1847 Walker Revolver: the Texas Behemoth

Published on November 18, 2015
Duration: 14:35

This guide details the loading and basic maintenance for the 1847 Colt Walker Revolver, emphasizing its powerful .44 caliber and significant black powder charges. It highlights critical steps for safe loading, including proper powder measurement and projectile seating, while also addressing common design flaws like the loading lever latch and the importance of immediate cleaning due to corrosive black powder residue. The information is presented with the authority of an expert in historical firearms.

Quick Summary

The 1847 Colt Walker Revolver, a .44 caliber behemoth, was the most powerful handgun until the 1930s, designed to fire up to 60 grains of black powder per chamber. It suffered from a weak loading lever latch and metallurgy issues causing cylinder explosions, making surviving examples exceptionally rare.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 1847 Colt Walker
  2. 01:21Design Origin: Samuel Walker & Samuel Colt
  3. 03:01Production & Military Contracts
  4. 04:31Technical Specs & Scale
  5. 05:22Design Flaws: Loading Lever & Metallurgy
  6. 06:33The Picket Bullet Issue
  7. 08:30Service History & Rarity
  8. 10:11Authenticity & Markings

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main design flaws of the 1847 Colt Walker Revolver?

The 1847 Walker suffered from a weak loading lever latch that could fail under recoil. Additionally, issues with metallurgy and the use of excessive powder charges, sometimes due to improperly loaded 'picket bullets', led to frequent cylinder explosions.

How powerful was the 1847 Colt Walker Revolver?

The 1847 Walker was considered the most powerful handgun available until the introduction of the .357 Magnum in the 1930s. It was designed to be capable of killing a horse with a single shot, utilizing a substantial 60-grain black powder charge.

Why is the 1847 Colt Walker Revolver so rare today?

Very few 1847 Walker Revolvers survive due to their intense use in conflicts like the Mexican-American War, inherent design flaws leading to catastrophic failures (explosions), and the corrosive nature of the black powder ammunition requiring constant maintenance.

What caliber and capacity does the 1847 Colt Walker Revolver have?

The 1847 Colt Walker Revolver is chambered in .44 caliber and features a cylinder capacity of 6 rounds. It was designed to handle a large powder charge of up to 60 grains of black powder per chamber.

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