Colt Paterson Percussion Revolver, No. 5, Holster Model, serial no. 528 1813 - 1865

Samuel Colt made this Colt Paterson Percussion Revolver around 1838 in the United States. This particular model, serial number 528, is a No. 5 Holster Model. The Colt Paterson revolver represents an important innovation in firearm technology, as it was among the first repeating firearms to be commercially produced. But its production also took place during a period of territorial expansion and conflict with Indigenous populations in the American West. The widespread availability of firearms like the Colt Paterson significantly altered the balance of power during this era. Historians consult a variety of sources to contextualize objects like the Colt Paterson, including company records, military archives, and accounts from individuals who lived during this time. Through such investigations we can consider the social and political impact of technological innovation.