds fired, after which it is necessary to check the technical condition of the weapon. The surfaces were treated with bluing or nickel plating. In the early 1980s. The manufacturer introduced a new nickel coating obtained by chemical reduction (electroless nickel) under the name “Coltguard”, which is often confused with stainless steel.

The photo shows a nickel-plated Detective Special of the fifth model, produced from 1972 to 1987. In this model, the weapon received a casing for the extractor axis, hiding and protecting it from damage from almost all sides. The shape of the front sight was significantly changed, the flat upper edge of which starts from the connection of the barrel with the frame, and the leading edge coincides with the edge of the muzzle of the barrel.

The fifth model includes the Detective Special version with phosphated surface treatment, produced in 1984 - 1985. These revolvers were called Commando Special to distinguish them from the Commando version of the Colt Official Police revolver from World War II. Production of the fifth model was discontinued in 1987 due to the famous conflict between the manufacturing company and the union and a four-year strike. It was a difficult time for the company, coupled with declining sales of its products. As a result of the crisis, the production of many models of personal weapons for the civilian market was discontinued. However, it should be noted that despite all the difficulties, the Colt company was reorganized and two of its divisions are currently operating - Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, which produces weapons for the civilian market, and Colt Defense, which operates in the weapons market for law enforcement agencies and the armed forces. strength

Production of Detective Special was resumed only in 1993 and lasted two years. The revolvers were produced only in gunmetal steel with a satin blue bluing finish and were equipped with Pachmayr plastic wraparound grips with signature Colt medallions on both sides. In 1995, the SF-VI model was introduced. The abbreviation stands for “Small Frame six shot”. This option is usually called the sixth model. From the old Detective Special, the revolver that replaced them differs in a shortened front sight and a slightly different extractor axis head, without a groove, as well as an enlarged protrusion of the drum lock with a vertical notch on its front surface. This revolver was originally designed to fire powerful +P cartridges.

The SF-VI revolver, also called the sixth model by collectors, was introduced by Colt in 1995. From the old Detective Special, the SF-VI that replaced them differs in a shortened front sight and a slightly different extractor axis head, without a groove, as well as an enlarged protrusion of the drum lock with a vertical notch on its front surface.

In famed director Raoul Walsh's 1949 quirky gangster action film Noir, White Hot, actor Steve Cochran as Big Ed (right) wields a Detective Special. The gangster on the left is carrying a Colt New Service full-size revolver, which was popular at the time.

James Cagney plays psychopathic gangster Cody Jarrett, who is guided and mentored into crime by his mom Margaret Wycherley. Cody ends up in prison, but the gang continues to operate free. Cody soon escapes with other inmates, unaware that one of them is an undercover cop.

For the most part, the SF-VI is a hybrid of the Detective Special revolvers and some features of the Mk III revolver. One of the main design differences between the SF-VI and earlier Detective Special variants is that the firing pin is housed in the frame rather than the hammer. The trigger can influence the firing pin, transferring its energy to it, only through the safety transmission rod, which rises when the hammer is cocked. Only in this case does the firing pin initiate the cartridge primer. At the same time, the SF-VI was still equipped with a double-plate mainspring, and not a screw spring, like the rest of the company’s revolvers. The early SF-VIs had the lowest self-cocking trigger pull of any Colt revolver ever produced. Too little force was the cause of reliability problems. However, the manufacturer soon responded by replacing the trigger springs on the corresponding examples. Overall, SF-VIs have wonderful character trigger operation, with excellent smoothness, superior in this parameter to the pre-war Detective Special.

A variant with a 102 mm barrel was produced in very small quantities. The revolver was made of stainless steel with surface treatment by polishing, either to a low roughness or to a mirror finish. In addition, in a small edition, with a sandblasted matte finish. The weapon was equipped with plastic handles that completely wrapped around the cheeks with a recess for the little finger. Production of the SF-VI was discontinued in 1996. In the same year, the company released another limited edition version of the Detective Special - the Special Lady revolver, equipped only with a self-cocking trigger mechanism (DAO - double action only) and a trigger without a spoke. Special Lady were made of stainless steel with surfaces polished to a mirror finish. On the left side of the barrel of such revolvers there is the inscription “Colt Special Lady”. This option is not included in the general model line. The Special Lady is now highly sought after by collectors due to its rarity.

Colt DS-II 76mm and 51mm barrels are designed to fire powerful +P cartridges. The DS-II never became a successful replacement for the previously highly popular “snub-nosed” Colt. Buyers focused on compact revolvers from this legendary manufacturer, in most cases, wanted to get a model closer to the classic Detective Special.

The main feature of the Magnum Carry revolver was the use of a powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, which has a reputation as one of the most effective cartridges for personal short-barreled weapons due to the high stopping power of the bullet. The revolver itself, announced by Colt in 1998, is based on the design and construction of the DS-II. Its frame was strengthened due to the increased power of the ammunition used, and for ease of holding and better control of the weapon when shooting, the Magnum Carry was equipped with ergonomic volumetric grip cheeks.

In 1997, the next version of the Detective Special was presented at the Shot Show, designated DS-II, which is usually referred to as the seventh model. The weapon is basically the same as the previous SF-VI, but has a slightly higher trigger pull. Like the SF-VI, the DS-II revolver is also designed to fire +P cartridges. It was produced with 51 mm long barrels and, much less frequently, 76 mm long. The surface treatment of steel weapon parts included bluing and chrome plating, as well as polishing in the stainless steel version. The DS-II was discontinued in 1998. This model was not popular, since buyers focused on compact Colt revolvers, in most cases, wanted to get a model closer to the classic Detective Special.

In 1998, a new Magnum Carry revolver was announced, based on the design and design of the DS-II. Production of the Magnum Carry began in 1999. This revolver is classified as the eighth model. It was created for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, as a result, in order to increase strength when using a more powerful cartridge, the frame of the revolver was reinforced in the upper part. For ease of holding and better control of the weapon when shooting, Magnum Carry was equipped with voluminous wooden handles with grooves for the fingers. The weapon was made of stainless steel with surfaces polished, matte, or with a mirror finish. Its production was discontinued in the same 1999, like the rest of the company's revolvers, including the famous Colt Python. Total from 1927 to 1995 No more than 450,000 Detective Special revolvers were produced. In addition to the listed models, based on the Colt Detective Special design, the Cobra revolvers, with a lightweight aluminum frame, and the Agent, with a lightweight frame and a shortened handle, were created and produced. However, they are not included in this classification.

In 1950, based on the Colt Detective Special design, Cobra revolvers with a lightweight aluminum frame were created and produced. The Cobra revolvers fired the same .38 and .32 caliber cartridges as the Detective Special. This weapon left its mark on American history. From an early version of the Colt Cobra On November 24, 1963, Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, who was detained on suspicion of assassinating US President John F. Kennedy, at a police station.

The nickel plated Colt Cobra revolver shown here looks great paired with the custom light wood grips installed by the gun's owner. Weighing only about 425 g, the Koltovsky Cobra is excellent for concealed carry, especially in tandem with a properly selected holster. This convenient and reliable six-shooter remains popular and in demand on the civilian arms market in the United States.

The Colt Agent revolver, whose production began in 1962, like the Cobra, has a frame made of a light alloy based on aluminum, but unlike it, the Agent handle is shorter, which is made for compactness and concealment when worn. The main distinguishing feature of this model is its lower cost compared to Cobra and Detective Special, reduced mainly due to the use of a matte coating that is less expensive to produce.

In view of the difficulties in identifying models, taking into account the so-called “transitional options”, which have features of different models, for collectors, Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC has published a list of serial numbers in accordance with the years of production. You can also find out the year of manufacture of the revolver by its serial number in archive department of the Colt company by phone. More detailed information can be obtained by written request with a description of the revolver, including the serial number, barrel length, type of coating, as well as a photo of the weapon itself. Of course, this is a paid service.

Deadly lead

It is necessary to briefly mention the recommendations regarding the use of cartridges of different powers. In Detective Special revolvers produced from 1927 to 1972, that is, the first, second, third and fourth models, in order to avoid damage to the weapon, it is not recommended to use +P cartridges that have an increased maximum pressure in the bore when fired, which in such cartridges exceeds standard ones values by approximately 10%. Weapons of this period are not intended to use these cartridges and firing them can lead to the destruction of the revolver. Starting from the fifth model, +P cartridges can be used, but it is recommended to shoot them as rarely as possible, and it is necessary to regularly, at intervals of every 3000 shots, carry out an examination of the technical condition of the weapon for possible damage and depletion of service life. For target practice, with any model, it is recommended to use only standard pressure ammunition, and when carrying, effective, powerful +P ammunition.

Cartridges.38 Special with hollow point (Hollow Point), shell (Full Metal Jacket), and shellless (Semi Wadcutter)

Speaking of +P cartridges, two options deserve special attention out of all the weapons on the market today. These are FBI load cartridges (Russian “FBI cartridge”) and New York load (Russian “New York cartridge”). FBI load, also designated .38 Special FBI load LSWCHP +P (Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point), received its name due to its adoption by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1972. This happened almost immediately after the start of its production by Winchester. This cartridge was also adopted by police departments in almost all states, including the department of Miami and Chicago, where it is still used. The cartridge is equipped with a powder charge of increased power, with a maximum pressure of +P, and a non-sheathed expansive 10.2 g bullet. This bullet works well, opening upon impact even if the weapon has a short 51 mm long barrel. Today FBI load is produced by Winchester and Remington.

The New York load, or Speer NYPD load, was developed by order of the New York City Police Department, which turned to the Speer company, since most of its employees used compact revolvers chambered for the .38 Special cartridge as a backup weapon, as well as off duty. Under the leadership of Ernst Duram, a cartridge was designed, equipped with an expansive 8.7 g Gold Dot bullet with a large expressive void and having a shell, unlike the FBI load LSWCHP +P, as well as a powerful powder charge, giving it a high initial speed. In the civilian market, an analogue of this cartridge is sold as the .38 Special +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel. The use of a lighter bullet produces less recoil than the FBI Cartridge, and its modern design ensures reliable expansion to a significant diameter. Practice and statistics of numerous cases of using this cartridge have shown the high stopping power of its bullet, both when firing from service revolvers with a 102-mm barrel length, and from “snubbies” with 51-mm barrels.

Cartridge.38 Special +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, better known as New York load - “New York cartridge”

Of these two cartridges, the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel is the most preferable for short-barreled revolvers, primarily due to less recoil and tossing of the weapon when fired, which ultimately increases the accuracy of high-speed shooting. With them you can shoot doublets very accurately. Another advantage of the Speer cartridge is the bullet jacket, which better holds the bullet in the case. This prevents the bullet from coming out of the cartridge case when firing powerful cartridges from light revolvers, jamming the drum. As a result, the .38 Special +P Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel can be considered best choice for the "snubbies" revolvers of today.

Private detectives, bootleggers, FBI agents, police officers, films and myths...

And let's return to the revolver again. Since the late 1920s. and before the boom in 9mm self-loading pistols among police officers and ordinary citizens in the 1970s, the Detective Special enjoyed great popularity as great choice as a concealed weapon. It was the standard carry weapon of the FBI for decades, as well as many other federal agents, police department detectives, private investigators and anyone else who regularly carried a concealed weapon on their person under a coat or jacket, rather than carrying it openly in a standard holster. FBI agents received extensive training in handling "snubbies" and using short-barreled revolvers to reliably and quickly engage an enemy at short range. These workouts were developed in the 1930s. famous shooter Ed McGivern.

The photo shows a Model 3 Detective Special with ivory grips and a walnut case. At arms auctions, it is not uncommon to find items with highly artistic engravings, the price of which, as a rule, starts at 1,500 USD.

In addition to plainclothes police officers, FBI agents, private detectives and just gun enthusiasts, Detective Special, due to its popularity, can be seen in many films, including charismatic films in the noir style. The Colt Detective Special was one of the first compact, short-barreled .38 revolvers that are now considered classics, and is the most famous of them. He starred as gun-toting private detectives and police officers in films of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, starring such legendary actors as Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne and Jack Webb. Classic films from Detective Special are: The Death Kiss (1932); Bullets or Ballots (1936); Escape by Night (1937); Bulldog Drummond in Africa (1938); The Roaring Twenties (1939); City for Conquest (1940); The Big Sleep (1946); The Hat Box Mystery (1947); Fear in the Night (1947); White Heat (1949); A Bullet For Joey (1955); Pretty Boy Floyd (1960); Sudden Impact (1983); Once Upon a Time in America (1984); The Untouchables (1987); Black Rain (1989); L.A. Confidential (1997); The Mexican (2001); The Matador (2005); Public Enemies (2009).

David "Noodle" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) is looking for an escaped gangster with his Colt Detective Special. Sergio Leone's famous crime drama Once Upon a Time in America, filmed in 1984.

Popularity with the police and on screens only contributed to everything more growth sales on the civilian arms market. This revolver was perceived mainly as a concealed weapon for a police officer, the so-called “a cop gun,” and often many who carried the Detective Special were perceived as plainclothes police officers. Colt Detective Special revolvers were also called “belly guns,” that is, weapons worn without a holster in the belt, near the stomach. “Belly guns” also means shooting in self-defense almost point-blank, without aiming, when the weapon is held at the waist. As a rule, this meant a compact revolver. Until the end of the 1960s. The Colt Detective Special was the most popular short-barreled revolver in the United States.

In this story, it is worth mentioning one unique Detective Special. Sometimes weapons as a whole and individual copies of them become part of one or another myth. “Vampire Exterminator Gun” is an engraved revolver of the “fifth model”, produced from 1972 to 1987, made in a single copy, just fit into the myth of vampires. The weapon was decorated and silver plated by Colt master engraver Leonard Francolini in 1975. Three-dimensional engraving depicts bats and dragons. Even the traditional Colt rearing stallion, which is the symbol and trademark of the company, has a very unusual design - the stallion rises from the coffin... The handle is equipped with smooth ebony cheeks with two small silver inserts in the lower part of the left cheek of the handle. They depict bats and, like the notches on the butt of a used sniper rifle, indicate the number of victories won over the enemy using this weapon. On the surface of the muzzle of the barrel, which smoothly turns into the front sight and the extractor axis housing, there is an image of a Christian cross. The very name of the revolver roughly translates as “vampire exterminator,” and for “eradication,” in addition to the revolver itself, it includes a set of devices useful for this purpose.

“Vampire Exterminator Gun” is a very impressive Colt Detective Special Model 5 revolver, made in a single copy. This unique weapon features a superb 3D vampire themed engraving by Leonard Francolini in 1975. One of the decorative elements - silver inserts in the lower part of the left cheek of the handle, depict bats and, like the notches on the butt of a sniper rifle that has been “in use”, indicate the number of victories won over the enemy using this weapon.

The weapon is placed in a box made of ebony by craftsman Jeffrey Brundidge from Missouri. The upholstery is made in French style from corduroy fabric in a dark scarlet color reminiscent of blood. It has a recess for the revolver itself, as well as for a silver bottle with the inscription “holy water” and a cleaning rod with an ebony handle. This handle can also be used for a wooden pike. The “kit” also includes a mirror made in the shape of a coffin lid, designed to recognize the enemy, since according to legend, a vampire is not reflected in a mirror and is afraid of it. The small compartment holds six .38 Special cartridges arranged in a cross, the silver bullets of which are made in the shape of the head of the famous Count Dracula. The box also contains two fired bullets with traces of rifling in the bore. It can be assumed that it was with these bullets that the two victories indicated on the handle were won. Unfortunately, there are not enough high-quality photographs of such a unique weapon. The "Vampire Exterminator Gun" was auctioned at Butterfield & Butterfield in San Francisco, California. Regardless of whether vampires exist or not, who they really are and how they are treated, without a doubt, this revolver is one of the most mysterious and beautiful creations of modern gunsmiths.

Competitors and confrontation with the “amazing nines”

Speaking about the popularity of Detective Special, we should also mention its rivals in the weapons market. Smith & Wesson, which has always been Colt's most serious competitor, did not even try to create and produce such a six-shot compact revolver. Instead, beginning in 1950, Smith & Wesson focused on five-shot models that were slightly narrower in width. This was the famous Model 36 Chief's Special revolver, and then the Model 60, made of stainless steel. The Chief's Special was presented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police - IACP conference held in Colorado Springs in October 1950. Guided by marketing considerations, the manufacturer gave this model the name Chief's Special, which loosely translated means “Special for the Chief.” This weapon positioned as a spare, worn by a police officer in addition to the main service full-size revolver or pistol. Chief's Special quickly began to gain popularity due to the excellent combination of compactness, lightness, shooting accuracy, High Quality, reliability and, ultimately, a strong manufacturer brand. Soon, based on this model, many different versions were created, differing mainly in the material of manufacture and the design of the trigger mechanism.

The Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special five-shot revolver has been the main competitor to the Colt Detective Special since 1950. This revolver has an excellent combination of compactness, lightness, accuracy, high quality, and of course reliability. Soon, many different models were created based on this model options.

The Chief's Special, which arrived in gun stores, quickly found their buyers and became one of the most popular revolvers in the 1950s and 1960s. Modern compact Smith & Wesson revolvers created on their basis are the most popular representatives of such weapons, both among civilians and and among police officers. By and large, with smaller dimensions, Smith & Wesson's Chief's Special was inferior to the Colt Detective Special only in the drum capacity being smaller by one cartridge. At the same time, the Detective Special remained a desirable acquisition for concealed carry and a revolver with an excellent reputation, but its production volumes were significantly smaller. From 1950 to 1969 786,544 Chief's Special revolvers were produced, and approximately 41,400 units per year. In the period from 1927 to 1970, only 350,000 Detective Special revolvers were manufactured, and approximately 8,140 copies were produced per year during this period.

A typical representative of the “amazing nines” is self-loading pistol Sig Sauer P226 with a magazine capacity of 15 rounds, a double-action trigger mechanism, no manually operated safeties and equipped with a safety decocking lever. This weapon has an excellent reputation among both civilians and police in the USA and Europe. The P226 is considered one of the best 9mm steel frame pistols, which in an era of widespread use of polymers in weapons can already be considered a classic.

But even in the face of such a conservative love of Americans for revolvers, progress caused a decrease in demand for “snubbies” revolvers. In the 1970s Police departments began to increasingly purchase 9mm repeating pistols with double action triggers. Such pistols began to quickly gain popularity in the civilian arms market. In the USA they began to be called “wonder nines”, that is, “amazing nines”. These are self-loading pistols chambered for 9mm Parabellum with a large magazine capacity, double action trigger mechanisms (DA/SA - double action / single action), equipped with reliable fuses, including automatic ones, and also, often, with lightweight alloy or polymer frames . “Wonder nines” soon replaced revolvers from police holsters, and began to be in increasing demand among ordinary citizens who wanted to get an effective modern weapon with great firepower.

The Detective Special, like all revolvers, was significantly inferior to repeating pistols in terms of firepower, as well as in the accuracy of rapid fire. The latter circumstance is dictated, as a rule, by a longer stroke and trigger force, since on most pistols the hammer or firing pin is cocked automatically when the bolt-casing moves back. But, as time has shown, not everything is so clear with the advantages of pistols. A complete abandonment of revolvers, especially compact ones, never happened. No matter how advanced self-loading pistols become, such as Glock, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Heckler und Koch, Walther, Smith & Wesson, Kel-Tec or Kahr, firearms buyers for self-defense still often prefer to purchase revolvers. And for this, consumers of compact personal weapons, who have a huge choice today, have serious reasons. The superior firepower is justified in full-size models carried as a primary weapon. If we are talking about compacts for concealed carry, then the difference of three or four rounds is not so fundamental. In a quick firefight at a minimum distance, six rounds is enough.

The supposedly long reloading of revolvers is just a myth, since a number of devices have long been created and successfully used to speed up loading. These are the so-called “speedloaders”, which are grips that hold six or five rounds of cartridges by the edges, depending on their intended use with a particular revolver model. After the cartridges are placed in the chambers of the drum, they are released and the drum returns to the frame. In practice this is done very quickly. The reloading speed of revolvers using loading accelerators is not inferior to pistols with their magazines. As for accuracy when conducting high-speed shooting, here again everything is decided by the distance to the target. Compact personal weapons for concealed carry do not require extremely high accuracy, which makes pistols and revolvers equal in this aspect.

In addition, a revolver has an undeniable advantage over pistols in terms of its demands on the cartridges used. In particular, the shape of the bullet. If some hollow-point bullets sometimes cause delays in firing pistols due to sticking, then for the drum chamber it makes no difference what configuration the head of the bullet has. The same applies to the mass of bullets. Revolvers are not picky about the quality of cartridges. Plus, the owner can always determine the presence of cartridges in the drum by external inspection or tactilely, without the need to manipulate weapon parts or use a second hand. You can also determine whether the hammer is cocked. Delays in firing revolvers, in most cases, are caused by misfire due to a poor-quality cartridge primer. It’s easy to eliminate such a delay in a revolver - by pressing the trigger again, almost instantly and guaranteed to fire a shot. No pistol will provide such an opportunity during a delay. It is not recommended to try to re-initiate the primer of a defective cartridge in pistols due to the high probability of repeated failure of the primer.

Many still prefer to carry pistols equipped with manually operated safety levers, while there is a huge selection of excellent modern models with reliable automatic ones. Flag safeties, even with regular training, significantly complicate the handling of weapons, especially in extreme situations. Not to mention inexperienced owners. In a revolver, there is no need to waste precious time searching for a small part and manipulating it, since the safety pin is simply not needed there. You just need to remove the weapon from the holster, aim and shoot. Of course, at the same time, “snub-nosed” revolvers cannot compare with modern compact 9-mm pistols in terms of the overall width of the weapon due to limitations dictated by the design itself, or rather the drum. But this problem can be solved simply - by individually carefully selecting a suitable holster that will suit your needs. specific owner provide both invisibility and convenience during constant concealed carry.

"Grandfather's revolver" remains in service

For those for whom the Detective Special was intended, it remains an excellent weapon - reliable, convenient, accurate in shooting and easy to handle. With the ever-increasing popularity of concealed carry compacts in the United States and, more recently, Europe, the old-fashioned but reliable Colt Detective Special, with its excellent reputation, is a serious alternative to many of today's leading handgun brands. Especially for those who want to constantly have a loaded weapon with them, while at the same time, as far as possible, trouble-free operation, safe, the simplest and most accurate.

Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) aims a Detective Special at one of Capone's gangsters in the 1987 film The Untouchables.

Brian De Palma's film takes place in the 1930s, during Prohibition, the Great Depression, and the rise of the mafia, which reached deep into the corruption-ridden power structures of Chicago. To combat organized crime and one of the most influential mafiosi, Alphonse Capone, the FBI creates a special unit, later nicknamed “The Untouchables” by journalists. It was headed by a young but promising agent Eliot Ness, an exemplary family man, ready to give his life for the sake of the rule of law.

The Blued Model 5 Colt Detective Specials shown in these photos allow you to shoot powerful +P ammo without the risk of destroying the gun. But after reaching 3000 shots, it is necessary to check the technical condition of the weapon.

