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William Mason

Who designed the Single-Action Army? The answer is that no single person was responsible for the revolver’s creation. As is the case with many large and well-established companies, the revolver was the product of the combined efforts of a number of talented individuals.

When the Model P is laid alongside the main percussion Colts that preceded it, its pedigree is obvious, and it is clear it evolved from these by way of improvements and various upgrades. In fact, its basic action is little changed from Sam Colt’s very first revolver design.

Nevertheless, when the single action was being created, the company no longer had the creative talents of its founder or Elisha Root, both of whom were deceased. William Mason was the man who was key in pulling together the various elements that resulted in the creation of Colt’s very successful solid-frame cartridge revolver.

Mason, who was born in Massachusetts in 1837, had run the Mason Machine Works during the Civil War. Before coming to Colt, Mason had assigned two of his revolver patents to Remington. During his life, Mason registered over 100 patents for inventions that included mechanical devices, firearms, machinery and bridges.

When Mason arrived at Colt in 1869, his technical expertise and innovation was especially important. He was responsible for the design of the side-mounted ejector rod system of the Single-Action Army while Charles B. Richards designed the loading gate. It seems these two men had much to do with the design and development of the revolver.

Later, Mason would play a major role in the design of the company’s first double-action revolvers. William Mason died in 1913.