Samuel Colt popularized the revolver. His factory produced 100,000 ... M1873 would go on to become an icon of frontier life and western expansion after the war. Another company no less important ...

1825 ca. - Percussion-cap guns are in general use. 1830 - The back action lock appears. 1835 - The first Colt revolver. Samuel Colt developed the first mass-produced, multi-shot, revolving firearms.