United States · founded in 1855
Colt's Manufacturing Company
American revolver pioneer and original licensee of the M16.
History
Founded by Samuel Colt in 1855, the company pioneered mass-produced firearms with interchangeable parts. The 1873 Colt Single Action Army became a symbol of the American West. In the 20th century Colt fielded the Model 1911 in .45 ACP, designed by John Browning, U.S. issue sidearm for over 70 years.
From 1959 Colt acquired the rights to ArmaLite's AR-15, evolving it into the M16 and then the M4 carbine: three generations of rifles equipping the U.S. military from Vietnam to today. After decades of financial ups and downs, Colt was acquired in 2021 by Česká zbrojovka (CZG), joining a transatlantic group.
Iconic products
- →Colt Single Action Army (1873) — the 'Peacemaker'.
- →M1911 — U.S. service pistol for over 70 years.
- →M16, M4, M4A1 — U.S. infantry from Vietnam to today.