About the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co. Collection
The Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company Factory Collection was donated 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. The collection also includes Colt-made Gattling guns, shotguns, and automatic weapons. In 1995, the original “Rampant Colt” statue that had adorned the Hartford Colt factory was added to the collection as a museum acquisition. The Connecticut State Archives houses the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co.’s paper records. See Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company Collection and Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company Records for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Can you appraise my Colt firearm?
No. Museum of Connecticut History and Connecticut State Library employees cannot give appraisals.
I would like to donate or sell my Colt firearm.
Please review our Collections Donations page. We are not currently adding firearms to our already extensive collection, but we may be interested in non-firearm materials from Connecticut gun makers.
I have a Colt firearm with a serial number. Are you able to tell me more about it?
Our curators are happy to quickly review the Factory Collection model records to see if they can answer your question. The following books can also assist with your model research:
The Book of Colt Firearms by R. Q. Sutherland and R. L. Wilson (1971)
Colt Firearms, 1836-1960 by James E. Serven (1960)
Where can I learn more?
Contact the Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Co., now Colt CZ Group North America:
https://www.colt.com/archive-services/
I would like to view items from the Colt Collection that are not currently on exhibit.
The museum’s curators do provide special in-house viewings of collections by scheduling a Research Appointment. Please contact the Collections Curator (Beth.Burgess@ct.gov or 860-757-6532) to arrange an appointment.