Lever a fixed point. The lever operates by applying forces at different distances from the fulcrum, or a pivot. Assuming the lever does not dissipate or store energy, the power into the lever must equal the power out of the lever. As the lever rotates around the fulcrum, points farther from this pivot move faster than points closer to the pivot. Therefore, a force applied to a point farther from the pivot must be less than the force located at a point closer in, because power is the product of force and velocity. If "a" and "b" are distances from the
Colt Ring Lever rifles a year after acquiring fifty First Model rifles, Colonel Harney remarked that all but two were in good working order. Later in July 1839, however, a surprise Seminole attack led to the loss of thirty Ring Lever rifles, though fourteen were eventually recovered. In spite of the rifle's reliability problems, support for Colt's rifles was garnered from field officers, especially from Lieutenant Colonel Harney. Harney commented on Colt's Ring Lever rifle favorably, stating: "I honestly believe that, but for these arms, the Indians would now be luxuriating in the Everglades of Florida." Colt capitalized on Harney's testimony to produce a