1847 Walker Revolver: the Texas Behemoth

Published on November 18, 2015
Duration: 14:35

The 1847 Colt Walker revolver was a powerful, large-caliber handgun designed for mounted troops, capable of killing a horse with a single shot. Despite its impressive power, it suffered from significant design flaws, including a weak loading lever and poor metallurgy, leading to frequent cylinder explosions. Only a small fraction of the original production survives due to hard use and inherent weaknesses.

Quick Summary

The 1847 Colt Walker revolver was designed as a powerful 'horse pistol' for the US Mounted Rifles, capable of killing a horse with one shot. Despite its impressive 60-grain black powder charge, it suffered from a weak loading lever and poor metallurgy, leading to frequent cylinder explosions and making surviving examples rare.

Chapters

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary purpose of the 1847 Colt Walker revolver?

The 1847 Colt Walker was designed as a powerful 'horse pistol' for the US Mounted Rifles, intended to be capable of killing a horse with a single shot during combat.

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

Key flaws included a weak loading lever latch that could fail under recoil and poor metallurgy, which, combined with high powder charges, frequently led to cylinder explosions.

How powerful was the 1847 Colt Walker compared to later firearms?

The Walker was the most powerful revolver produced until the .357 Magnum became available in the 1930s, firing a substantial 60-grain black powder charge.

Why are 1847 Colt Walker revolvers so rare today?

Many Walkers failed due to design flaws like cylinder explosions or were heavily used and damaged during conflicts such as the Mexican-American War, resulting in only about 10-15% surviving.

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