[gcs7]

I was working in the shop when a discussion on what the Colt (rampant colt) has in his mouth and in his legs. Anyone know the history or other information? I will print this and take it to work. Thanks, Bill (gcs7)

 

[dfariswheel]

They're spears.

Is I recall, the Colt Pony is defending his fallen master by blocking the spears aimed for him.
All this is part of the Colt family coat of arms.

 

[A1A]

There are a couple of other threads that mention it also, but this one has nice pictures.

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6926

 

[Onomea]

"... A stallion carrying a broken spear is an ancient symbol -- the war horse continuing in battle after its master has fallen. As the Colt trademark, the stallion represented the indomitable American industrial spirit, Mr. Akeroyd said. Along with the oak leaves and acorns of the charter oak, a traditional icon of Connecticut history, the Rampant Colt became familiar throughout New England. Beginning in the 1870's it was engraved on every gun manufactured in the armory. Among the earliest of American commercial symbols, it identified the revolvers settlers carried on the Western frontier and the firearms American soldiers took into battle in world wars…."
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/07/nyregion/finding-a-stallion-a-stable-in-the-state.html

 

[capstan]

This is great information. I never realized they were the top and bottom pieces of the spear and I did not know the background on the horse breaking the spear. Im really glad I checked out this discussion.

 

[gcs7]

Whats he holding?

Thanks for the responses, The guys in the shop ( Sport trap) in Port Charlotte will find this interesting. Thanks Bill

 

[Hunter]

I had heard it was a broken lance.
The statue symbolizes a mount defending it's injured knight, showing valiance in battle.

 

[22_Matt]

If you go to see the Colt collection at the CT state museum, you can see it on the statue from the Colt dome.