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The cylinders of prototype rifles were enclosed, both front and rear, by flash plates. Upon firing, the plate could – and sometimes did – deflect flame from burning powder downward to set off other loads. These “flash plates” were deleted from production models. The inlaid stocks are checkered. The guns lacked forearms; if the off hand supported the gun in traditional style – i.e., directly below the barrel – it would almost certainly be burned by expanding gas.

John Pearson built a number of Colt prototypes in 1835. The size of these prototypes ranged from 4 lb., 4 oz. for the hefty .53-caliber martial pistol, with its barrel machined and bored from rifle stock, to diminutive .33-caliber pocket pistols. Some of these pistols included integral bayonets, which allowed the user to defend himself with the pistol when it was empty. Barrel assemblies were later stamped “S. COLTS PATENT FEBR. 25 1836.” Trigger assemblies were built either to drop down upon cocking the hammers or fold down manually.