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Show your appreciation for the modern firearm on Pistol Patent Day, February 25! This special day celebrates the patent of the first functioning repeating pistol in 1836 by Samuel Colt. The invention revolutionized firearms technology and enabled shooters to fire multiple rounds without having to reload every time. It was a game-changer that has shaped gun culture as we know it today.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1836</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Colt's First Patent</div><div class='timeline-text'>Samuel Colt received his first patent for a 'revolving gun' on February 25, setting the foundation for modern firearms.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1856</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Smith & Wesson Revolver</div><div class='timeline-text'>Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson obtained a patent for a revolver mechanism that enables a gun to be fired multiple times without reloading.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1892</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Browning's Semi-Automatic Pistol</div><div class='timeline-text'>John Moses Browning received a patent for his semi-automatic pistol design, which became the basis for the modern semi-automatic pistol.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1911</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Adoption of the M1911</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Army adopted the M1911, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, designed by John Moses Browning.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1985</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Beretta Becomes US Military Standard</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Beretta 92F, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, was adopted as the standard-issue sidearm for the U.S military, signaling a shift towards smaller caliber weaponry.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Advancements in Pistol Technology</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the new millennium, handgun technology continued to evolve with the introduction of smart guns and other advancements in pistol safety and design.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a gun range</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head to your local gun range and rent out a pistol for the day. Not only will you get to enjoy the thrill of shooting a gun, but also get to learn more about proper gun safety and technique.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a shopping spree</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Browse online or visit your nearest gun shop and add some new items to your firearm collection. You can find accessories such as holsters, ammunition, cleaning kits, and more. Get ready for your next adventure.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a target practice</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather up some friends and head out to an open field or vacant lot for some target practice. Mark off some targets and see who can hit the most bullseyes!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a gun show</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There's nothing like attending a gun show to celebrate the history of guns. Browse through all of the different firearms on display, ask questions, and maybe even make a purchase or two.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie about guns</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend the day with friends watching movies about guns. Whether it is an action movie about shootouts or just an old western classic, curling up with some popcorn is always fun.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a celebration of innovation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Pistol Patent Day celebrates the invention of the modern pistol, which revolutionized warfare and helped shape history. It's also a reminder of how important it is to recognize those who have had an impact on our lives and to admire their accomplishments.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the inventor</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By celebrating Pistol Patent Day, we remember Sam Colt, the inventor of the modern pistol in 1836. He was a self-taught machinist and gunsmith who saw potential in his inventions and wanted to make sure they were available to everyone. His vision revolutionized warfare and made him one of America’s most famous inventors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes responsible gun ownership</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Pistol Patent Day serves as an opportunity for us to reflect on proper gun safety practices and responsibilities that come when owning a gun. The day also encourages individuals to learn more about proper handling techniques when using a firearm, such as how to properly store guns in homes or carry them during transport.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Samuel Colt Was Not the Inventor of the Revolver</h3><p class='facts-content'>While Samuel Colt did patent the first workable revolver, the concept of revolving firearms had been attempted before, especially in Europe, but none of them could be mass-produced or worked reliably.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Why the Name "Colt”</h3><p class='facts-content'>Samuel Colt named his company "Colt" because, as a child, he used to admire horses for their raw energy and power. This symbol later became part of the Colt logo.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Colt's Contribution to Assembly Line Production</h3><p class='facts-content'>Colt helped popularize the concept and practices of assembly line production, even before they were adopted by car manufacturers like Henry Ford. His efficiency improvements to manufacturing played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Famous Models of Colt Firearms</h3><p class='facts-content'>Several Colt firearms have reached iconic status - notably, the Walker Colt, said to be the most powerful black powder revolver, and the 1873 Colt Single Action Army, known as "The Gun That Won The West."</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Colt Produced Other Products as Well</h3><p class='facts-content'>Colt Firearms also manufactured sewing machines, capstan lathes, and precision machinery that contributed significantly to the industrial growth of 19th-century America.</p></div></div>
Pistol Patent Day is celebrated on February 25 every year. In 2024, it falls on a Sunday.
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