laststandonzombieisland

At the end of the 19th century, Colt Firearms was very well known for their revolvers; indeed, every man worth his salt (and quite a few women) carried a Colt. But as their six-shooters were earning the name ‘peacekeeper’ around the world, business-minded engineers in Hartford were saying, what if we sell a companion rifle, chambered for the same rounds as our hit revolvers? Then make another version for big game and then a third in a smaller caliber for target practice?

That, my friends, is what you call lightning in a jar—and the genesis of the Colt Lightning pump action rifle.

James Perry Pierce c. 1880 Sheriff with Colt Lightning rifle

Read the rest in my column at Guns.com