ALS signed “S. C.,” one page both sides, 8.25 x 10.75, March 17, 1854. Heavily edited draft of a letter addressed to J. Santhill in Brussels, in part: "I enclose you the copy of a note from Mr. Newton, which added to what I have before written, is conclusive as the protection I have in my Belgium patented rights. I want to know in detail what each of the respectable manufacturers of arms at Leige say in answer to the recent instructions I gave reducing my prices for the parts of my arms sent to Belgium to add them in the aparrent [sic] wants. If they should not be wanted there let me know it at once & I will give further directions about them. The British Government having adopted my arms into their service & ordered all I can make induces me…as early an answer to the question, whether or not the Belgium Government or the manufacturers at Liege require the parts of arms refired too." In fine condition. Colt was an expert promoter of his innovative firearms, and in 1854 the British Admiralty ordered 4,000 Navy Model Colt revolvers. Although it took him another year to convince the British Army to do the same—they ordered 5,000 pistols for Army issue in 1855—he was already promoting his guns as if they were the staple of the British military. A fantastic letter revealing Colt's keen instincts as a businessman—both in marketing and in the protection of his patent.
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