His observation that the revolver would carry as far and strike with the same or greater force than the .54 caliber Mississippi Rifle seems to have been based on a single observation of a Mexican soldier hit at a distance of well over one hundred yards. The Walker, unlike most succeeding martial pistols and revolvers, was a practical weapon out to about 100 yards.
Yep, I've read Ford's memoirs a number of times, remarkable reading
And later on in that very same collected writings he goes on in depth about the revolver versus the bow and arrow.
People made all sorts of claims back then before they had chronographs and could calculate ft pounds.
I dunno that a five-pound hand-held revolver has ever been a "practical weapon out to 100 yards" as we understand the term today.
Samuel Walker had every reason to want a hand cannon on account of he had been run through with a Comanche lance and just about died from it three years earlier.
Colt did refine 'em with his subsequent Colt Dragoons, but Jeff Davis in the '50's, gave the ground-breaking 2nd US Cavalry ("AKA Jeff Davis's Own") the then brand-new .36 Colt Navies and Minie-rifled .58 cal. carbines when he coulda just as easily given 'em .44 Dragoons.
Once metallurgy improvements allowed Colt Navy-sized .44's by 1860, Walker-sized revolvers were pretty much out the window.
Birdwatcher
