This Model 1847 Colt Walker was the largest, most powerful revolver made, until the advent of the Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum. Notice the extra long cylinder, bullet nose loading lever, square back triggerguard, and the thumbnail curve of the grips, as they join the frame. These are all identifying features. Made famous by Clint Eastwood in his western movies, this 1847 Walker was designed by Samuel Colt, per the suggestions of Samuel Walker of the Texas Rangers. It was manufactured at Eli Whitney's factory, and is known as the Whitneyville Walker. This was Colt's first true commercially successful pistol, after years of producing the ill fated Patterson revolvers, which were too small and dainty. This pistol launched the Colt's Patent Firearms Company to success and fame.
In used condition the revolver has some marks on the cylinder from the latch. The color case hardened frame, hammer, and loading lever have a good amount of color remaining. The 9" octagon to round barrel is fitted with a brass blade front sight. The bore is bright. The cylinder is factory engraved with a famous battle scene, and marked MODEL U.S.M.R.. The cylinder is fitted with blued steel nipples. Most loading manuals recommend the .451" round ball, which works, but we strongly recommend the .454" round ball, which gives better compression and best accuracy. To load the .454" ball, without shearing lead, your cylinder mouth must be very slightly chamfered. If you revolver shears lead during loading, polish the cylinder mouth with a marble and fine emery paper, until the ball is entirely compressed into the cylinder, during loading. This is one secret of success with the Walker revolver. Use our #Ox-Wad-44-W lubricated wad under the ball, or wipe a small amount of bullet lubricant over the ball, filling the cylinder mouth, after loading. Bore butter, or #Lube-SPG bullet lubricant work well. Crisco vegetable grease is a popular choice, but vegetable greases do not lubricate as well as animal fats. Petroleum grease works, but is hard to remove during cleaning. The majority of the revolver's identifying factory marks can be found on the base of the gun. The serial number is evident at the front of the frame and on the barrel assembly. Just above the loading lever the gun is marked A.S.M. BLACK POWDER ONLY CAL 44 MADE IN ITALY.
This 1847 Walker was the largest revolver produced by Colt, and the most powerful revolver made, until Smith & Wesson released their .44 Magnum. Due to metallurgy problems, many of the 1,100 original Colt Walker revolvers failed in service, due to split or cracked cylinders. Colt reduced the cylinder length on all later models. Today, our best quality steel alloys allow full loads with black powder, using .454" round balls, or .451" Colt style bullets for .44 percussion revolvers. Bullets produce greater energy, since they are heavier than balls, but the .454" round ball beats everything else we have tested, for accuracy.
The grips are fine grained walnut, finished and varnished. The grips have tiny handling marks in the varnish, from normal handling. We recommend using our inexpensive #TOOL-KEY-B brass wedge drift punch, sold separately, to allow easy removal of the wedge, without marking the surfaces. The loading lever retaining spring is tight, to prevent the loading lever from dropping during recoil, which is one problem with this early design. The hammer is notched, forming a rear sight, with maximum sight radius, when cocked.
We offer the correct Walker flask, and Walker nipple wrench. We strongly recommend the nipple wrench, which is required to service and clean this revolver. However, we recommend our #Flask-Colt, which was also issued by Colt, instead of the larger #Flask-Walker. The Colt flask has a smoother action, and dispenses charges more quickly.