American police officers for most of the 20th century preferred to carry short-barreled .38s as a backup weapon while on duty, and as a primary, concealed weapon when off duty. But what is the situation today, in the era of the use of high technologies of the space age in the production of weapons, and numerous advances in the field of ergonomics, reduction in size and weight while using fairly powerful cartridges? Changes certainly take place, but not dramatic ones. Many older lawmen, such as the Chicago and New York City police departments, still carry the old .38-caliber snubbies they inherited from their father or grandfather. The same is true outside of work.

When choosing a weapon, a lot depends on personal preferences, some prefer modern ultra-light models, such as the lightweight and compact five-shot Smith & Wesson M&P 340 with an aluminum-scandium frame, a hidden hammer and equipped only with a self-cocking trigger mechanism, which has a very smooth action and a small trigger pull. Some use the old and proven Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief's Special, also with a five-round drum, but with a durable steel frame. Or modern steel Smith & Wesson Model 640 or Model 649. However, many choose six-shooters , wanting to have a reliable and durable weapon with large resource. In this case, the choice often stops at one of the good old Colt Detective Special options. An excellent revolver, high quality, reliable, accurate, comfortable, great looking and with an excellent reputation earned by over 80 years of faithful service to its owners. In the United States it is usually called the "grandfather's revolver", like the Nagan revolver in Russia.

One of the best representatives of modern compact revolvers is the Smith & Wesson M&P 340. The weapon has an aluminum-scandium frame, a hidden hammer and is equipped only with a self-cocking trigger mechanism, which has excellent smoothness and a low trigger pull. The M&P 340 is extremely lightweight and compact. This five-shot revolver chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge is convenient and comfortable for constant concealed carry, not burdensome and easy to handle for its owner. Of course, such a lightweight revolver, weighing only 414 g, has strong recoil, but it is not intended for sport shooting, since it is primarily a self-defense weapon. This specimen is equipped with rubber grip cheeks with a built-in laser designator.

Currently, one of the most popular and best-selling compact five-shot revolvers with a short barrel is the Smith & Wesson Model 640. Many call it the best pocket revolver ever produced, thanks to its excellent combination of qualities such as compactness, ease of use, reliability, and accuracy. and convenience. The modern S&W Model 640 is based on the design and design of a number of the company's earlier revolvers. The main feature of this model is the hidden trigger, which eliminates the possibility that the trigger spoke will catch on clothing when removing the weapon, especially when carried in a pocket. In 1952, the Smith-Wesson gunsmiths took as a basis the concept of combining only a self-cocking trigger with a hidden trigger and the automatic handle safety of the old Safety Hammerless and combined it with a compact frame, a durable and fairly small-sized drum for five rounds, as well as a short “snub” barrel Chief's Special model. This weapon, which received the name Centennial in honor of the company's centenary, used the popular cartridge. 38 Special. Today, the most popular descendant of the Centennial is the S&W Model 640 revolver with a stainless steel frame and without an automatic grip safety, which uses powerful .357 Magnum cartridges.

Smith & Wesson revolver with hidden hammer and unusual shape The frame, also known as the Bodyguard, was originally introduced as the Bodyguard Airweight with an alloy frame in 1955. Like the snub-nosed Colt, this model used .38 Special cartridges. The weapon combined the advantages of the Chief's Special and Centennial models. The trigger, hidden by the side protrusions of the frame, did not cling to clothing when removed, but the trigger spoke protrudes beyond the frame, due to which the shooter has the opportunity to cock the trigger manually in order to fire an accurate shot in the mode single action. The model was numbered 38 in 1957. A steel frame version, designated Model 49 Bodyguard, was introduced in 1959. The Model 649 appeared in 1985. This weapon received a stainless steel frame in 1997. was discontinued in favor of the 649 revolver, which uses .357 Magnum cartridges and is currently in production.

Accuracy plays an important role in the process of choosing a revolver or pistol. Of course, you should not expect high shooting accuracy from the Detective Special at a distance of 23 meters, as in full-size revolvers with a 102 mm barrel length, as well as those equipped with a micrometric rear sight. But it was never intended for this. This is a self-defense weapon for close combat, in which the maximum distance is 5 - 6 meters, and most often less than 2. In addition, many shooters believe that if the barrel is short, then the shooting accuracy is low, but this is not entirely true. It all depends on the quality of workmanship, fit of parts, comfort of the handle and the correct choice of cartridges. Not to mention the correct “grip” and “handling” of the trigger, which depend on the shooter himself. If all these components are present, even a compact revolver with a short barrel shoots with high accuracy, but, of course, does not pretend to have sporting performance. However, anyone can achieve excellent results with their Detective Special at 6, 9 or 14 meters. For example, one of the owners, when shooting from a rest at a distance of 23 meters in single action mode, received a minimum dispersion diameter of only 38 mm! This is very high accuracy for a weapon with a 51 mm barrel. In addition, according to the majority of owners of various versions of the Detective Special, they are generally superior in accuracy to the same Smith & Wesson Chief's Special and are one of the most accurate “snubbies”.

This photo shows a fifth model revolver with non-standard grip cheeks. The Detective Special has good balance and is easy to control when shooting. The recoil does not “dry” the hand and does not tire the shooter as much as it does with modern revolvers that have light alloy frames, and especially those that fire powerful .357 Magnum cartridges. The Detective Special is simply easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable to shoot.

The fifth model Colt Detective Special, produced from 1972 to 1987, is distinguished by an extractor axle housing, a front sight shape with a flat top edge, and wrap-type grip cheeks.

The handle with wraparound cheeks is very comfortable to hold, and the trigger mechanism works excellently - the trigger stroke is smooth, light and not very long. The Detective Special has good balance and is easy to control when shooting. It is distinguished not only by high accuracy during leisurely shooting, but also by the accuracy of “instinctive” shooting offhand. One of best qualities and a very significant advantage of revolvers chambered for the .38 Special cartridge is a very small toss when fired. This makes it comfortable to shoot from and produces very dense bursts during high-speed shooting. At the same time, the recoil does not “dry” the hand and does not tire the shooter as much as it does with modern revolvers that have light alloy frames, and especially those that fire powerful .357 Magnum cartridges.

The six-shot Detective Special, with its steel frame and fairly massive barrel, is more stable to shoot than the latest aluminum-scandium framed revolvers. The Detective Special is simply easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable to shoot. In terms of efficiency and stopping power of the bullet, today the .38 Special cartridge, like other ammunition for short-barreled weapons, has achieved very good results thanks to the use of new hollow-point bullets. Currently, US citizens receiving a license to carry weapons often prefer short-barreled 38-caliber “snubbies” revolvers to modern 9-mm self-loading pistols. These include the famous “snub-nosed” Colt. And with the growing popularity of concealed carry of compact weapons, the old-school, reliable and accurate Detective Special revolvers still continue to protect their owners with six rounds in their cylinder.

Colt's idea of creating a revolver was prompted by observations of a rotating mechanism on the ship Corvo, on which he traveled from Boston to Calcutta. On board the Corvo, he made a model out of wood; upon returning to the United States, Colt applied to the patent office and issued patent No. 1304 dated August 29 (according to other sources, February 25), 1836, describing the basic principle of operation of a weapon with a rotating drum.

In late 1836, Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in Paterson, New Jersey began production of Colt's five-shot, .28-caliber cap revolvers, sold under the name Colt Paterson. In total, until 1842, 1,450 revolving rifles and carbines, 462 revolving shotguns and 2,350 revolvers were produced. Naturally, all weapons were percussion caps. The first samples were characterized by low reliability, regular breakdowns and a very imperfect design, not to mention the extremely unsafe and inconvenient reloading process. Not surprisingly, the US government showed little interest in the new weapon. The Army purchased only a few revolver carbines for testing. The largest customer for Colt's company was the Republic of Texas, which bought 180 revolving shotguns and rifles for the Rangers, and about the same number of revolvers for the Texas Navy. A number of revolvers (of a more powerful caliber - .36) were ordered privately by the Texas Rangers themselves with their own money. Low demand in 1842 led to the bankruptcy of the factory.

