From S. Colt to S. Walker
S. Colt to S. Walker
If you have read my article about the Republic of Texas Navy, you will already know how the Texas Rangers got their first Colt revolvers. After using the few they managed to get from the Texas Navy, the Rangers knew this was a ‘game changer’ and wanted more of this new invention.
To both improve this new weapon and get them supplied to the men fighting the Comanches, the Rangers sent Ranger Captain Samuel Walker to New York to speak directly with Samuel Colt. He told Mr. Colt that he had a ‘fine weapon’ but the Rangers would like for him to consider several changes or improvements. First instead of .36 caliber, make it a .44 caliber, six shot revolver. Make it heavier and add a trigger guard and allow the trigger to be visible in this guard. The Rangers wanted a pistol that was powerful enough to knock a man off his horse when hit with a pistol round!
This was the only fighting force that saw any future for such a weapon. No other army, U.S. or European army would even consider a handgun that Colt was offering to have any place in their armaments for combat. They were still believing in having their troops line up and fire volleys from old style muskets.
But the Texas Rangers were already engaged in ‘hit and run’ Indian tactics. An experienced warrior could launch 18 to 20 arrows from horseback, while the Rangers, or any other settler would only be able to dismount and reload his rifle once! Now, having six shots available allowed the Texas Ranger to remain mounted and blast six powerful shots at his enemy.
It was said that a Ranger who could afford it would have four revolvers; two in his saddle holsters and two on his hips. That way he would have 24 rounds, so he could ride into combat and equal to the Comanche with a quiver full of arrows. The first encounters with better armed Rangers must have been a great surprise for the Comanches.
This is part of the reason for an equal standoff at the battle of Plum Creek, it really was a wild melee and both sides were trading shots over many miles. The Comanches were trying to get back home with all their stolen horses and loot.
After they arrived back home, it was reported that Chief Buffalo Hump said he would never do this again because he had warriors dying a week after they got back home. The Ranger Captain had given orders to “burn them” meaning get so close that the enemy would have powder burns on his body from the blast of the Colt pistol.
After his trip to New York and visiting with Samuel Colt, Samuel Walker never lived to get one of the pistols named after him, the Walker Colt. Samuel Walker was killed by a sniper in Mexico during the U.S. Army’s punitive invasion of that country.
Now, fast forward: Sometime, within the last decade, there was a gun show some were in Texas and an individual who was a part time collector came across a Walker Colt that from all he could tell was an original of the first shipment made to the Texas Rangers. It was expensive, will over $200,000, and it was far more than he felt comfortable in paying, but it was a ‘once in a lifetime chance’. So, he swallowed hard and bought it.
Upon getting back home, the first thing he decided to do was to give his new purchase a thorough cleaning. He begins to dissemble the weapon and when he removed the grips, this is what he discovered. There on the handle, below the grips was engraved the following: From S. Colt to S. Walker! If this was legitimate, his purchase had jumped from $200,000 to perhaps over $1,000,000 due to it being one of a kind and honoring Samuel Walker. True story, but there probably is no way to prove or disprove the engraving. Just Sayin…RJS¬
Gordon
Loc: Charleston South Carolina
Robert J Samples wrote:
S. Colt to S. Walker
If you have read my article about the Republic of Texas Navy, you will already know how the Texas Rangers got their first Colt revolvers. After using the few they managed to get from the Texas Navy, the Rangers knew this was a ‘game changer’ and wanted more of this new invention.
To both improve this new weapon and get them supplied to the men fighting the Comanches, the Rangers sent Ranger Captain Samuel Walker to New York to speak directly with Samuel Colt. He told Mr. Colt that he had a ‘fine weapon’ but the Rangers would like for him to consider several changes or improvements. First instead of .36 caliber, make it a .44 caliber, six shot revolver. Make it heavier and add a trigger guard and allow the trigger to be visible in this guard. The Rangers wanted a pistol that was powerful enough to knock a man off his horse when hit with a pistol round!
This was the only fighting force that saw any future for such a weapon. No other army, U.S. or European army would even consider a handgun that Colt was offering to have any place in their armaments for combat. They were still believing in having their troops line up and fire volleys from old style muskets.
But the Texas Rangers were already engaged in ‘hit and run’ Indian tactics. An experienced warrior could launch 18 to 20 arrows from horseback, while the Rangers, or any other settler would only be able to dismount and reload his rifle once! Now, having six shots available allowed the Texas Ranger to remain mounted and blast six powerful shots at his enemy.
It was said that a Ranger who could afford it would have four revolvers; two in his saddle holsters and two on his hips. That way he would have 24 rounds, so he could ride into combat and equal to the Comanche with a quiver full of arrows. The first encounters with better armed Rangers must have been a great surprise for the Comanches.
