The Gun Barons

Hover over a photo to learn more

Tap a photo to learn more

Horace Smith

Horace Smith, who rose from apprentice bayonet forger to firearms industry titan.

Credit: Public domain

Eliphalet Remington

Eliphalet Remington, founder of the firm that bore his name and produced guns for more than two centuries.

Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Samuel Colt

Showman, inventor, business titan, huckster Samuel Colt, holding an 1851 Navy revolver.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Oliver Winchester

Carpenter turned shirtmaker turned gunmaker Oliver Winchester.

Credit: Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody WY

Christopher Miner Spencer

Christopher Miner Spencer, inventor of many things, including a repeating rifle used by Union forces in the Civil War.

Credit: Windsor Historical Society, Windsor CT

Daniel Baird Wesson

Daniel Baird Wesson and his wife, Cynthia. Wesson is holding what appears to be a pepperbox pistol.

Credit: Roy G. Jinks collection

Their Guns

Click on an image to enlarge

Smith & Wesson’s big bore Model 3 revolver sits atop the company’s tiny first revolver, the Model 1. Credit: Photo by Shan Gordon
Colt’s popular 1851 Navy revolver above an earlier but more powerful Colt Dragoon. Credit: Photo by Shan Gordon
A Volcanic pistol made by the New Haven Arms Company, Oliver Winchester’s first firearms venture. Credit: Photo by Shan Gordon
A Henry rifle (above) with a Winchester Model ’66, the first firearm to be named for Oliver Winchester. Credit: Photo by Shan Gordon
The repeating cartridge gun invented by versatile genius Christopher Miner Spencer. Credit: Photo by Shan Gordon
The repeating cartridge gun invented by versatile genius Christopher Miner Spencer. Credit: Photo by Shan Gordon
A cased “Walker Colt” with tools and powder flask, which sold at auction in April 2018 for $1.8 million. Credit: Rock Island Auction Company, Rock Island IL

Additional Images

Click on an image to enlarge