Walker Colt Country USA Type Revolver Manufacturer Colt Introduction 1847 Specifications Weight 4.5lb (1.9 kg) Length 15.5 inch Barrel length 9 inch (229 mm) Caliber .44 ball, revolver (.454 in., dia.) Action single-action Muzzle velocity 1,000-1200+ feet per second Effective range 50 yards Feed system six-round cylinder Sights blade front sight, hammer notch rear sight

Former Texas Ranger, now Captain, Samuel Walker, United States Mounted Rifles, approached Colt with the intention of acquiring revolvers particularly suited to his horse soldiers. An army contract for 1,000 pistols with accoutrements followed in January 1847. Colt ordered an additional 100 pistols for promotional use and private sale (Wilson 1984). The revolvers were 44 caliber, almost sixteen inches in length and weighed four pounds, nine ounces. They were exactly in accord with the specifications of Colonel Walker.

Production of the original Walker was limited to the original 100 non-contract revolvers and the 1,000 units ordered under military contract. Subsequent revolver contracts began in 1848, with the most immediate changes being addition of a barrel-mounted loading lever clasp at front of the lever and the shortening of the chamber, reducing the maximum charge by about ten grains. Early revolvers continued to use some existing Walker parts, but post-transition revolving holster pistols are currently referenced separately as Dragoons.