NRA Museums Bringing Special Firearms Showcase to SHOT Show in Las Vegas

By NRAHQ

Note: This article was originally posted on NRA Blog: In 1838, Samuel Colt began manufacturing the world’s first mass-produced repeating firearms at Patterson, New Jersey. Among the first of these was a carbine that attracted favorable attention from the U.S. Navy, which purchased 360 for military use — this example is one from that group. Based on its military inspector’s stamp and serial number (924), it is quite likely that this carbine was with the U.S. Marines when they made their first wartime landing at Veracruz during the Mexican War. The repeater then accompanied the Marines as they marched on to victory with Gen. Winfield Scott at Mexico City and “the Halls of Montezuma.” Despite positive reports on the repeater, it could not be manufactured at a price that most people were willing to pay. As a result, Sam Colt temporarily went out of business.