Tuesday, August 2, 2016

The Gun that Won the West


Historical fiction requires a lot of research, even the small details. Since a pistol would play a small but important part of my Intrigue under Western Skies series, I dove into the history of firearms. The plot demanded that it be a revolver, a six-shooter, and I didn’t have to dig into my research long before I found the gun. The Colt Single Action Army, SAA, Model P, Peacemaker, manufactured in 1873, invented by Samuel Colt.


Mr. Colt was an interesting man, though he didn’t have a thing to do with my novel. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1814 and was indentured to a farm at the age of eleven. Unlike most of his peers of such low birth, he had an opportunity to go to school, but it was his natural creativity that led to his patents.

His plants produced several versions of revolvers for the army until his company began production of the 1873 model. It became popular with ranchers, lawmen and outlaws alike. Bet you didn’t know only five bullets were loaded into the six shooter at the time. The first cylinder was kept empty since the gun could fire accidentally, so that first shot had to be cocked twice. I had to tweak my plot to accommodate that fact.

Here’s another interesting tid-bit. Samuel Colt didn’t design the Peacemaker. He died in 1862. His wife, Elizabeth who was pregnant with their fifth child at the time, took over the company. She worked behind the scenes, but she managed the plant and its 1500 employees.

How did the gun get its name? From Mr. Colt’s quote, penned in 1852, over twenty years prior to the Peacemaker’s introduction. “The good people in this world are very far from being satisfied with each other, and my arms are the best peacemarker.


I’m not really a gun person, but I got so caught up in my research on the Peacemaker, I desperately wanted to put this gun on the cover of the second book in my series. Antiques being too expensive, I ordered a replica. It even weighs four pounds like the original. Naturally, I had to get a replica gun belt too, complete with bullets. Here’s to the revolver that won the west. No cowboy would leave home without it. This picture isn't for the cover, but you see how realistic it is.

As I said, this gun plays a significant part in the first two books in my western series, and I’m giving away a copy of the first book, Pursued, to celebrate STT’s second birthday bash. 




Carianne Barlow never expected to leave her Philadelphia townhouse and travel to the wild west of 1884, but when she inherits a fortune, conditions are attached. She must carry out her grandmother’s vision of a western culture center anchored by a library to rival those of the east.
Such an undertaking takes political support, and no one is more influential in the west than Rhyan Cason, a handsome cattle baron with the reputation of hardened businessman and rabble-rousing lobbyist. Carianne gets on the west-bound train with no thought of the treacherous world awaiting her in the little prairie town near Rhyan’s sprawling ranch.
 When Rhyan asks her to catalog his library, Carianne jumps at the chance without considering the ramifications. But menacing undercurrents run through the town, and she learns too late Rhyan is pursued by a sinister enemy determined to destroy everything he cares for—including her.

21 comments:

  1. Great post! I love that you actually ordered a replica to full understand the feel and use of the gun. That's what I call research. :-)

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    1. Hi Linda

      I don't often get so caught up in research, but Samuel Colt fascinated me, I guess. I named one of my secondary characters Colt.

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    2. I agree with Linda, that's so cool you ordered one. :) I put one together once at the Texas Ranger Museum. They're a lot heavier than you expect. :)

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  2. Wow I misspoke. STT is celebrating our THIRD birthday. Where does the time go?

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  3. Happy birthday, Stitches Thru Time!

    Elaine, great post on the fascinating tidbits found during research. During the research I did for a recent manuscript submittal, I found many intriguing facts. Fun to get lost in those historical fact-finding trips! Very interesting about Mr. Colt's wife continuing with the business...strong women. Great quote about the naming of the Peacemaker.

    I just finished reading Cloaked in Love...and loved it! The tie-in to crocheting...and the "stitches" blog is so fun!

    Thanks for your post, Elaine!

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    1. You are so sweet, Sherida. Thank you for joining us in our Birthday Bash.

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  4. So happy for Stitches! Love this post! Research is valuable and you did a great job! Thank you!

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    1. Always happy to have you stop by, Melanie. Thanks for your kind comment.

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  5. Good research makes any story so much more realistic and history lovers especially appreciate knowing that the facts woven throughout the story are true.
    I would love to win your book.
    Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks Connie, for sure you're in the drawing and stay tuned. Lots of great reads given away all month.

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  6. Interesting history about the Colt's and the Peacemaker revolver. Historical research is worth the time and effort to discover. A big happy second birthday to STT. I'm enjoying this blog so much. Thank you to everyone you contributes. God bless all.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today, Marilyn, and blessing to you. Research is worth the time. I got so interested in Mrs. Colt, she might show up in one of my future projects.

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  7. Interesting story about Samuel Colt. Every year when the Sears Roebuck toy catalog arrived I spent hours drooling over the pistols. That's all I ever wanted for Christmas until I was twelve. Never owned but one doll that I can remember and I didn't know what to do with it. lol.

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    1. Hi Patricia,

      When I was a little girl, we played cowboys and cowgirls (no Indians). I had a holster and cap pistol. Loved to shoot them and smell the "smoke". And I had a Dale Evans cowgirl outfit. Such fun we had.

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    2. Pat, you mean you didn't have the dolly kidnapped by the outlaws and the good guys come and rescue her with pistols drawn? :D

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  8. Great post! I enjoy reading about all the historical research that goes into books.
    Pursued looks like a great story!

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  9. I'm not a gun person either, but this post was very interesting. Especially how his wife took over the business. I think it's fascinating finding out things from history that I never heard of before.

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  10. I love hearing about the research that goes into a story! !

    Ember99 at Hotmail dot Com

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