The Colt Dragoon revolver is part of the collections of the Department of Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. For more information visit: www.metmuseum.org
One of the most famous firearms in history, the Colt revolver was first developed by Samuel Colt in the early 19th century, with patents granted in 1835 and 1836. The gun’s simple but effective design, as well as its rapid firing ability as a result of a revolving chamber, made it a popular sidearm for both civilians and the military throughout the 19th century and beyond.