114 REVOLVING PISTOLS. 



of material and workmanship, safety, simplicity, 

 durability, accuracy, and celerity of fire, great 

 length of range, force of penetration, they possess 

 important advantages both for public and private 

 service. The barrel is rifle-bored. The lever 

 ramrod renders wadding or patch unnecessary, 

 and secures the charge against moisture, or be- 

 coming loose by rough handling or hard riding. 

 The hammer, when at full cock, forms the sight 

 by which to take aim, and is readily raised to 

 full cock by the thumb, with one hand. 



A very effectual provision is made to prevent 

 the accidental discharge of Colt's fire-arms whilst 

 being carried in the hand, holster, pocket, or 

 belt. Between each pair of nipples (the position 

 of which secures the caps in their places) is a 

 small pin or notch, and the point of the hammer 

 is let down upon it ; so that if the hammer be 

 lowered on the pin, or into the notch, the 

 cylinder is prevented from revolving, and the 

 hammer is not in contact with the percussion 

 cap, so that, even if the hammer be struck vio-< 

 lently by accident, it cannot explode the cap. 



