Firearms History — Colt Story

The History of Colt
— 185 Years of American Guns

From Samuel Colt’s 1836 revolving pistol to the modern Colt Python and 1911 — the 185-year history of America’s first and most iconic firearms company.

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185 Years of Colt

Samuel Colt and the Invention That Changed Warfare

In 1835, a 21-year-old Samuel Colt whittled a wooden model of a revolving pistol during a sea voyage. He patented the design in England and France in 1835, then America in 1836. The Paterson Colt — the world’s first commercial repeating firearm — changed warfare, won the American West, and launched an industrial empire that still operates today.

YEAR	MILESTONE
1835	Samuel Colt patents the revolving action in England and France
1836	Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Mfg Co. established in Paterson, NJ — Paterson Colt
1847	Walker Colt — largest most powerful cap-and-ball revolver ever made — 15,000 made for Mexican War
1873	Colt Single Action Army adopted by US Army — ‘The Peacemaker’
1877	Colt Double Action Model — first double-action Colt revolver
1900	Colt Model 1900 — John Browning’s first Colt pistol design
1911	Colt M1911 adopted by US Army — John Browning’s masterpiece
1929	Colt Detective Special — first compact revolver for concealed carry
1955	Colt Python introduced — finest production revolver of the 20th century
1974	Colt Python production peaks — $368 retail in 1974
1977	Colt AR-15 SP1 — first civilian AR-15
1985	M16/M4 military contract continues — AR platform dominates
1999	Colt exits consumer revolver market — Python discontinued
2013	Colt files Chapter 11 bankruptcy — first time
2015	Colt emerges from bankruptcy
2020	Python reissued — new manufacture with improved internals
2026	Colt produces 1911, Python, King Cobra — all command premium values

The Python Legend

Why the Colt Python Is the Most Valuable Modern Revolver

The Royal Blue FinishOriginal Python barrels were individually hand-polished to a mirror ‘Royal Blue’ finish that no production revolver has matched before or since. Each Python took 7+ hours of skilled hand work.

The ActionThe Python’s double-action trigger was set and adjusted by hand at the factory. A factory Python trigger rivals custom-tuned revolvers from other makers. Many consider it the finest production DA trigger ever made.

The 1999 Discontinuation and Value ExplosionWhen Colt discontinued the Python in 1999, values immediately began climbing. By 2019, a Python that retailed for $368 in 1974 was selling for $2,000–$3,500. Colt’s 2020 reissue brought new Pythons to market but didn’t suppress vintage values.

Colt Values in 2026

Colt Python 4″ vintage (1955–1999): $2,200–$4,000. Colt Python 4.25″ reissue (2020+): $1,200–$1,600. Colt King Cobra 3″: $900–$1,150. Colt 1911 Government Model: $900–$1,150. Use gunprice.com/ for your specific Colt’s value.

FAQs

Colt History FAQs

Is Colt still in business?

Yes — Colt’s Manufacturing Company operates in West Hartford, Connecticut, and New Hartford, Connecticut. After two bankruptcy filings (2013, resolved 2015), Colt continues producing the Python, King Cobra, Anaconda, and 1911 lines for civilians, and military/LE contracts for M4 variants.

What is the rarest Colt revolver?

The 1st Generation Colt Single Action Army in .44-40 with 7.5″ barrel in nickel finish with original factory box and papers. Specialty configurations (engraved, presentation grade) command $50,000–$150,000+.

The Complete System