Colt Paterson made 1836-1838 (still without loading rod)

Thus, the most popular Colt Paterson revolver model produced in Paterson was the No. 5 Holster, also known as Texas Paterson, a .36 caliber revolver. About 1,000 units were produced. Half of them occurred in the period from 1842 to 1847, after bankruptcy. Their production was established by Colt's creditor and former partner John Ehlers.

Colt Paterson 1836-1838 with the trigger retracted

One of the most significant conflicts involving the use of Colt Paterson revolvers was the Battle of Bander Pass between the Mexican Army and Texas Rangers, among whom was US Army Captain Samuel Walker. Later, during the Mexican-American War, Walker met Colt and together with him modified the Colt Paterson revolver, called the Colt Walker. There was good demand for it, since the Colt Walker was much more reliable and convenient than its predecessor. Thanks to this, Colt returned to developing weapons in 1847.

Texas Rangers

From a technical point of view, the Colt Paterson is a five-shot open-frame revolver. Single action trigger mechanism (English Single Action, SA) with a trigger folding inside the body. Each time you fire, you have to cock the hammer. The revolver is loaded from the muzzle of the chambers - with gunpowder and a bullet (round or conical) or with a ready-made cartridge in a paper sleeve containing a bullet and gunpowder.

.44 caliber paper cartridges and loading tool

Capsules (still produced today - for lovers of such weapons)

Then a primer is placed on the brand tube in the breech of the drum - a miniature cup made of soft metal (usually brass) with a small charge of shock-sensitive fulminate of mercury. On impact, the charge explodes and creates a jet of flame, which, through a fire tube, ignites the powder charge in the chamber. Everything that has been said about the principles of operation of such weapons applies to all other capsule revolvers.

Sights consist of a front sight and a rear sight on the trigger. Loading of early models of Colt Paterson revolvers, produced before 1839, was carried out only by partially disassembling it and removing the drum, using a special tool - essentially a small press for pressing bullets into the chambers of the drum.

This process was long and inconvenient, especially in the field. Not only was reloading the Colt Paterson unsafe, but carrying it was also unsafe, as there were no manual safeties. To speed up reloading, gunfighters usually carried several pre-loaded drums with them and simply changed them as needed. In later models, from 1839, the design featured a built-in pressing lever-ramrod and a special hole in the front of the frame for it. This mechanism made it possible to significantly speed up and simplify reloading - now it was possible to load the drum without removing it from the revolver. This improvement made it possible to get rid of the additional tool, and from that time on the ramrod lever became an integral element of the design of almost all Colt capsule revolvers.

Colt Paterson made 1842-1847 with a shortened barrel and a ramrod lever for loading

initial bullet speed, m/s - 270;
sighting range, m - 60;
weight, kg - 1.2;
length, mm - 350.

So, the first Colt Paterson revolvers were actively used by the Rangers and the Navy of the Republic of Texas, and were used very limitedly by the US Army. Colt Paterson was used in clashes between the Republic of Texas and Mexico, in the Mexican-American War, and in the US war with the Seminole and Comanche tribes.

Such revolvers are very highly valued today. Colt Paterson in original box with all accessories sold at auction in 2011 for $977,500

Colt Walker

The Colt Walker was developed in 1846 by Samuel Colt and Texas Ranger Captain Samuel Hamilton Walker. According to the widespread version, Walker suggested that Colt develop a powerful .44 caliber army revolver instead of the relatively weak and not very reliable Colt Paterson .36 caliber revolvers then in service. In 1847, the newly formed Colt's Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut (where it remains to this day) produced the first batch of 1,100 Colt Walker revolvers, which also became the last. That same year, Samuel Walker was killed in Texas during the Mexican-American War.

The Colt Walker is a six-shot, open-frame, capsule-operated revolver with an added trigger guard. The Colt Walker is Colt's largest black powder revolver, weighing 2.5 kilograms. From this moment on, all “non-pocket” models of Colt capsule revolvers became six-shooters.

Some performance characteristics of Colt Walker caliber .44:

initial bullet speed, m/s - 300-370;
sighting range, m - 90-100;
weight, kg - 2.5;
length, mm - 394.

The Colt Walker was used by both sides in the North-South War.

Colt Walker

Colt Dragoon Model 1848

The Colt Model 1848 Precision Army revolver was designed by Samuel Colt in 1848 at the request of the US government to arm the U.S. Army's Mounted Rifles, better known in the US as dragoons. Hence its name, under which the revolver went down in history - Colt Dragoon Model 1848. In this model, a number of shortcomings of the previous Colt Walker model were eliminated - the Colt Dragoon had less weight and a ramrod lock was added.

Colt Dragoon Model 1848

There were three releases of the Colt Dragoon model, differing from each other by minor improvements in the firing mechanism:

first issue: from 1848 to 1850 about 7,000 were issued;
second issue: from 1850 to 1851 about 2,550 were issued;
Third issue: From 1851 to 1860, approximately 10,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers were produced, of which the US government purchased more than 8,000 units.

Thus, the Colt Dragoon was produced for 12 years. The Colt company produced about 20,000 of these revolvers. The Colt Dragoon turned out to be a very successful revolver.

Holster and belt for Colt Dragoon Model 1848

Separately, it is worth noting the release since 1848 of its pocket version, the Colt Pocket Model 1848 caliber .31, better known as the Baby Dragoon, especially popular among civilians.

Some performance characteristics of the Colt Dragoon Model 1848 caliber .44, with a barrel length of 8 inches:

initial bullet speed, m/s - 330;
weight, kg - 1.9;
length, mm - 375.

The Colt Dragoon Model 1848 was used by the US and Confederate armies in the War of the North and South. A significant portion was sold to civilians.

Colt Pocket Model 1848 Baby Dragoon

Colt Navy 1851

The Colt Revolving Belt Pistol of Naval Caliber revolver (caliber 36), better known as the Colt Navy 1851, was developed by Colt specifically for arming US Navy officers. Colt Navy turned out to be such a successful model that its production continued until 1873 (from 1861 - Colt Navy Model 1861), when armies around the world switched en masse to a unitary cartridge. The Colt Navy was in production for a record 18 years in various models, with approximately 250,000 of them produced in the United States. A further 22,000 units were manufactured in the UK at the London Armory factory. The Colt Navy is considered one of the most advanced and beautiful capsule revolvers in history.

Colt Navy 1851

The trigger mechanism has been improved: a special pin is made in the breech of the drum between the chambers, thanks to which, if the drum is not turned enough, accidental firing of the trigger does not cause ignition of the capsules. The Colt Navy has an octagonal barrel.

Colt Navy 1851 revolvers were in service not only with the US Army, where their main competitor was the Remington M1858 revolver, but also with army officers of the Russian Empire (which ordered a large batch from Colt), Austria-Hungary, Prussia and other countries.

Some performance characteristics of Colt Navy 1851 caliber .36:

initial bullet speed, m/s - 230;
sighting range, m - 70-75;
weight, kg - 1.2-1.3;
length, mm - 330.

Colt Navy was actively used by both sides in the war between the North and South. It became the first capsule revolver to undergo massive conversion - conversion to a unitary cartridge.

Winchester .44 Rimfire black powder rimfire cartridges

The differences from the capsule Colt Navy are clearly visible: a new drum with a door in the rear for loading, the ramrod lever has been removed and instead a spring-loaded extractor has been installed to remove spent cartridges, the depth of the recess at the rear of the drum has been increased for ease of loading with cartridges.

Colt Navy Model 1861 conversion

Remington M1858

The Remington M1858 capsule revolver, also known as the Remington New Model, was developed by the American company Eliphalet Remington & Sons and was produced in .36 and .44 calibers. Due to the fact that Colt was the patent holder, Remington was forced to pay him a royalty on each revolver produced, so the price of Remington revolvers was significantly higher than similar Colt revolvers. The Remington M1858 revolver was produced until 1875.

