The Whitney Navy Revolver

This book is primarily a reference for the most famous revolver manufactured by Eli Whitney, Jr. during the late-1850s and throughout the American Civil War. The Whitney Navy Revolver documents the results of a two-year research project and provides clear and current information on the various models and types. A thorough description along with photographs of each model and type of Whitney Navy revolver is found in this book. In addition to serving as a reference work, this book provides a brief history of the firearms development and marketing efforts of Eli Whitney, Jr. along with extensive information on the use of his revolvers by both the North and South during the Civil War. Photographs of Union and Confederate soldiers with Whitney revolvers are included, along with a photograph of the Whitney revolver used by Confederate cavalry commander, General JEB Stuart. Much additional information is found in this book, including photographs of engraved revolvers, cartridge conversion models, and other revolvers that were copies of the Whitney Navy revolver. This book is a must for collectors and students of historical firearms.

This detailed history of Remington's role in the development of military weapons is the result of twenty-five years of research of the company's records and military archives.

Years in its preparation, this updated guide covers a vast spectrum of pre-1900 firearms manufactured by U.S. gunmakers as well as Canadian, French, German, Belgian, Spanish, and other foreign firms. Offers detailed descriptions, dates of production, and current values. Illustrations.

The fascinating story of the American inventor and manufacturer who perfected the revolver Samuel Colt (1814-1862) first patented his "Colt" revolver in 1835 and thereby redefined the architecture of handguns. This stunning book is the first to present in detail the evolution of his most famous invention and to document the unsurpassed Colt firearms collections held by the Wadsworth Atheneum. Colt designed his revolvers with an artistic sensibility--paying particular attention to form and beauty and juxtaposing colors and finishes to heighten the visual effects. He was also one of the first American manufacturers to secure celebrity endorsements and to commission paintings by renowned artists like George Catlin to promote his arms. Colt's standards for excellence, industrial foresight, and quest for market domination are explored in light of primary documents that reveal his constant battles to protect his patents. Essays discuss Colt's personal collection of historic firearms as well as the memorial collection of Colt-manufactured firearms, the relationship between art and commerce as they pertain to the inventor's career, and his international celebrity. Richly illustrated and beautifully produced, this volume presents the artistry of the firearms that Colt worked so diligently to perfect--as well as his promotional abilities that made a tremendous impact on American culture.

This is a comprehensive history of the pistol, covering its technological development and its impact on warfare and society. It provides complete technical details of examples of pistols from the first working models to the present and includes in-depth coverage of the three major pistol designs.