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Samuel Colt: biography and photos

Samuel Colt made a huge contribution to world history and the history of firearms. Being a child of wealthy parents, he achieved everything absolutely independently, except for the genetically acquired intellect and entrepreneurial veins. For 47 years of life, Colt has done much, passed through much and left much behind him. There is a well-known expression that best describes his invention: "God created people different, strong and weak, and Samuel Colt made them equal."

The origin of passion

Colt Samuel was born in 1814 to Hartford, in a completely prosperous aristocratic family, his father was a successful owner of a textile factory. For the next four years the future "great equalizer" received a toy pistol of bronze as a present. This gift became fatal, waking up in the kid an unshakable love for arms. The next day the boy had already obtained some powder. And on a small explosion, the parents realized: this is forever, the passion for machinery and firearms can not be suppressed in their child by anything.

Samuel Colt fountained not only the desire to engage in weapons, but also new ideas. So, at the age of 14 he had already constructed a four-barreled gun and built it at his father's factory. Tests of this model did not bring the expected results to the young gunsmith, but he did not stop there, continuing his way to creating the perfect weapon. As a result of one of the experiments Colt met with the mechanic Elisha Ruth, subsequently this meeting will play an important role in his biography.

Becoming a character

S. Colt, at the request of his father was sent to study in a university in another city. Maybe this desire was due to fear for his factory (in fact Samuel constantly broke something and blown up), and maybe a man wanted the best for his son to get a good education. Anyway, he did not work out with studies, because, having access to the university laboratory, he, of course, blew something up there.

The next stage of life Samuel conducts as a sailor on a merchant ship. There he not only enjoyed the delights of freedom and sea wind in his face, but studied ship mechanisms. They also inspired Colt to create the first drum with a fixation, the basis of any revolver that exists now. Colt's bullets also became cylindrical in form. He, in spite of the fact that his acquaintances did not believe in the invention, patented it, insisting on his own.

The first patent and firm

Samuel Colt invented the revolver and patented it on February 25, 1836 in America and in 1835 in France. A very important quality of this man was the ability to continue to go to his dream under any circumstances. Only those who believed in themselves and their invention could achieve a patent. Thus, the belief in what he is doing has become the most important distinctive quality of S. Colt, which enabled his biography to now look like this, and not otherwise.

A little later, Colt founded his arms company called Patent Arms Manufacturing in Paterson. Here appeared Colt Paterson - the first revolver, which was tested in battle. The firm existed smoothly until it went bankrupt.

Fateful meeting

Sometimes, so that fate shows us a sharp turn, one perseverance and diligence in work is not enough, and we need a meeting with a certain person. Such a person in the life of Colt was Samuel Walker, an officer of the body of Texas Rangers. He tried Colt's revolver in a fight with the Indians and ordered for the government a party of a thousand pieces. In 1846, Colt and Walker became colleagues, jointly producing the latest model of the Colt-Walker revolver. It was at this time that the production of arms under Colt's direction took on an industrial scale.

Costs

A well-intentioned business demanded investments. Samuel Colt realized that it was necessary to expand urgently. And in 1852 he buys land in the outskirts of Hartford, having spent a huge amount on this. But still it was necessary to build on this land a weapons factory that meets all the requirements for the production of ideal revolvers.

The construction of a state-of-the-art, state-of-the-art plant took three years, the Colt company is still there. Colt Samuel (the inventor) has made these investments of means and time, and not in vain. Subsequently, they all paid off. This speaks of his gift not only as an inventor, but also as a businessman, an entrepreneur. Over 150 years, this factory produced over 30 million revolvers, proudly engraved Colt.

Marked as "spam"

It would seem that the concept of spam appeared only after the advent of the Internet. In fact, already Samuel Colt began to do something similar - sending out samples of his revolvers. He made a good advertisement for himself on tours with a popular science show with a "laughing gas", and also traded various inventions. Colt did not disdain and gifts: he personally presented the beautiful and richly decorated copies of his revolvers to the heads of state, which caused grandiose bursts of orders. Samuel Colt, whose biography is rich and interesting, also paid people to write stories about his weapons.

Already at that time he understood that business should be moved, not only producing a quality product, but also constantly telling people about it. And even if you go for a spammer, they will find out about you and, perhaps, will be interested.

I will build my factory ...

At the plant, Colt was in strict order. Although he himself did not object to overturning a glass-another, the workers had to be like a glass. For being late was suspended from work, and the day at the plant began at 7 am. Colt was guided by some innovative principles in production.

Firstly, this is the principle of specialization: on one machine the worker performed one operation, for example, cutting or drilling.

Secondly, the principle of interchangeability: to accelerate the production of the details of weapons should be as universal as possible. This made it possible to assemble the sample very quickly from any parts.

Thirdly, this is machine production. Of course, human resources were used (for example, Colt invited to work as the manager of the same E. Ruth, then considered one of the best mechanics in the country), but the main role in production was assigned to automatic machines.

All these principles at that time were a great novelty, so the factory was often visited by visitors, journalists, just to admire the "giant iron monsters."

Elizabeth is the wife of the inventor

Samuel's wife Elizabeth was the daughter of a priest, was born in Connecticut in October 1826. With Samuel Colt they met in 1851 in Rhode Island, five years later they were married. They had four children, but all died, someone earlier, someone later. When Samuel died, the factory was inherited by Elizabeth. She managed not only not to ruin her husband's enterprise, but also to achieve his successful work.

The company exists to this day, continuing to produce a wide range of high-end firearms. Thus, Colt was destined to become successful only in work, leaving no heir, except the Colt revolver.

Left, but not forgotten

Samuel Colt died of complications associated with gout. He became a legend without exaggeration: myths and fables are written about him, he is remembered, and his compatriots are proud of him. This man bears the rank of colonel, although he has not served a day in the army, he got it for his services and assistance to the state. Samuel Colt was escorted to the last journey by the whole city, together with the governor, the mayor and the 12th Infantry Regiment. Accused accordingly to his lived life - a grand volley from his manufactured guns.

Interesting Facts

  • Samuel Colt, whose photo, or rather the portrait, you see in the article, visited Russia three times and even presented a beautiful revolver to Nicholas I.
  • He was expelled from school for trying to show fireworks to friends.
  • His name sounds in one of the series "Supernatural."
  • In 2006 was introduced to the Hall of Fame of the inventors of the United States.
  • S. Colt was self-taught.

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