Remington M1858

Over 17 years, approximately 132,000 Remington M1858 revolvers were produced in .44 caliber (military model with an 8-inch barrel) and .36 caliber (naval model with a 7.375-inch barrel). There were three major releases, which were almost identical - the minor differences were appearance the trigger, the device of the under-barrel lever and the drum.

From a technical point of view, the Remington M1858 is a six-shot cap revolver with a solid frame, the loading of which is carried out by placing ready-made cartridges in a paper case or black powder bullets into the chambers of the drum on the muzzle side, after which the primers were placed in the breech of the drum.

Single action trigger mechanism (English: Single Action, SA), no manual safeties.

Some performance characteristics of the Remington M1858 caliber .44, with an 8-inch barrel:

initial bullet speed, m/s - about 350;
sighting range, m - 70-75;
weight, kg - 1.270;
length, mm - 337.

Remington M1858 revolvers were in service with the army of the United States, the British and Russian empires, Japan, Mexico, and others.

A Northern Army cavalry soldier with three Remington M1858s

The Remington M1858 was actively redesigned for a unitary cartridge. Since 1868, the company itself began producing a conversion version of the Remington M1858 revolver chambered for a .46 caliber rimfire black powder cartridge.

Remington M1858 conversion

Colt Army Model 1860

The Colt Army Model 1860 revolver was developed in 1860 and became one of the most common revolvers during the American Civil War. Produced for 13 years. In total, about 200,000 Colt Army Model 1860 revolvers were produced before 1873, and about 130,000 of them were made for the US government.

It had a modification with longitudinal grooves on the cylinder and less weight - the Texas Model, so named because most of these revolvers were purchased by the Texas Rangers after the Civil War.

The Colt Army Model 1860 revolver, along with the Colt Navy 1851 and Remington M1858, became one of the most beloved revolvers of its era. It was actively purchased not only by the military, but also by civilians. Moreover, revolvers were relatively inexpensive back then. For example, a Colt Army Model 1860 cost $20 (for comparison, the price of an ounce of gold on the New York Exchange in 1862 was $20.67).

Colt Army Model 1860

Some performance characteristics of the Colt Army Model 1860 caliber .44:

initial bullet speed, m/s - 270-305;
sighting range, m - 70-90;
weight, kg - 1.2-1.3;
length, mm - 355.

Colt Army Model 1860 revolvers were used by the US Army and the Confederates, and after the Civil War by the Texas Rangers. They took part in the US wars with the Indians: the Colorado War, the Dakota War, etc. It was massively redesigned for a unitary cartridge.

On the left is a Colt Army Model 1860 capsule, on the right is a conversion with the door open.

Colt Army Model 1860 conversion

Peacemaker

1873 was a banner year for Colt. She began production of the most famous revolver in history - the Colt M1873 Single Action Army, better known as the Peacemaker. Along with the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum revolver, the Peacemaker has become a cult weapon that today has entire communities of fans. Suffice it to say that the production of first-generation Peacemakers for the civilian weapons market continued until... 1940!

Colt M1873 Single Action Army "Peacemaker"

The Peacemaker was initially produced in the powerful .45 Long Colt black powder caliber with a 7.5" barrel, with 5.5" and 4.75" barrel models soon available. Later, revolvers of calibers .44-40 WCF and .32-20 WCF (Winchester) appeared, and in the twentieth century they were supplemented by variants chambered for .22 LR, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, etc. cartridges - just more than 30 calibers!

The Peacemaker for the US Army was produced for 9 years - until 1892, when the Peacemakers were withdrawn from service (the artillery model continued to be used until 1902) and replaced by the Colt Double Action M1892. And in total, before 1940, 357,859 first-generation Peacemakers were produced, of which for American army 37,000 revolvers were purchased.

The Peacemaker is a six-shot solid frame revolver that is loaded through a hinged door in the cylinder on the right side of the revolver. There is a spring-loaded extractor for removing spent cartridges, located below and to the right of the barrel. The design provides for setting the trigger to the safety half-cock.

Peacemaker, a variant of the Buntline Special, with a barrel length of 16 inches (almost 41 cm)!

Some first-generation Peacemaker performance characteristics chambered for a .45 Long Colt black powder rimfire cartridge with a 7.5-inch barrel:

initial bullet speed, m/s - more than 300;
sighting range, m - n/a;
weight, kg - 1.048;
length, mm - 318;
bullet energy, J - 710-750.

The Colt Peacemaker took part in the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars, the Great Sioux War, and the US wars against the Cheyenne and other Indian tribes.

It should also be said that the Colt Peacemaker... is actually still in production today! In 1956, Colt resumed production of the second generation Peacemaker revolvers, which continued until 1974. During this time, 73,205 of these revolvers were produced.

In the early 1970s. The US Congress passed a law prohibiting the sale of firearms without special safeties - none of the single-action revolvers of the 19th century met this requirement. Colt made the necessary changes to the design and in 1976 resumed production of the third generation Peacemakers, which continued until 1982. A total of 20,000 pieces were produced during this period. In 1994, production of Peacemakers was resumed again under the name Colt Single Action Army (Colt Cowboy), which continues to this day.

Colt Single Action Army. Modern chrome version with hunting knife included.

According to the most common version, Colt was prompted to the idea of creating a revolver by observing the rotating mechanism on the ship "Corvo", on which great inventor traveled from Boston to Calcutta. One way or another, it was on board the Corvo that Colt first made a wooden model of what was later called a revolver. Upon returning to the USA, Colt, distinguished by his business acumen and enterprise, applied to the patent office and issued patent No. 1304 dated August 29 (according to other sources, February 25), 1836, which described the basic principles of the operation of a weapon with a rotating drum.

Colt Paterson

Colt Paterson made 1836-1838 (still without loading rod)

Colt Paterson 1836-1838 with the trigger retracted

Texas Ranger. 1957 The Colt company owes much of its success to the Rangers

.44 caliber paper cartridges and loading tool

Capsules (still produced today - for lovers of such weapons)

Then a primer is placed on the brand tube in the breech of the drum - a miniature cup made of soft metal (usually brass) with a small charge of shock-sensitive fulminate of mercury. On impact, the charge explodes and creates a jet of flame, which, through a fire tube, ignites the powder charge in the chamber. You can read more about this here:. Everything that has been said about the principles of operation of such weapons applies to all other capsule revolvers.

Colt Paterson made 1842-1847 with a shortened barrel and a ramrod lever for loading

Some performance characteristics of Colt Paterson caliber .36 with a barrel length of 7.5 inches (it should be borne in mind that even for the same model of percussion weapon they may differ slightly):
- initial bullet speed, m/s - 270;
- sighting range, m - 60;
- weight, kg - 1.2;
- length, mm - 350.

Such revolvers are very highly valued today. Colt Paterson in original box with all accessories sold at auction in 2011 for $977,500

Colt Walker

Some performance characteristics of Colt Walker caliber .44:
- initial bullet speed, m/s - 300-370;
- sighting range, m - 90-100;
- weight, kg - 2.5;
- length, mm - 394.

The Colt Walker was used by both sides in the North-South War.

Confederate Army soldier with Colt Walker

Colt Dragoon Model 1848

The Colt Model 1848 Precision Army revolver was designed by Samuel Colt in 1848 at the request of the US government to arm the U.S. Army's Mounted Rifles, better known in the US as dragoons. Hence its name, under which the revolver was introduced - Colt Dragoon Model 1848. In this model, a number of shortcomings of the previous Colt Walker model were eliminated - the Colt Dragoon had less weight and a ramrod lock was added.

