Colt Brevete Revolvers by Roy Marcot (hardcover)

Colt Brevete Revolvers by Roy Marcot from Northwood Heritage Press and North Cape Publications, Inc 
 
Until now, most collectors have considered Brevete revolvers to be illegal copies of Colt Model 1849 and 1851 Revolvers. In fact, as author Roy Marcot demonstrates, the greater majority were licensed by the Colt Factory. 
In the 1850s, Samuel Colt worked assiduously to patent his revolver concept and prevent infringements around the world. It was a losing effort and unauthorized copies of his pistols were showing up from Europe to Japan. In an example of lateral thinking, Sam Colt decided to take advantage of the situation. He informed Belgian and gun makers in other countries that he would withdraw his lawsuits if they would accept a licensing arrangement whereby he would provide parts for assembly or allow them to manufacture some or all parts in return for a royalty for each gun that passed through their country s proof house. Otherwise, he would continue his lawsuits and they would see their revolvers confiscated. 
The program worked very well. The number of spurious copies fell and the Colt factory revenue rose. 
Colt Brevete Revolvers is certain to open a whole new Colt collecting field. 
 
Colt Brevete Revolvers is a 372 page, hardcover book (12 x 10 in format) with hundreds of full-color photographs illustrating every aspect of the subject revolvers --- especially their markings.