Henry Deringer Jr. was a pioneering American gunsmith whose name became synonymous with a class of pocket-sized firearms that revolutionized personal defense. Although he never established a formal company under his name, his compact, single-shot percussion pistols became legendary, shaping the development of concealed carry weapons in the 19th century. This article explores the life...
Category: Pistols
The Simeon North and John Hall Firearms Revolution: The Birth of Interchangeable Parts and Precision Manufacturing
Few names in early American firearms history are as significant as Simeon North and John Hall. These two men—working largely independently—pioneered the technological advancements that would forever change firearm manufacturing. Simeon North, a Connecticut-based gunsmith, played a crucial role in developing the first truly interchangeable parts system for pistols, while John Hall, a gifted inventor...
Colt 1860 Army Revolver: History, Specs, and Legacy
The Colt 1860 Army revolver is one of the most iconic firearms of the American Civil War era, widely regarded as a masterpiece of mid-19th-century firearms engineering. Designed by Samuel Colt, this revolver combined firepower, reliability, and portability, making it a favorite among Union soldiers, lawmen, and civilians during and after the war. With its...
The Colt Model 1900: The First of a New Era in Semi-Automatic Pistols
The emergence of the Colt Model 1900, or M1900 Pistol, marked a pivotal moment in the history of firearms. As the first semi-automatic pistol produced by Colt’s Manufacturing Company, this groundbreaking firearm played a key role in shaping the evolution of modern handguns. Commonly referred to as the Colt .38 Automatic Pistol, the Model 1900...