Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer Pocket Revolver
| Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer | |
|---|---|
Colt Root 1855 Revolver, Model 2, cal .28
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| Type | Single-action revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | American Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Elisha K. Root |
| Designed | 1855 |
| Manufacturer | Colt Firearms |
| Produced | c. 1855–1870 |
| No. built |
.28 caliber = 30,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 17-ounces (3.5-inches octagon barrel) |
| Length | 8-inches (with 3.5-inch barrel) |
| Barrel length | 3.5- or 4.5-inches |
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| Caliber | .31 ball/conical bullet, .28 ball/conical bullet |
| Action | single-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 7-800 feet per second |
| Effective firing range | 25 yards (accurate defense) |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | post front sight, topstrap notch rear sight |
.28 caliber = 30,000
The Colt Model 1855 Sidehammer, also known as the Colt Root Revolver after engineer Elisha K. Root (1808–1865), was a cap & ball single-action pocket revolver used during the American Civil War and made by the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in two calibers: .28 and .31.
In the revolver configuration of the patented revolving mechanism, only one model of revolver was produced. The only two available calibers for the revolver were .28 and .31. The production of the revolver started in 1855 and lasted until 1870. In spite of the complexity and ambition of its patented design, the Sidehammer revolver never reached the status of a popular gun.
Production began in 1855 with the Model 1 followed by the Model 1A and then the Model 2 beginning with serial number "1" and ending in 1860 at about "25,000". These models had a roller-die engraved scene referred to as the "Cabin and Indian" scene. Production continued with the Model 3 which has a fluted cylinder
The standard barrel length was 3 1/2 inch (4 1/2 inch for the Model 5A, 6A, 7A). Calibers were .28 (Model 1 - 3) later .31 (Models 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7). Octagon barrels (Model 1 - 4). Round barrels (Model 5 - 7).
The cylinder scene engraved on the first 25,000 pistols was created by banknote engraver Waterman Ormsby. The image was his fourth and last to be featured on Colt revolvers. The overall scene is 1 1/16 inch wide by 3 1/4 inch long. At one end of the scene is the text, "COLT'S PATENT No. 14705". The image contains a pioneer defending himself against an attack by six Indians in Seminole-style attire using a pair of revolver pistols while (assumedly) his wife and child are escaping. Along the top of the scene (the edge of the cylinder which is closest to the pistol barrel) is a "finely detailed wavy line and dot border".
The Model 3, 4 and 5 had a fluted cylinder (with indentations between the loading chambers), preventing the application of a continuously engraved scene. Some cylinders were decoratively hand-engraved.
The Model 6 and 7 had a round cylinder, with the rolled on "Stagecoach Holdup" scene by W. L. Ormsby.
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