Pictures Of the Factories

[SIGP2101]

Originally Posted by Wastoute

My recollection of historical progress was that somewhere around 1890 to 1900 was when machine tooling really began, and in some respects it was. I had thought that prior to that era even Colt SAA had to be assembled from parts that were hand forged into rough shape, filed, then hardened and ground into a final "Go-No Go" piece for assembly. Turns out early mills were around some 30 years or so before that so perhaps that 1860 to 1890 and the process of machining was really in evolution on conjunction with metallurgy to provide some steels for cutting and others for products.

I guess "W-group" tool steel was the first. I wonder if they even really knew why it was harder. Perhaps all they knew was "some ores produced harder steel" and they could use that for cutting softer steel. Then "high speed" steel in the 1910s really opened things up, and carbide in the 50s.

Colt was a pioneer in machining tools and tooling. Most of the machines were produced in Hartford and exported throughout the world. Here are some of the early Colt's machines produced in Colt's armories. Most of the black powder revolvers were produced on those type of machinery.

For those who would like to know more here is interesting article from 1857 describing Colt's armory at that time.

Armory

Pictures are courtesy of Connecticut State Library. I have many more but getting tired of resizing them just to be able to upload to server.

Enjoy!