06 Austrian Colt-Innsbruck Revolver and Accessories in Case, 1849

Fotogalerie

The Innsbruck version of the Colt revolver has been of interest to collectors and researchers for many years. Interestingly, during his tour of Europe in 1849, Samuel Colt (1814–1862) did not arrange for the licensed production of his revolvers in one of the well-known gunmaking centres, but instead concluded a contract with Josef Ganahl, owner of the K. k. Maschinenfabrik, a gun factory founded in Innsbruck only in 1841. The model was the 1848 Colt “Dragoon” army revolver, which was produced at the factory in Hartford, Connecticut. However, it was smaller in size, weight and calibre. The license agreement was for five years and later extended for two more years. During this period, about 1,000 revolvers were made and then modified for European military use. It was planned to introduce them into the armaments of the officers of the Austrian Navy, but Ganahl probably did not reach an agreement with his command and sold the revolvers to officers who purchased them at their own expense. The Innsbruck Colt was also offered on the civilian market. Some of these pieces were highly decorated and offered in cases with accessories.

Length 283 mm, barrel length 134 mm, .36 calibre, weight 1,154 g.