This is part of the reason for an equal standoff at the battle of Plum Creek, it really was a wild melee and both sides were trading shots over many miles. The Comanches were trying to get back home with all their stolen horses and loot.
After they arrived back home, it was reported that Chief Buffalo Hump said he would never do this again because he had warriors dying a week after they got back home. The Ranger Captain had given orders to “burn them” meaning get so close that the enemy would have powder burns on his body from the blast of the Colt pistol.
After his trip to New York and visiting with Samuel Colt, Samuel Walker never lived to get one of the pistols named after him, the Walker Colt. Samuel Walker was killed by a sniper in Mexico during the U.S. Army’s punitive invasion of that country.
Now, fast forward: Sometime, within the last decade, there was a gun show some were in Texas and an individual who was a part time collector came across a Walker Colt that from all he could tell was an original of the first shipment made to the Texas Rangers. It was expensive, will over $200,000, and it was far more than he felt comfortable in paying, but it was a ‘once in a lifetime chance’. So, he swallowed hard and bought it.
Upon getting back home, the first thing he decided to do was to give his new purchase a thorough cleaning. He begins to dissemble the weapon and when he removed the grips, this is what he discovered. There on the handle, below the grips was engraved the following: From S. Colt to S. Walker! If this was legitimate, his purchase had jumped from $200,000 to perhaps over $1,000,000 due to it being one of a kind and honoring Samuel Walker. True story, but there probably is no way to prove or disprove the engraving. Just Sayin…RJS¬
S. Colt to S. Walker br If you have read my articl... (
show quote)
Good story Robert. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Robert J Samples wrote:
S. Colt to S. Walker
If you have read my article about the Republic of Texas Navy, you will already know how the Texas Rangers got their first Colt revolvers. After using the few they managed to get from the Texas Navy, the Rangers knew this was a ‘game changer’ and wanted more of this new invention.
To both improve this new weapon and get them supplied to the men fighting the Comanches, the Rangers sent Ranger Captain Samuel Walker to New York to speak directly with Samuel Colt. He told Mr. Colt that he had a ‘fine weapon’ but the Rangers would like for him to consider several changes or improvements. First instead of .36 caliber, make it a .44 caliber, six shot revolver. Make it heavier and add a trigger guard and allow the trigger to be visible in this guard. The Rangers wanted a pistol that was powerful enough to knock a man off his horse when hit with a pistol round!
This was the only fighting force that saw any future for such a weapon. No other army, U.S. or European army would even consider a handgun that Colt was offering to have any place in their armaments for combat. They were still believing in having their troops line up and fire volleys from old style muskets.
But the Texas Rangers were already engaged in ‘hit and run’ Indian tactics. An experienced warrior could launch 18 to 20 arrows from horseback, while the Rangers, or any other settler would only be able to dismount and reload his rifle once! Now, having six shots available allowed the Texas Ranger to remain mounted and blast six powerful shots at his enemy.
It was said that a Ranger who could afford it would have four revolvers; two in his saddle holsters and two on his hips. That way he would have 24 rounds, so he could ride into combat and equal to the Comanche with a quiver full of arrows. The first encounters with better armed Rangers must have been a great surprise for the Comanches.
This is part of the reason for an equal standoff at the battle of Plum Creek, it really was a wild melee and both sides were trading shots over many miles. The Comanches were trying to get back home with all their stolen horses and loot.
After they arrived back home, it was reported that Chief Buffalo Hump said he would never do this again because he had warriors dying a week after they got back home. The Ranger Captain had given orders to “burn them” meaning get so close that the enemy would have powder burns on his body from the blast of the Colt pistol.
After his trip to New York and visiting with Samuel Colt, Samuel Walker never lived to get one of the pistols named after him, the Walker Colt. Samuel Walker was killed by a sniper in Mexico during the U.S. Army’s punitive invasion of that country.
Now, fast forward: Sometime, within the last decade, there was a gun show some were in Texas and an individual who was a part time collector came across a Walker Colt that from all he could tell was an original of the first shipment made to the Texas Rangers. It was expensive, will over $200,000, and it was far more than he felt comfortable in paying, but it was a ‘once in a lifetime chance’. So, he swallowed hard and bought it.
Upon getting back home, the first thing he decided to do was to give his new purchase a thorough cleaning. He begins to dissemble the weapon and when he removed the grips, this is what he discovered. There on the handle, below the grips was engraved the following: From S. Colt to S. Walker! If this was legitimate, his purchase had jumped from $200,000 to perhaps over $1,000,000 due to it being one of a kind and honoring Samuel Walker. True story, but there probably is no way to prove or disprove the engraving. Just Sayin…RJS¬
S. Colt to S. Walker br If you have read my articl... (
show quote)
Very interesting story RJ, thanks for sharing.
