The Story Begins
Following the U.S. economic crash in 1837, Colt was forced to halt his production of revolvers. However, once normality resumed, he began a new fad that would see him become one of the wealthiest inventors of his time. Assisted by Eli Whitney Blake and Captain Samuel Walker, they founded the Walker Colt. Instantly, the US Army took to the new revolver like fish to water.
Daniel Baird Wesson. (Photo by Kean Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Colt’s likable persona and outstanding sales skills enabled him to drive up demand for his gun beyond American shores.