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WALKERS AND DRAGOONS

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According to R.L. Wilson’s Colt: An American Legend, Captain Walker and the subsequent six-shot percussion revolvers Colt produced were the “key to the mint.” Although quite large, these handguns were immediately successful and by 1847, both orders and favorable publicity were flooding Sam Colt’s mailbox. It was this gun that allowed Colt to return in triumph to Hartford, the city of his birth, and begin an industrial enterprise that, before his early and untimely death in 1862, became an empire.

Although the Mexican War ended in 1848, Europe and the U.S.A. were beset by troubles that caused demand for Colt’s now operationally-correct revolvers to skyrocket: the Crimean War, the California Gold Rush and, as farmers, adventurers and pioneers pushed west, the escalating Indian Wars.

The mighty Walker.

Walker, closeup of cylinder and frame.

WALKER MODEL

This revolver is named for Captain Samuel H. Walker, hero of combat in Texas and Mexico, where he was killed by a lance at the battle of Juamantla. More important, perhaps, Walker worked personally with Sam Colt, to design this new gun – and did not, as far as is known, request that his name be attached to patents or checks for royalties. The Walker is a massive revolver. It weighs 4 lb., 9 oz. and has a nine inch part round, part octagonal barrel. The cylinder holds six shots and is chambered for .44 cal. percussion. One thousand Walker Colts were manufactured in 1847, and nearly all of them saw extremely hard use. Originally this model had a roll engraved cylinder, military inspection marks and barrel stamping that read “ADDRESS SAML. COLT-NEW YORK CITY.” Practically all examples noted have had these markings worn or rusted beyond recognition. Because from a collector’s point of view the Walker may be the most desirable and sought after Colt, and because of the extremely high value of a Walker in any condition, qualified appraisal is definitely recommended. These revolvers were serial numbered A-, B-, C- and D-Company #1 to #220, and E-Company #1 to #120.