Elisha Collier

Elisha Collier
Born	Elisha Haydon Collier 1788 Boston, Massachusetts
Died	January 23, 1856 Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation	firearms designer

Elisha Haydon Collier (1788–1856) of Boston invented a flintlock revolver around 1814. His weapon is one of the earliest true revolvers, in contrast to the earlier pepperboxes which were cumbersome and inaccurate multi-barreled guns prone to misfires, or even exploding.^[1] In addition to being single-action, Collier's revolver was self-priming: a compartment automatically released gunpowder into the pan when the hammer was cocked.^[2][3][4]

It was patented in 1818, produced from 1819 by John Evans & Son of London, and used in quantity by the British forces in India. Over 10,000 were made between 1819 and 1824. A single barrel allowed greater accuracy and a faster reload time while reducing unnecessary weight. However, its flintlock action was a serious drawback: flints were unreliable and had to be changed frequently, while inferior quality powder risked a misfire.^[5]

Collier's flintlock revolvers

Samuel Colt saw weapons of this type while serving as a cabin boy aboard the brig Corvo in 1832.^[6] Following his return from the Far East he was inspired to create his own caplock revolver: the Colt Paterson.^[7]

In addition to handguns, Collier produced revolving shotguns and carbines in the 1820s.^[8] Only 150 of these now rare guns were made.^[9]

In the 1830s Collier invented a new boiler for steam ships.^[10] He wrote a book on the subject, which was published in 1836.^[11] In 1839 Collier designed a machine for mass-producing nails for the Globe Dock Factory, Rotherhithe, Surrey.^[12]

Collier lived in England from 1818 until 1850, when he returned to Boston, Massachusetts. By this time Colt's cheaper mass-produced revolvers had supplanted his earlier, hand made designs.^[13] Collier is listed as having lived at 88 Eliot Street in an 1850 census, where he died on January 23, 1856.^[14]

References

1. Bowman, H.W. (1963). Lucian Cary, ed. Antique Guns (4th printing ed.). Greenwich, Connecticut: Fawcett Publications. p. 94.
2. "Flintlock Revolver from Elisha Collier". My Armory Discussion Forums. April 2008.
3. Elisha Collier revolver schematic
4. Image of Elisha Collier's revolver
5. Shaver, Bob (November 22, 2004). "Collier's Flintlock Revolver". Patent Pending Blog.
6. "Samuel Colt". Paterson Museum web site.
7. Ricketts, H (1962). Firearms. London.
8. Chapel, Charles Edward (2002). Guns of the Old West. Courier Dover Publications. p. 202. ISBN 978-0-486-42161-2.
9. "Lot 3067: Rare Collier Revolving Percussion Shotgun". Invaluable: Online Live Auctions web site. 2009.
10. "Collier's Patent Steam-Boilers and Safety Breathing-Tube". The Mechanic's Magazine. XXVI (695): 161–164. 3 December 1836.
11. On the Superior Advantages of the Patent Improved Steam-boilers, invented by E. H. Collier, etc. With a plate. 1836.
12. "The mechanic's magazine, museum, register, journal and gazette". 31. 1839: 130.
13. "Elisha Hayden Collier's 1820 Flintlock Revolver". The Colliers of Massachusetts Family Page.
14. "Collier, Elisha Haydon". American Firearms web site. 27 February 2011.