Robert J Samples wrote:
S. Colt to S. Walker
If you have read my article about the Republic of Texas Navy, you will already know how the Texas Rangers got their first Colt revolvers. After using the few they managed to get from the Texas Navy, the Rangers knew this was a ‘game changer’ and wanted more of this new invention.
To both improve this new weapon and get them supplied to the men fighting the Comanches, the Rangers sent Ranger Captain Samuel Walker to New York to speak directly with Samuel Colt. He told Mr. Colt that he had a ‘fine weapon’ but the Rangers would like for him to consider several changes or improvements. First instead of .36 caliber, make it a .44 caliber, six shot revolver. Make it heavier and add a trigger guard and allow the trigger to be visible in this guard. The Rangers wanted a pistol that was powerful enough to knock a man off his horse when hit with a pistol round!
This was the only fighting force that saw any future for such a weapon. No other army, U.S. or European army would even consider a handgun that Colt was offering to have any place in their armaments for combat. They were still believing in having their troops line up and fire volleys from old style muskets.
But the Texas Rangers were already engaged in ‘hit and run’ Indian tactics. An experienced warrior could launch 18 to 20 arrows from horseback, while the Rangers, or any other settler would only be able to dismount and reload his rifle once! Now, having six shots available allowed the Texas Ranger to remain mounted and blast six powerful shots at his enemy.
It was said that a Ranger who could afford it would have four revolvers; two in his saddle holsters and two on his hips. That way he would have 24 rounds, so he could ride into combat and equal to the Comanche with a quiver full of arrows. The first encounters with better armed Rangers must have been a great surprise for the Comanches.
This is part of the reason for an equal standoff at the battle of Plum Creek, it really was a wild melee and both sides were trading shots over many miles. The Comanches were trying to get back home with all their stolen horses and loot.
After they arrived back home, it was reported that Chief Buffalo Hump said he would never do this again because he had warriors dying a week after they got back home. The Ranger Captain had given orders to “burn them” meaning get so close that the enemy would have powder burns on his body from the blast of the Colt pistol.
After his trip to New York and visiting with Samuel Colt, Samuel Walker never lived to get one of the pistols named after him, the Walker Colt. Samuel Walker was killed by a sniper in Mexico during the U.S. Army’s punitive invasion of that country.
Now, fast forward: Sometime, within the last decade, there was a gun show some were in Texas and an individual who was a part time collector came across a Walker Colt that from all he could tell was an original of the first shipment made to the Texas Rangers. It was expensive, will over $200,000, and it was far more than he felt comfortable in paying, but it was a ‘once in a lifetime chance’. So, he swallowed hard and bought it.
Upon getting back home, the first thing he decided to do was to give his new purchase a thorough cleaning. He begins to dissemble the weapon and when he removed the grips, this is what he discovered. There on the handle, below the grips was engraved the following: From S. Colt to S. Walker! If this was legitimate, his purchase had jumped from $200,000 to perhaps over $1,000,000 due to it being one of a kind and honoring Samuel Walker. True story, but there probably is no way to prove or disprove the engraving. Just Sayin…RJS¬
S. Colt to S. Walker br If you have read my articl... (
show quote)
Boy talk about right place at the right time. Good story RJ
Robert J Samples wrote:
S. Colt to S. Walker
If you have read my article about the Republic of Texas Navy, you will already know how the Texas Rangers got their first Colt revolvers. After using the few they managed to get from the Texas Navy, the Rangers knew this was a ‘game changer’ and wanted more of this new invention.
To both improve this new weapon and get them supplied to the men fighting the Comanches, the Rangers sent Ranger Captain Samuel Walker to New York to speak directly with Samuel Colt. He told Mr. Colt that he had a ‘fine weapon’ but the Rangers would like for him to consider several changes or improvements. First instead of .36 caliber, make it a .44 caliber, six shot revolver. Make it heavier and add a trigger guard and allow the trigger to be visible in this guard. The Rangers wanted a pistol that was powerful enough to knock a man off his horse when hit with a pistol round!
This was the only fighting force that saw any future for such a weapon. No other army, U.S. or European army would even consider a handgun that Colt was offering to have any place in their armaments for combat. They were still believing in having their troops line up and fire volleys from old style muskets.
But the Texas Rangers were already engaged in ‘hit and run’ Indian tactics. An experienced warrior could launch 18 to 20 arrows from horseback, while the Rangers, or any other settler would only be able to dismount and reload his rifle once! Now, having six shots available allowed the Texas Ranger to remain mounted and blast six powerful shots at his enemy.
It was said that a Ranger who could afford it would have four revolvers; two in his saddle holsters and two on his hips. That way he would have 24 rounds, so he could ride into combat and equal to the Comanche with a quiver full of arrows. The first encounters with better armed Rangers must have been a great surprise for the Comanches.
