The design was essentially similar to revolver type pistols, with a rotating cylinder that held five or six rounds in a variety of calibers from .36 to .64 inches.

Colt began experimenting with revolving rifles in the early 19th century, making them in a variety of calibers and barrel lengths.

[5] In March 1836, Colt formed the Patent Arms Company and began operation in an unused silk mill along the banks of the Passaic River in Paterson, New Jersey.

His first product was a ring-lever revolving rifle, available in .34, .36, .38, .40, and .44 caliber, in which a ring located forward of the trigger served to cock the hammer and advance the cylinder for each shot.

Colt's revolving rifles were quite effective against this, and the army purchased his products for use by troops in the Florida campaign.

The principal problem was that gunpowder would sometimes leak from the paper cartridges in field conditions, lodging in various recesses around the firing cylinder.

When this happened with the Colt Revolving Rifle, a spray of metal would be sent forward into the left arm and hand of the user.

The design of the Colt revolving rifle was essentially similar to revolver-type pistols, with a rotating cylinder that held five or six rounds in a variety of calibers from .36 to .64 inches.

A cartridge (consisting of powder and a lead ball) was loaded into the front of the chamber and then compressed with a plunger that was located beneath the barrel.

In addition to being susceptible to chain fire problems, the revolving cylinder design also tended to spray lead splinters into the wrist and hand of the user.

The weapon performed superbly in combat, seeing action with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry Union forces at The Slaughter Pen while covering the withdrawal of Jon Millers Brigade during the Battle of Murfreesboro[13] and Snodgrass Hill during the Battle of Chickamauga during the American Civil War.

[2][3] The volume of fire from this weapon proved to be so useful that the Confederate forces were convinced that they were attacking an entire division, not just a single regiment, but still, the Ohioans ran out of ammunition, and surrendered.

When used in the Civil War the soldiers in all branches of the service disliked them exceedingly on account of the flash and loud report so close to the face and dangerously strong recoil when several chambers went off at once.