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Caption: Colt .44 caliber model 1851 Holster Pistol, 1851-1861

American Colt revolvers were purchased by the Canadian government to issue to the newly raised cavalry companies of the Canadian Volunteer Militia in 1856. These six-shot percussion weapons allowed their users to produce a hail close range fire, and replaced the sword as the cavalryman's best weapon at close range. The revolver shown in this photograph is what is known variously as the 'model 1851 Holster Pistol' or the 'Third Model Dragoon,' and more than 10,000 were produced by the Colt Factory before production shifted to the 1861 'Army' model. Colt's 'Holster' pistols were military weapons, larger than the 'Pocket' (or 'Baby Dragoon') pistols favoured by civilians. (Parks Canada)