Elisha Collier

Collier's flintlock revolvers

Elisha Haydon Collier (1788–1856) of Boston invented a flintlock revolver around 1814. His weapon is one of the earliest true revolvers, in contrast to the earlier pepperboxes which were cumbersome and inaccurate multi-barreled guns prone to misfires, or even exploding.^[1] In addition to being single-action, Collier's revolver was self-priming: a compartment automatically released gunpowder into the pan when the hammer was cocked.^[2][3][4]

It was patented in 1818, produced from 1819 by John Evans & Son of London, and used in quantity by the British forces in India. Over 10,000 were made between 1819 and 1824. A single barrel allowed greater accuracy and a faster reload time while reducing unnecessary weight. However, its flintlock action was a serious drawback: flints were unreliable and had to be changed frequently, while inferior quality powder risked a misfire.^[5]

Samuel Colt saw weapons of this type while serving as a cabin boy aboard the brig Corvo in 1832.^[6] Following his return from the Far East he was inspired to create his own caplock revolver: the Colt Paterson.^[7]

In addition to handguns, Collier also produced revolving shotguns and carbines in the 1820s.^[8] Only 150 of these now rare guns were made.^[9]

In the 1830s Collier invented a new boiler for steam engines. He wrote a book on the subject, which was published in 1836.^[10] In 1839 Collier designed a machine for mass-producing nails for the Globe Dock Factory, Rotherhithe, Surrey.^[11]

Collier lived in England from 1818 until 1850, when he returned to Boston, Massachusetts. By this time Colt's cheaper mass-produced revolvers had supplanted his earlier, hand made designs.^[12] Collier is listed as living at 88 Eliot Street in an 1850 census, where he died on January 23, 1856.^[13]

References

1. ^ Bowman, H.W. (1963). Lucian Cary. ed. Antique Guns (4th printing ed.). Greenwich, Connecticut: Fawcett Publications. p. 94. 
2. ^ "Flintlock Revolver from Elisha Collier". My Armory Discussion Forums. April 2008. http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=132015. 
3. ^ Elisha Collier revolver schematic
4. ^ Image of Elisha Collier's revolver
5. ^ Shaver, Bob (November 22, 2004). "Collier's Flintlock Revolver". Patent Pending Blog. http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2004/11/colliers_flintl.html. 
6. ^ "Samuel Colt". Paterson Museum web site. http://patersonmuseum.com/local/source/samuel_colt_.htm. 
7. ^ Ricketts, H (1962). Firearms. London. 
8. ^ Chapel, Charles Edward (2002). Guns of the Old West. Courier Dover Publications. p. 202. ISBN 9780486421612. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=oYwvC6VegwMC&pg=PA202&lpg=PA202&dq=elisha+haydon+collier#v=onepage&q=elisha%20haydon%20collier&f=false. 
9. ^ "Lot 3067: Rare Collier Revolving Percussion Shotgun". Invaluable: Online Live Auctions web site. 2009. http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/rare-collier-revolving-percussion-shotgun-1-c-63cafa5398. 
10. ^ On the Superior Advantages of the Patent Improved Steam-boilers, invented by E. H. Collier, etc. With a plate. 1836. 
11. ^ The mechanic's magazine, museum, register, journal and gazette. 31. 1839. p. 130. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GAsAAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA160&lpg=PA160&dq=elisha+haydon+collier#v=onepage&q=elisha%20haydon%20collier&f=false. 
12. ^ "Elisha Hayden Collier's 1820 Flintlock Revolver". The Colliers of Massachusetts Family Page. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Wade-Collier-MA/PHOTO/0067photo.html. 
13. ^ "Collier, Elisha Haydon". American Firearms web site. 27 February 2011. http://www.american-firearms.com/american-firearms/z-html/company-C/Collier,%20Elisha%20Haydon/Collier,%20Elisha%20Haydon.html. 

Persondata
Name	Collier, Elisha H.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1788
Place of birth
Date of death	1856
Place of death