This is part of the reason for an equal standoff at the battle of Plum Creek, it really was a wild melee and both sides were trading shots over many miles. The Comanches were trying to get back home with all their stolen horses and loot.
After they arrived back home, it was reported that Chief Buffalo Hump said he would never do this again because he had warriors dying a week after they got back home. The Ranger Captain had given orders to “burn them” meaning get so close that the enemy would have powder burns on his body from the blast of the Colt pistol.
After his trip to New York and visiting with Samuel Colt, Samuel Walker never lived to get one of the pistols named after him, the Walker Colt. Samuel Walker was killed by a sniper in Mexico during the U.S. Army’s punitive invasion of that country.
Now, fast forward: Sometime, within the last decade, there was a gun show some were in Texas and an individual who was a part time collector came across a Walker Colt that from all he could tell was an original of the first shipment made to the Texas Rangers. It was expensive, will over $200,000, and it was far more than he felt comfortable in paying, but it was a ‘once in a lifetime chance’. So, he swallowed hard and bought it.
Upon getting back home, the first thing he decided to do was to give his new purchase a thorough cleaning. He begins to dissemble the weapon and when he removed the grips, this is what he discovered. There on the handle, below the grips was engraved the following: From S. Colt to S. Walker! If this was legitimate, his purchase had jumped from $200,000 to perhaps over $1,000,000 due to it being one of a kind and honoring Samuel Walker. True story, but there probably is no way to prove or disprove the engraving. Just Sayin…RJS¬
S. Colt to S. Walker br If you have read my articl... (
show quote)
Man I would love to see it and own it, not because of $ value, but because of piece of HISTORY! RJ, thank you for posting this bit of history.
Robert J Samples wrote:
S. Colt to S. Walker
If you have read my article about the Republic of Texas Navy, you will already know how the Texas Rangers got their first Colt revolvers. After using the few they managed to get from the Texas Navy, the Rangers knew this was a ‘game changer’ and wanted more of this new invention.
To both improve this new weapon and get them supplied to the men fighting the Comanches, the Rangers sent Ranger Captain Samuel Walker to New York to speak directly with Samuel Colt. He told Mr. Colt that he had a ‘fine weapon’ but the Rangers would like for him to consider several changes or improvements. First instead of .36 caliber, make it a .44 caliber, six shot revolver. Make it heavier and add a trigger guard and allow the trigger to be visible in this guard. The Rangers wanted a pistol that was powerful enough to knock a man off his horse when hit with a pistol round!
This was the only fighting force that saw any future for such a weapon. No other army, U.S. or European army would even consider a handgun that Colt was offering to have any place in their armaments for combat. They were still believing in having their troops line up and fire volleys from old style muskets.
But the Texas Rangers were already engaged in ‘hit and run’ Indian tactics. An experienced warrior could launch 18 to 20 arrows from horseback, while the Rangers, or any other settler would only be able to dismount and reload his rifle once! Now, having six shots available allowed the Texas Ranger to remain mounted and blast six powerful shots at his enemy.
It was said that a Ranger who could afford it would have four revolvers; two in his saddle holsters and two on his hips. That way he would have 24 rounds, so he could ride into combat and equal to the Comanche with a quiver full of arrows. The first encounters with better armed Rangers must have been a great surprise for the Comanches.
This is part of the reason for an equal standoff at the battle of Plum Creek, it really was a wild melee and both sides were trading shots over many miles. The Comanches were trying to get back home with all their stolen horses and loot.
After they arrived back home, it was reported that Chief Buffalo Hump said he would never do this again because he had warriors dying a week after they got back home. The Ranger Captain had given orders to “burn them” meaning get so close that the enemy would have powder burns on his body from the blast of the Colt pistol.
After his trip to New York and visiting with Samuel Colt, Samuel Walker never lived to get one of the pistols named after him, the Walker Colt. Samuel Walker was killed by a sniper in Mexico during the U.S. Army’s punitive invasion of that country.
Now, fast forward: Sometime, within the last decade, there was a gun show some were in Texas and an individual who was a part time collector came across a Walker Colt that from all he could tell was an original of the first shipment made to the Texas Rangers. It was expensive, will over $200,000, and it was far more than he felt comfortable in paying, but it was a ‘once in a lifetime chance’. So, he swallowed hard and bought it.
Upon getting back home, the first thing he decided to do was to give his new purchase a thorough cleaning. He begins to dissemble the weapon and when he removed the grips, this is what he discovered. There on the handle, below the grips was engraved the following: From S. Colt to S. Walker! If this was legitimate, his purchase had jumped from $200,000 to perhaps over $1,000,000 due to it being one of a kind and honoring Samuel Walker. True story, but there probably is no way to prove or disprove the engraving. Just Sayin…RJS¬
S. Colt to S. Walker br If you have read my articl... (
show quote)
Great story and a wonderful look back in history.
Thanks RJ.
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