"This was an action brought by Samuel Colt, of Hartford, Conn., the inventor of the Repeating Firearms usually known as "Revolvers" or "six shooters", against the Massachusetts Arms company, located at Chicopee, Mass., for the infringement of his patent-right, by manufacturing arms in which were embodied several of the improvements already secured by letters-patent to him. The investigation ... brought out the whole history of this class of arms, and is of great interest in showing the time, labor and perseverance required in reducing suggestive ideas to a practical and useful result -- and the obstacles and impediments which had to be overcome -- before this truly American invention could be introduced to public notice."