1847 Colt Walker

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	Weapon: 1847 Colt Walker Type: Revolver Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1847 Overall Length (mm): 390.0 Overall Length (in): 15.35 Weight (kg): 2.00 Weight (pounds): 4.41

The 1847 Colt Walker was a powerful single-action revolver designed by Samuel Colt in collaboration with Captain Samuel H. Walker of the Texas Rangers. It was intended to provide superior firepower for mounted troops, featuring a six-shot cylinder chambered in .44 caliber. With a massive 9-inch barrel and an overall weight of approximately 4.5 pounds, the Walker was one of the largest and most powerful black powder revolvers ever produced. Its robust design allowed for increased powder capacity, giving it exceptional stopping power compared to earlier handguns of its era.

Production of the Colt Walker was limited, with only around 1,100 units manufactured in 1847 by Eli Whitney Jr.'s factory in Connecticut. Of these, 1,000 were issued to the U.S. Mounted Rifles for use in the Mexican-American War, while the remaining 100 were sold on the civilian market. The revolver saw extensive use in battle, proving to be a formidable weapon despite some design flaws, such as a weak loading lever latch and a tendency for cylinders to rupture due to its high powder charge. Nevertheless, it was well-regarded by cavalrymen for its unmatched firepower.

The Colt Walker remains one of the most iconic and valuable firearms in American history. It played a significant role in establishing Colt's reputation as a premier firearms manufacturer and directly influenced later models such as the Colt Dragoon series. Due to its rarity and historical significance, surviving examples are highly sought after by collectors, with original Walkers fetching record prices at auctions. Today, the Colt Walker is remembered as a symbol of the Texas Rangers and a defining firearm of the American West.