Elisha Collier facts for kids

Elisha Haydon Collier (1788–1856) was an American inventor from Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for inventing an early type of flintlock revolver around 1814. His design was one of the first true revolvers. It was different from older multi-barreled guns called pepperboxes. Collier's revolver was special because it could automatically put gunpowder into the firing pan when the hammer was pulled back. This made it easier to use.

Developing the Revolver

Collier's flintlock revolvers

A surviving Collier's revolver

Collier received a patent for his revolver in 1818. Production started in 1819 in London, England, by John Evans & Son. Many European military officers bought these new revolvers.

His revolver had a single barrel. This design allowed for better accuracy and quicker reloading. It also made the gun lighter. However, the flintlock firing system had some problems. Flints often broke and needed to be changed. Also, poor quality gunpowder could cause the gun to misfire.

Influence on Other Inventors

A famous inventor named Samuel Colt saw Collier's revolvers in 1832. He was a cabin boy on a ship called the Corvo at the time. After returning from his travels, Colt was inspired by Collier's design. He then created his own improved revolver, which used a different firing system called a caplock. Colt's invention became known as the Colt Paterson.

Besides handguns, Elisha Collier also made revolving shotguns and carbines (shorter rifles) in the 1820s. These revolving long guns are very rare today. Only about 150 of them were ever made.

Other Inventions and Activities

Collier was not just a gun inventor. In the 1830s, he invented a new type of steam boiler for steam ships. He even wrote a book about his boiler design, which was published in 1836.

In 1839, Collier designed a machine that could mass-produce nails. This machine was used at the Globe Dock Factory in Rotherhithe, Surrey, England.

Later Life and Legacy

Elisha Collier lived in England from 1818 until 1850. In 1850, he moved back to his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. By this time, Samuel Colt's revolvers were much more common. Colt's guns were cheaper and made in large numbers. This meant Collier's older, handmade designs were no longer as popular.

Collier lived at 88 Eliot Street in Boston. He passed away there on January 23, 1856. His early work on revolvers helped pave the way for future firearm designs.