Colt Dragoon Model 1848

Holster and belt for Colt Dragoon Model 1848

There were three releases of the Colt Dragoon model, differing from each other by minor improvements in the firing mechanism:
- first issue: from 1848 to 1850, about 7,000 were issued;
- second issue: from 1850 to 1851, about 2,550 were issued;
- third edition: from 1851 to 1860, about 10,000 Colt Dragoon revolvers were produced, of which the US government purchased more than 8,000 units.

Thus, the Colt Dragoon was produced for 12 years. The Colt company produced about 20,000 of these revolvers. The Colt Dragoon turned out to be a very successful revolver.

Separately, it is worth noting the release since 1848 of its pocket version, the Colt Pocket Model 1848 caliber .31, better known as the Baby Dragoon, especially popular among civilians.

Colt Pocket Model 1848 Baby Dragoon

Some performance characteristics of the Colt Dragoon Model 1848 caliber .44, with a barrel length of 8 inches:
- initial bullet speed, m/s - 330;

- weight, kg - 1.9;
- length, mm - 375.
The Colt Dragoon Model 1848 was used by the US and Confederate armies in the War of the North and South. A significant portion was sold to civilians.

Confederate Army soldiers with Colt Dragoon Model 1848

Colt Navy 1851

Some performance characteristics of Colt Navy 1851 caliber .36:
- initial bullet speed, m/s - 230;
- sighting range, m - 70-75;
- weight, kg - 1.2-1.3;
- length, mm - 330.

Colt Navy was actively used by both sides in the war between the North and South. It became the first capsule revolver to undergo massive conversion - conversion to a unitary cartridge.

Winchester .44 Rimfire black powder rimfire cartridges

Colt Navy Model 1861 conversion

Remington M1858

Over 17 years, approximately 132,000 Remington M1858 revolvers were produced in .44 caliber (military model with an 8-inch barrel) and .36 caliber (naval model with a 7.375-inch barrel). There were three large releases in total, which were almost identical - minor differences were in the appearance of the trigger, the design of the under-barrel lever and the drum.

Single action trigger mechanism (English: Single Action, SA), no manual safeties.

Some performance characteristics of the Remington M1858 caliber .44, with an 8-inch barrel:
- initial bullet speed, m/s - about 350;
- sighting range, m - 70-75;
- weight, kg - 1.270;
- length, mm - 337.

Remington M1858 revolvers were in service with the army of the United States, the British and Russian empires, Japan, Mexico, and others.

A Northern Army cavalry soldier with three Remington M1858s

Remington M1858 conversion

Colt Army Model 1860

It had a modification with longitudinal grooves on the cylinder and less weight - the Texas Model, so named because most of these revolvers were purchased by the Texas Rangers after the Civil War.

Colt М1873 Single Action Army "Peacemaker"

The Peacemaker for the US Army was produced for 9 years - until 1892, when the Peacemakers were withdrawn from service (the artillery model continued to be used until 1902) and replaced by the Colt Double Action M1892. And in total, until 1940, 357,859 first-generation Peacemakers were produced, of which 37,000 revolvers were purchased for the American army.

Peacemaker, a variant of the Buntline Special, with a barrel length of 16 inches (almost 41 cm)!

Some first-generation Peacemaker performance characteristics chambered for a .45 Long Colt black powder rimfire cartridge with a 7.5-inch barrel:
- initial bullet speed, m/s - more than 300;
- sighting range, m - n/a;
- weight, kg - 1.048;
- length, mm - 318;
- bullet energy, J - 710-750.

The Colt Peacemaker took part in the Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars, the Great Sioux War, and the US wars against the Cheyenne and other Indian tribes.

Colt Single Action Army. Modern chrome version with hunting knife included

“God created people different, Colonel Colt equalized their chances,” says a famous American proverb. Few people know, however, that the classic version of this pistol - the Colt M1911 - was invented not by Samuel Colt, but by John Browning. She has served a huge number of people real people, and fictional characters. For the premiere of the film “Icy” with Michael Shannon (on the poster of which there is a classic Colt), we tried to figure out how this weapon won the hearts of ordinary Americans and which other movie characters used it.

The history of America's main pistol

The Colt M1911 in America is not just a weapon - it is an important part of American culture of the 20th century. For more than a hundred years, the 911 remains the most beloved weapon on both American continents.

1835 The appearance of the first Colt

The famous American gunsmith and industrialist Samuel Colt died long before the 911 was created. However, it was Colt - often mistakenly referred to as the Colonel - who invented and, most importantly, patented a revolver with an improved cap action around the world, which quickly supplanted other systems and gave impetus to the creation of revolvers chambered for a unitary metal cartridge. At the same time, Colt did not create a revolver as such: he spied an English design in India in time and, after training on a wooden model, made his original design of a weapon with a rotating breech, which he patented first in Europe and then in the USA. Colt's company became the largest brand in America, and in the rest of the world, with many of the greatest gunsmiths working in its factories. Including John Moses Browning.

Colt Single Action Army (Peacemaker) drum capacity - 6 rounds.

However, the most iconic revolver of Colt and the entire Wild West was always loaded with 5 rounds - one chamber was left empty so that the revolver would not fire unnecessarily. It was a kind of secret cowboy fuse.

Colt - often erroneously referred to as the Colonel - invented and, most importantly, patented the revolver with an improved cap action worldwide.

1900–1905. "Vest" weapon

According to experts, John Browning, designer of the Colt M1911, is considered the alpha and omega of the gun world for the last two hundred years and the most prolific gunsmith. Time after time, he managed to create a compact and quite powerful weapon, superior to all pistols and revolvers existing at that time. During his life, Browning created as many guns as some could not in several lifetimes. For example, before the M1911, he developed a number of long-barreled pistols with a short barrel stroke, also produced by Colt: M1900, M1902, M1903 Pocket Hammer, M1905. However, Brownings at the beginning of the century still remained either a service weapon, or a pocket or “vest” weapon - convenient for concealed carry. Their comparative low power (by modern standards) was explained, first of all, by their common blowback automatic circuit.

Browning M1903 circulation 4,000,000 copies. So many Brownings were produced in different parts of the world in almost forty years.

The external similarity of the Soviet TT pistol with the M1903 gave rise to the legend that Fedor Tokarev copied this Browning design

Interrogating a suspect with a Colt M1911 during the Vietnam War

On March 29, 1911, the self-loading pistol designed by John Browning Colt M1911, also known as the Government Model, was adopted by the US Army after lengthy testing. It is the longest-lived military pistol - in America it remained in military service until the mid-1980s, and in some countries it is still in service today. Browning managed to create a convenient and practical weapon for all occasions, combining strength, simplicity and unpretentiousness with excellent accuracy and ergonomics. With its impressive and brutal appearance, it is very comfortable both to use and to wear, which greatly contributed to its popularity.

The most popular ammunition in the USA for a hundred years. Such a bullet ensures damage to vital organs even after passing through an obstacle such as a hand or other light obstacle.

Captain George McMurphy opens fire with an M1911

1920s. Use in war and civilian life

In the mid-20s, the pistol underwent a slight modernization and continued to serve under the designation ColtM1911A1. No further changes were made to the original design. Pistols are still produced in this form in different parts of the world. The M1911A1 model became especially widespread during World War II, Korea and Vietnam War. Among ordinary American citizens, the Colt still has a cult status, both for protecting one’s own home and among target shooting enthusiasts.

Colt M1911A1 magazine capacity is 7 rounds.

Against 17 for Glocks (more than double the difference). The reason is that it is impossible to make a double-row magazine while maintaining the dimensions of the pistol handle that are comfortable for holding.

Among ordinary American citizens, Colt still has a cult status.
both for protecting your own home and among amateurs
target shooting

In a classic scene from Saving Private Ryan, Captain Miller shoots down a German Tiger with an M1911A1

Russian trace of Colt

Colts were purchased by Russia during the First World War and supplied under Lend-Lease during the Second World War, but their widespread use among the troops was hampered by a lack of .45 ACP cartridges. Currently, such cartridges are produced in our country and old M1911s are used by some special forces.

