Autry National Center

http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/speed-versus-accuracy?artifact=90.183.19 http://theautry.org/the-colt-revolver-in-the-american-west/speed-versus-accuracy?artifact=90.183.18

#12 of 14   Speed Versus Accuracy

Array ( [MKEY] => M532649 [TITLE_CUR] => Experimental Cobra Model Revolver [DATE_MADE] => circa 1951 [CREDIT_LINE] => [DESCRIPTION] => The materials used to construct the Colt revolver changed over time as a result of improved research and technology. A notable development in the middle of the twentieth century was the use of light-weight aluminum alloy. Steel had historically been used to manufacture firearms, but in 1950, Colt introduced the Cobra Model Revolver, a gun with an aluminum-alloy frame. Although similar in design to the lightweight Detective Special Model Revolver, which weighed twenty-one ounces, the Cobra Model weighed a mere fifteen ounces. In an attempt to further reduce the weight, experiments such as serial number 3098LW were conducted with an aluminum frame and cylinder. Initial tests proved positive, but the aluminum cylinder was never incorporated into the production line. [ID_NUMBER] => 87.118.102 [MAKERS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [MAKER_TYPE] => manufacturer [MAKER] => Colt's Manufacturing Company [SORT] => 1 ) ) [SERIAL] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [NUM] => 3098LW [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_102.jpg [CAPTION] => .left side [CREDIT_LINE] => [W] => 640 [H] => 471 ) [1] => Array ( [TYPE] => primary [SORT] => 2 [MEDIA_ID] => 87_118_102detail1.jpg [CAPTION] => .right side [CREDIT_LINE] => [W] => 640 [H] => 465 ) ) [GROUPINGS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209046 ) [1] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209045 ) ) [INTERPRETATIONS] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209031 [BROADER_TERMKEY] => T208558 [story] => Learn More; The Colt Revolver in the American West | Continuing the Colt Tradition ) [1] => Array ( [TERMKEY] => T209033 [BROADER_TERMKEY] => T209031 [story] => Learn More; The Colt Revolver in the American West; Continuing the Colt Tradition | Speed versus Accuracy ) ) )