Smith & Wesson® is one of the most well-known American firearm manufacturers. While the brand makes a variety of innovative rifles and shooting accessories, they were originally known for their superior revolvers. If you love these revolvers and want to learn more about their history, below is an introduction.

The First Successful Smith & Wesson Firearm

Business partners Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson founded their company in 1852. They wanted to create a repeating firearm and self-contained ammunition cartridge. Two years later, they made the Smith & Wesson .41 Magazine Pistol, also known as "The Volcanic," which was the first successful American repeating firearm. However, it wasn't until 1857 that they developed a revolutionary weapon: the Model 1.

The Model 1 was unique to other revolvers of the time because it was quick and efficient to load. Early revolvers used a round ball, black powder, and a percussion cap in the rear of the loading chamber, which was similar to loading a musket. However, the Model 1 used a self-contained metal cartridge that resembled a .22 caliber round that is still used today. Soon after that, Smith & Wesson started producing .32 and .44 caliber revolvers, as these were more powerful. 

Notoriety Within the Law Enforcement Community

The next innovation was in 1880, when they developed a .32 caliber, double-action revolver that had a concealed hammer. In 1899, the gun manufacturer began its relationship with law enforcement with the creation of the .38 Military & Police Revolver® or the Model 10®. The revolver remains in continuous production, with more than 6 million units produced. Since its first production, the Model 10 has been one of the top sidearms for law enforcement personnel throughout the United States.

History's Most Famous Firearm

The Model 10's popularity helped solidify Smith & Wesson as a world-class revolver manufacturer. Throughout the years, Smith & Wesson revolvers continued to evolve to keep up with the times, such as the creation of bulletproof vests after World War I. Since gangsters predominantly wore these vests, Smith & Wesson experimented with more powerful handgun designs, eventually creating the .357 caliber Model 19 in 1935, which was the first magnum revolver. This bullet was fast enough to pierce the armor, giving police officers an advantage. In 1955, the company introduced the impressive .44 magnum Model 29, which was made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie "Dirty Harry" in 1971. This is still one of the most famous and recognizable guns in history.

If you want to purchase a Smith & Wesson revolver, visit Shooter's Firearms & Indoor Range in Columbia, IL. This gun and ammunition store carries a variety of firearms, including vintage and modern pistols. They have an indoor shooting range for you to practice, and they even offer affordable concealed carry classes. Call (618) 281-6393 to speak with a team member about your needs, and visit the website for more information about their services.