×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

Colt Model 1855 (Root Revolver)


Single-Action Six-Shot Revolver


United States | 1855



"The Colt Model 1855 - otherwise known as the Root Revolver - was the first Colt revolver to feature a solid frame design."

Physical
The physical qualities of the Colt Model 1855 (Root Revolver). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
177 mm
6.97 in
O/A Length
1.23 lb
0.56 kg
Weight
Single-Action; Rotating Cylinder; Side Hammer
Action
.28; .31
Caliber(s)
Six-Shot Cylinder
Feed
Front
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Colt Model 1855 (Root Revolver) Single-Action Six-Shot Revolver family line.
Model 1855 - Colt Company Designation
Root Revolver - Nickname based on its designer, Elijah Root.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/12/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Early Colt revolvers operated from what was known as an "open frame" design meaning that there was no supporting structure set over the revolving cylinder, making them less robust than the competing Remington revolvers. All that changed with Colt's newest handgun - the Model 1855 - which was designed by Samuel Colt himself and developed by Colt employee Elijah Root. Hence the revolver came to be known under several nicknames including "Root Revolver" and "Root Model Revolver". These guns stemmed from the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company out of Hartford, Connecticut.

Key to the design of the Model 1855 was the encased five-shot cylinder whose frame ran above and beneath it for a more sturdy gun. The cylinder was either smooth-sided or fluted depending on the product and set above and ahead of an ergonomic, wood covered curved pistol grip. Additionally, some Model 1855s were sold with engraved cylinders showcasing typical anti-Indian sentiment or stagecoach holdup scenes consistent with the times. The trigger was of a stud-trigger type with a single-action lock and finished sans a trigger ring. One major notable item of the Model 1855 design was its use of a side-mounted hammer which was set to the left side of the gun body, hinged by a screw along the right side. The hammer sported a very noticeable spur design, nearly vertical. A visible screw held the cylinder pin in place through the rear of the gun. The barrel - available in varying lengths - was naturally fitted ahead of the receiver.

The Model 1855 was offered in barrel lengths to include 3.5, 4 and 4.5 inch assemblies. It also came in .28 and .31 caliber forms which made the revolvers relatively easy to handle and fire but were soon found to be lacking in their man-stopping qualities. The Model 1855 utilized a percussion-based firing system that involved loose gun powder, percussion caps, bullets and paper-based cartridges - otherwise known as "Cap and Ball". Bullets weighed 47 grains with a 12 grain powder charge, sporting a muzzle velocity of 750 feet per second.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Colt Model 1855 (Root Revolver). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company - USA
National flag of the United States

[ United States ]
1 / 1
Image of the Colt Model 1855 (Root Revolver)
Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Going Further...
The Colt Model 1855 (Root Revolver) Single-Action Six-Shot Revolver appears in the following collections:
HOME
SMALL ARMS INDEX
SPECIAL FORCES
ARMS BY COUNTRY
ARMS MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE ARMS
ARMS BY CONFLICT
ARMS BY TYPE
ARMS BY DECADE
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ARMS
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)