Basic technical
Colt M1911 specifications

TOTAL LENGTH:

BARREL LENGTH:

STORE CAPACITY:

7 rounds

USM (Trigger MECHANISM):

single action

Competitors Colt M1911
worldwide

Walther PP and PPK

Germany

The weapon is also known as Polizei Pistole. Oddly enough, it was not a German who made him famous, but an Englishman - MI6 agent James Bond. Subsequently, both PP and PPK served as models for many other weapon models - the domestic Makarov pistol was created not without an eye on PP.

FN Browning Hi-Power

Traditionally considered one of the best pistols of the 20th century, along with Brownig's Colt. The fundamental difference: the worldwide caliber 9x19 parabellum, thanks to which it was possible to fit 13 rounds into the handle. More than a million copies have been released.

Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic

It is considered one of the best modern combat pistols in the world, having a low price compared to its competitors. In the 90s, the Czechs tried to enter the US arms market: the CZ 97 did not become a sensation, but it found its client and is still selling quite well.

SIG-Sauer P220 (226, 228-229)

Switzerland

The line of Zaurov’s “twenties” (differing mainly in size) was produced in different parts of the world for different calibers. Americans sometimes call the P220 “an expensive pistol made using cheap technology,” which does not prevent them from considering the P220 the best production pistol with a self-cocking trigger in caliber 45ACP.

One of the advantages is doubling the magazine volume, but at the same time switching to a nine-millimeter cartridge. Otherwise everything remains the same. Beretta is a brutal pistol, bulky and heavy, with an excessively swollen handle. However, in terms of reliability, no one managed to surpass the Colt. However, the beretta became fashionable for a while - in particular, thanks to cinema.

A family of pistols originally developed for the needs of the Austrian army. For the not very well-known Glock company, this experience was the first and - immediately - successful. The pistol turned out to be one of the most reliable, convenient and popular in the world (they say the Glock shoots even under water). Plus, they determined the fashion in the development of pistols for the next thirty years.

Germany

A pistol created with a clear eye on the Glock, but specifically for the American market. Minor drawbacks: big sizes weapons, even in the compact version there is a rather high center of gravity and a massive bolt, which makes concealed carry somewhat difficult.

Colt in media and cinema

The Colt M1911 owes its incredible popularity in its homeland to the media. Both world wars are full of incidents that proved the glory American weapons. The story of Corporal Alvin York was especially widely circulated in the media. On October 8, 1918, pinned down by German machine gun fire along with soldiers of the 82nd Division of the US Army, York identified the source of enemy fire and single-handedly dealt with the enemy (a total of 25 German soldiers). The Enfield M-1917 rifle and the self-loading Colt M1911 helped him defeat his enemies. For his heroism in the Argonne Forest, York was promoted to the rank of sergeant and awarded a medal for bravery. In addition, his story formed the basis of the 1941 film “Sergeant York” with Gary Cooper. The Colt M1911 will appear on the big screen more than once, and in cinema it will be used by everyone: gangsters, police, military, killers and even vampires. The latter, by the way, prefer larger guns.

Colt as a weapon
police officers

Designerly decorated a pistol with a cobra on a white handle appears at the very beginning of the film - and perhaps this is the most spectacular appearance of a Colt in world cinema. From it, Los Angeles police lieutenant Marion “Cobra” Cobretti (Sylvester Stallone) shoots a maniac in a supermarket a few minutes later, abandoning his already catchphrase“You are the disease, and I am the cure.” Later, the Colt would save Cobra’s life more than once, and when one pistol was not enough, he would use the Finnish JaTiMatic submachine gun.

Colt as a weapon
gangsters

"UNTOUCHABLES"

Formally, the main weapon in the film is “Tommy Guns”. However, gangsters and policemen also use rifles and Colts with gusto. Due to the fact that times are extremely harsh, Treasury Department special agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) even hugs his little daughter with a Colt in his hand.

Colt as a weapon
officers

"THE SMELL OF A WOMAN"

In the remake of the Italian classic, Al Pacino plays blind retired lieutenant colonel Frank Slade, who is hired as a nanny by a graduating student from a prestigious school. In one episode, Pacino's character assembles a Colt and then asks the confused O'Donnell character how long it took him to do it. When he finds out that it’s 30 seconds, he sighs sadly: “Yes, I’m rusty. An American Army officer is supposed to assemble a .45 caliber in 25 seconds.” However, Pacino handled the Colt no less impressively in “Carlito’s Way” - in the dizzying shootout scene in the billiard room.

Colt as a weapon
psychopaths

Colt Peacemaker M1873 Specifications:

Manufacturer:	Chiappa firearms (Italy)
Caliber:	5.6 mm (.220 Long Blanc)
Combat prototype:	Colt Single Action Army (Colt M1873 Peacemaker), USA
Ammunition:	Hilti cartridges caliber 0.22NC (5.6x16 mm)
Drum capacity:	6
Material:	steel body
Trigger mechanism:	single action
Shooting mode:	semi-automatic
Fuse:	No
Length:	260 mm (barrel - 120 mm)
Weight:	950 g
Equipment:	revolver, cleaning rod, passport (instructions), box
Certificate:

Description Colt Peacemaker M1873 Single Action, black (340.209):

New for 2015! Colt Peacemaker(Peacemaker) M1873 - a copy of the legendary, first revolver adopted by the US Army from Colt. It was a combination of the design of previous Colt capsule revolvers - the trigger mechanism, the design and construction of the handle and part of the trigger, with a more modern monolithic closed frame and the use of unitary center-fire cartridges.

Loading the signal revolver Colt Peacemaker M1873 with scrolling of the drum is carried out only with the trigger half-cocked. Holds 6 rounds 5.6 mm caliber (for example, Hilti cartridges). Case material - steel, provides this revolver with strength and greater similarity to its combat counterpart.

Signal revolver Colt Peacemaker M1873 is manufactured by " Chiappa firearms", Italy. The revolver is a prototype of the legendary combat model of the Colt company under the nickname “Peacemaker”, which is considered the first revolver of this company. This model is used when feeding sound signals at sporting events, as well as in self-defense from animals or bandits.

The external structure and internal parts of the revolver are made of steel, and therefore the weight of the product is quite decent - 950 grams, which gives it strength and brings it even closer to its combat counterpart. The handle has plastic linings. The revolver drum is removable, which is convenient when disassembling the device or cleaning it.

The revolver drum holds 6 rounds. Instead of ammunition, the Colt Peacemaker M1873 uses blank cartridges with a caliber of 5.6 mm. These can be light-sound cartridges, mounting cartridges - Hilti or Long Blanc .22. At the same time, the sound when firing is similar to a shot from a combat counterpart and is quite loud. And charging of this model is carried out with the trigger half-cocked while the drum is scrolling.

This model is equipped with a single-action trigger mechanism, and therefore, before each shot it is necessary to cock the hammer, and then press the trigger. After firing 5 rounds, it is necessary to empty the drum and remove the cartridges. The revolver body and drum are also cleaned using a brush, which is included in the package. It is recommended to clean the revolver after each use.

In addition to the product itself and the included brush Colt Peacemaker revolver M1873 includes cleaning rod and passport. This set is supplied in a plastic case or cardboard box.

Loading:

Pull the trigger to the "pre-cock" position and fold back the cylinder cover on the right side of the revolver
While turning the drum by hand, place the cartridges in the chambers of the drum one by one
Close the cylinder cover and cock the hammer all the way to fire by pulling the trigger.

Video review of the Colt Peacemaker M1873 starting revolver:

Information about the characteristics, configuration, appearance and color of the product is for informational purposes only; they are subject to change by the manufacturer without notice.

In the online store site you can buy a Colt Peacemaker M1873 signal revolver, black with convenient delivery throughout Russia by courier, transport company or Russian Post. We also deliver to Kazakhstan and Belarus. You can check the price and order the product on the website, by phone or write an e-mail.