Colt Research

Researching Topics Related to Colt

The Connecticut State Library and the Museum of Connecticut History have many resources for researching Colt Manufacturing, Colt Firearms, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt, Coltsville National Historical Park, Patents, buildings, and more.

Here you will find links to guides on major resources relating to different aspects of the topic Colt. Additional information may be found by searching our PRIMO library catalog; Archives Finding Aids, the site, and our databases.

Feel free to contact us regarding research at the Connecticut State Library.

• Research Guide to Materials Relating to Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company Research Guide to Materials Relating to Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in the Connecticut State Library, State Archives, and Museum of Connecticut History.
• Colt Collection at the Museum of Connecticut History Site: “The Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company Factory Collection was given to the Museum of Connecticut History in 1957. The collection constitutes one of the finest assemblages of early Colt prototypes, factory models and experimental firearms in the world.”
• Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company Collection, circa 1864-1961 (PG 460) The collection consists primarily of photographs depicting company administrators anhttps://ctstatelibrary.org/PG460.htmld employees, the Colt’s armory in Hartford and other Colt-related properties, events, promotional material, and firearms.
• Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company Records, circa 1810-1980 (RG 103) The records of Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company document gun manufacturing at the armory and the company’s subsidiaries, together with outside contracting activities.
• Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company This collection includes images of company administrators, employees, visitors to the Armory, interior and exterior factory views (including from the fire of 1864 and floods of 1936 and 1938), other Colt properties, events, promotional materials, and many firearms.
• Coltsville Timeline Timeline and federal legislation for the creation of the National Park
• Colt Related Flickr Albums The Connecticut State Library Flickr albums has many images related to Colt. Please attribute any images use to the Connecticut State Library.
• HistoryPin – CSL Collection The Connecticut State Library (CSL) collection on HistoryPin includes material related to Colt.

Other Institutions

Besides looking at our additional resources in the See Also box, the following institutions may be of interest.

List inclusion or exclusion should not be considered endorsement or lack or endorsement.

• Coltsville National Historical Park National Park Service’s web page on Coltsville National Historical Park.
• Coltsville Heritage Partnership, Inc. Facebook page for Coltsville Heritage Partnership, Inc.: “Our mission is to work in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and others in order to support Coltsville…..by helping the NPS provide the richest visitor experience to the widest audience possible and ensuring the protection and interpretation of the cultural and historical heritage of Coltsville and the surrounding communities through philanthropy, advocacy and public awareness, education and research, preservation, and volunteerism.”
• Colt Firearms Collection – Wadsworth Atheneum Site: “The Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt Collection came to the Wadsworth Atheneum upon the death of Mrs. Colt in 1905. A time capsule of Victorian Hartford, the collection includes American and European paintings and sculpture, the furnishings and contents of Armsmear—the mansion-house built by Samuel Colt in 1857—and Colt’s personal collection of firearms, edged weapons, and armor from around the world. The latter gathering not only includes prototype weapons from Colt’s firearm company, but also rare and historic pieces given as gifts to Colonel Colt by czars, princes, and sultans.”
• Colt’s Manufacturing Company Company’s website. Note: Archive Services

See Also:

Additional information may be found by searching:

• Search Primo Primo is the CT State Library catalog. Search for books, articles, and more!
• A-Z Databases Lists databases (subscription and free) available through the Connecticut State Library (CSL). Some have remote access with a card from CSL
• Research Guides and Site Search
• Chronicling America – Historic American Newspapers.