Russo-Turkish War of Liberation 1877-1878

Chapter Three - Small arms of the warring states - Ottoman empire

Revolver "Colt" model 1851

The outdated percussion revolvers system Colt model 1851 were part of the armament of the Turkish army. It is interesting to note that they had been introduced to the Ottoman Empire thanks to Samuel Colt and his sense for trade. The enterprising tradesman and owner of the arms factory gave Sultan Abdul Medjid-Chift the expensive present of richly decorated revolvers of this system. He knew well that at that moment the Empire was aspiring to primacy over Russia with regard to the armament of its army. He was right. The Sultan ordered 5,000 percussion revolvers Colt, which at that time had managed to occupy solid positions on the international arms markets. The revolver Colt was irrevocably outdated during the Russo-Turkish War. The revolver with metal unitary cartridges system Smith & Wesson was ascending to the horizon of arms production.