Colt: An American Classic

by Michael E. Haskew

The year 2015 marks the 180th anniversary of Colt’s first patent for a firearm with a revolving cylinder and the 160th anniversary of the enterprise originally named Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company. During that time, Colt and the succession of firms that continue to bear his name have produced iconic revolvers and rifles that have done nothing less than shape the course of history. Among these are the first Colt Paterson revolver in 1836, the Colt Single Action Army of 1873, popularly known as the Peacemaker and the “Gun that won the West,” the Model 1911 pistol, and the M16 assault rifle, emblematic of the American military experience in Vietnam. Today, Colt are best known for the M4 Carbine, stalwart of every branch of the U.S. military, the CQBP (Close Quarters Battle Pistol), and popular civilian models, such as the Colt Defense CM901 rifle and Colt Match Target series. Illustrated with more than 200 artworks and photographs and accompanied by exhaustive technical specifications, An American Classic is an expertly written account of the firearms produced by one of the world’s best-known and easily recognized gun manufacturers.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2015

About the author

Michael E. Haskew is the editor of WWII History Magazine and the former editor of World War II Magazine . He is the author of a number of books, including The Sniper at War and Order of Battle. Haskew is also the editor of The World War II Desk Reference with the Eisenhower Center for American Studies. He lives in Hixson, Tennessee.