Prized Possession

To anyone with an eye for guns, Samuel Colt's contributions to the field of hand-guns have an immediate appeal, both for the beauty of their lines and for the legendary times of which they were such an important part.

In 1865, the Taranaki Provincial Council voted the purchase of 15 revolvers to be given as prizes for shooting amongst local military units – they chose Colt revolvers. The competition was held in May 1865 with the Taranaki Herald announcing the 15 winners on 6 May. The words 'Provincial Government Prize' were stamped down the metal frame of each revolver along the outer handle.

One of the 15 awarded is in the Puke Ariki Heritage Collection. It is a Colt Navy Dragoon revolver that was awarded to Private Thomas Billing.