The novel's text mentions "Colt" and "Smith & Wesson" revolvers as symbols of the Wild West. These names became household words for firearms in general, and are inseparably tied to the American dream of freedom and justice embodied in the figure of the cowboy.
Colt's Manufacturing Company
Founded in 1855 by Samuel Colt, Colt's Manufacturing Company revolutionized firearms by producing the first practical revolving-cylinder handgun. The famous 1873 Colt Single Action Army, nicknamed the "Peacemaker," became a symbol of the era of the American West.
Colt revolvers were known for their reliability, simple construction, and distinctive look. The 1873 model came in various calibers, the most popular being the .45 Colt. Sheriffs, cowboys, soldiers, and outlaws alike carried it — everyone who made the history of the Wild West.
"God made men, but Colonel Colt made them equal" — a popular 19th-century American saying.
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson was founded in 1852 by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson. The company made its name by creating the first practical revolver with a break-open cylinder and self-contained metallic cartridges. Its 1869 model became a serious rival to Colt's revolvers.
What set Smith & Wesson revolvers apart was the ability to reload quickly — the cylinder swung out to the side, letting the shooter eject every spent casing at once and load fresh cartridges in one motion. That gave a real edge in a fight compared with Colt revolvers, whose cartridges had to be loaded and ejected one at a time.
Symbolism in the Context of 1990s Russia
The mention of "Colts" and "Smith & Wessons" in the context of 1990s Russia is no accident. These names had come to symbolize justice and order imposed by one's own hand — precisely what was missing in the chaos of transitional Russia.
The image of the cowboy with a revolver embodied manliness, self-reliance, and a readiness to stand up for oneself. Amid the legal nihilism and criminalization of society, many Russians romanticized the American Wild West as an era when justice triumphed through the decisive action of individuals.
A Fun Fact
The pagers mentioned in the text were a status symbol in early-1990s Russia. The contrast between pagers and revolvers underscores the gap between the New Russians' show of civility and their pull toward "simple," forceful solutions.
Cultural Influence
Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers became an inseparable part of American pop culture. Hundreds of Westerns, from the classic John Wayne pictures to Sergio Leone's spaghetti Westerns, made these brand names recognizable the world over.
In 1990s Russia, American action films and Westerns were enormously popular. The tough guy with a revolver became the archetype of the "real man" for a whole generation raised amid upheaval.
Both companies are still in business today, producing both classic models and modern firearms for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense.