Interesting Patent Case—Colt's Pistols

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Samuel Colt, against IToung & Leavit. This case has occupied much of the public attention, inasmuch as the speeches of counsel were published in some of our daily papers. The plaintiflf was Samuel Colt, the well-know inventor of the fire-arms which bear his name, and the defendants were a well-known firm in this city. The plaintiff prayed for an injunction to restrain the defendants from infringing his patent. The case has been before the court in this city more than a single term. The presiding Judge Nelson reserved his decision until the 10th inst., when he gave it against the defendants and ordered an injunction. The defence set up was, that the invention laimed in the patent was not new, the main loint of which is that the breech is revolved ly drawing the trigger. This combination ot he revolving breech with the lock. Judge kelson considered to have been fully substan-iated as belonging to Colt—his invention. Colt's patent was extended for 7 years in 849, and has therefore four years to run be-[)re it expires. Col. Colt himself is now in Cngland with a number of American mecha-ics, to establish the manufacture of his fire-rms there, at the solicitations of the British [overnment.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 10This article was published with the title “Interesting Patent Case—Colt's Pistols” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 10 (), p. 77
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican11201852-77b

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe