Autry National Center

http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/on-the-american-frontier?artifact=87.118.10.1 http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/on-the-american-frontier?artifact=86.9.1.1

#3 of 5   On the American Frontier

Array ( [MKEY] => M563129 [TITLE_CUR] => Model 1855 Half Stock Revolving Sporting Rifle [DATE_MADE] => circa 1857-1864 [CREDIT_LINE] => [DESCRIPTION] => Colt’s revolving handguns had a tremendous impact on the American frontier, but Colt’s revolving longarms were not as successful. Colt’s rifles, shotguns, and muskets were plagued with several key weaknesses, including gas leakages, multiple discharges, and mechanical failures. Strong competition from Winchester and Henry repeating rifles was another factor that contributed to slow sales. The revolving longarm that saw the most use in the American West was probably the Colt Model 1855 Half Stock Revolving Sporting Rifle. It was used by mountain men, hunters, traders, and even some of the United States Cavalry stationed in the West. This exotic specimen was custom-made to accommodate the tubular scope, which was used for sighting but not for magnification. [ID_NUMBER] => 87.118.131 [MAKERS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [MAKER_TYPE] => manufacturer [MAKER] => Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company [SORT] => 1 ) ) [SERIAL] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [NUM] => 1340 [NUMTYPE] => serial number ) ) [INSCRIPTIONS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [INSCRIPTION_TYPE] => [INSCRIPTION_TEXT] => ) ) [OWNERS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [OWNER] => [OCCUPATION] => [SORT] => ) ) [IMAGES] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [TYPE] => primary [SORT] => 1 [MEDIA_ID] => 87_118_131.jpg [CAPTION] => .left side [CREDIT_LINE] => [W] => 640 [H] => 292 ) [1] => Array ( [TYPE] => primary [SORT] => 2 [MEDIA_ID] => 87_118_131detail1.jpg [CAPTION] => .right side [CREDIT_LINE] => [W] => 640 [H] => 297 ) [2] => Array ( [TYPE] => primary [SORT] => 3 [MEDIA_ID] => 87_118_131detail2.jpg [CAPTION] => rifle detail [CREDIT_LINE] => [W] => 640 [H] => 425 ) ) [GROUPINGS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209052 ) [1] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209044 ) ) [INTERPRETATIONS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209024 [BROADER_TERMKEY] => T208558 [story] => Learn More; The Colt Revolver in the American West | On the American Frontier ) ) )