Revolver many European gun-makers, in numerous designs and configurations. However, these weapons were difficult to use, complicated and prohibitively expensive to make, and as such they were not widely distributed. In 1836, an American, Samuel Colt patented the mechanism which led to the widespread use of the revolver, the mechanically indexing cylinder. According to Samuel Colt, he came up with the idea for the revolver while at sea, inspired by the capstan, which had a ratchet and pawl mechanism on it, a version of which was used in his guns to rotate the cylinder by cocking the hammer. This provided a
.38 Short Colt .38 Short Colt The .38 Short Colt (.38 SC) / .38 Short Center Fire (.38 SCF) was a heeled bullet cartridge intended for metallic cartridge conversions of the cap and ball Colt 1851 Navy Revolver from the American Civil War era. Later, this cartridge was fitted with a diameter inside-lubricated bullet in the 125–135 grain range. Visually, it resembles a .38 S&W but the case dimensions are slightly different. The .38 Short Colt case is the parent to .38 Long Colt and .38 Special. Remington is one of the few producers of this cartridge today with a 125grs LRN bullet.