Talk:Walker Colt

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[edit] Citations Needed

Several posts in this article are in need of citation and are likely not factually accurate. I will notate them. Roundeyesamurai 05:51, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

I am adding in additional information regarding the factual errors in this discussion page. I am not editing the front page, because I believe it to be important that people see that an attempt is being made to police the overwhelmingly great number of factually inaccurate firearms pages on Wikipedia.

In order of notation:

1) The Walker Colt was not the largest blackpowder handgun ever produced. It was (read this sentence carefully) the heaviest factory-production blackpowder revolver produced. It also (again, read carefully) utilized the largest charge of blackpowder of any factory-production blackpowder revolver produced.

2) Walker was not a Ranger at the time. He was a former Ranger (rank of Private), who had enlisted in the 1st U.S. Mounted Rifles ("Dragoons"), and subsequently recieved an officer's commission. Hence, he was a U.S. Army officer at the time the revolver was created.

3) It is nigh on impossible to prove Walker's intention for the revolver, without source material attributable to him. Although its true that this revolver served well in this capacity, it cannot be established that Walker specifically had this purpose in mind without the aforementioned source material.

4) The chambers had enough space for 60 grains, but Colt recommended a 50-grain charge. This charge was also contingent on two factors: 1) the coarseness or fineness of the powder, 2) the projectile used (see below).

5) This is a blanket statement about scores of models of blackpowder revolvers, in a multitude of different loadings, with a multitude of different specifications.

6) The Walker was originally designed with a round ball in mind; however, when the Minie ball was introduced shortly thereafter, most Walker shooters adopted them. When Minie balls were used, the charge of powder had to be significantly reduced.

7) Walker died shortly after recieving his revolvers from Colt (a matter of weeks). He had not enough time to "use them to great effect".

8) Subjective narrative. The exact circumstances of Walker's death are not known. For all we know, he may never have fired his revolvers at all.

9) Slightly more than a thousand were produced, not "1100".

10) - 13) Sources?

Roundeyesamurai 18:46, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More Of Above

There has been great progress with the article, but there are still unsourced/inappropriate statements:

1) Walker was an officer in the First U.S. Mounted Rifles at the time, not the Rangers. 2) In order to support this statement, one would need a reference to his battle record. 3) Source this. 4) This isn't applicable, since Walker revolvers were not cartridge loaders.

BTW- AF985, you cannot remove citation tage simply because of appearance.

Roundeyesamurai 06:56, 30 March 2007 (UTC)

I believe that Samuel H. Walker, of the US Mounted Rifles, was sent by General Winfield Scott to urge Samuel Colt to reopen his Paterson NJ firearms factory, which had closed by reason of bankruptcy. The two collaborated in a new firearms design and Colt was able to re-open his firearms operations using Eli Whitney’s manufactory at Whitneyville CT because of the order for 1,000 Colt’s revolving pistols and accessories. George Chabot

Good addition, George. I made a small modification to it- USMR were called "Dragoons" frequently, but Dragoons were in fact another type of unit altogether. Roundeyesamurai 05:55, 26 April 2007 (UTC)

sidebar information about manufacturing dates/dates of service are generic for non cartridge revolvers and accurate to that extent. Nevertheless, they should be changed to more specifically represent this specific revolver. The holster pistols called Walker or Whitneyville Walker were produced only during 1847 and were replaced by revolvers now popularly called "Colt Dragoons." Appropriate citation would be Colt, An American Legend by Robert L. Wilson.) The original contract called for 1,000 revolvers to be issued in pairs for carry in saddle scabards-replacements for the earlier single shot Aston Martin pistols. Each pair would share a single flask, bullet mould and combination tool. Modified orders came through that the horse soldiers would receive only one revolver. This left half of them in storage in the Baton Rouge armory awaiting additional accoutrements. (citation would be the Whitneyville walker book on the front page) The original walkers did actually number 1100 or thereabout. Colt had Eli Whitney Jr make 100 additional for promotions and private sales.

There is a persistent tendency to extend the manufacture dates of this revolver beyond 1847. Most recently until 1849. The original walker numbered 1,000 under military contract plus 100 additional non-contract units. The very NEXT production of the large USMR revolvers were modified significantly enough that they were and are known by different names. No pure-form Walkers were made after 1847 By 1849, the Dragoon revolvers with the front lever latch and shortened cylinder were in their second generation and entering the Third Model Dragoon phase. I have made some changes to the article. The basic factual information comes from the referenced whittington book with much the same information appearing in RL Wilson and many other sources. They in tern, are generally quoting or paraphrasing John Ford. J. E. Johnsons 1848 report is very interesting. I found it on the web at one time but can't seem to locate it any more. I will try to figure out how to foot note to link to referenced material (found and cited).--Mcumpston (talk) 18:08, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

--Mcumpston (talk) 21:06, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Revision to Power section

I believe the following language, added May 20, 2008, is redundant and detracts from the overall quality of the article-discussion? "Through the years the colt walker has found it worth in power and velocity, after the 44 Magnum had been developed the Colt walker has declared not the most powerful magnum. As for the colt walker hobbyist have found the colt walker as a great collector item for black powder hobbyest, and is a high level to shoot and clean." —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mcumpston (talk • contribs) 20:52, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

No discussion? I went ahead and removed the above.--Mcumpston (talk) 11:37, 23 May 2008 (UTC)