25 February - Pistol Patent Day

 

 Pistol Patent Day is observed on February 25 to mark the historic occasion when Samuel Colt received U.S. Patent No. 9430X in 1836 for his groundbreaking Colt revolver. This invention introduced a revolving cylinder that allowed multiple shots to be fired before reloading, a significant advancement in firearm technology. Prior to Colt's design, most firearms required reloading after each shot, making them slow and inefficient in combat and self-defense situations. Colt’s patent laid the foundation for the mass production of revolvers, and his company, Colt’s Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company, became a leading firearms manufacturer. His revolvers gained widespread use among the military, law enforcement, and civilians, particularly during the American Westward Expansion and the Civil War. The success of Colt’s design helped shape the modern handgun industry and influenced the development of future firearms. Today, Pistol Patent Day serves as a reminder of Colt’s innovation and its lasting impact on firearm history.