Colt Pony Logo

[F/V Icy Swan]

What is that pony doing and what does it mean?

[DenverHarris]

It's a "rampant colt". A young male horse. Read all about it here:

http://www.simonpure.com/colt03.htm

Harris

[garrettwc]

That link doesn't have a lot of detail about the rampant Colt. I believe there is more detail posted here either in a thread or on the m1911.org homepage in the trip to Colt's factory story. The Colt is holding some sort of broken staff in his mouth and that symbolizes something, but I can't recall what.

[paul45]

I googled it for you........here is one of the explanations that came up.

The Story of the Rampant Colt
Here’s a fascinating story behind the Rampant Colt. Look closely and you see that the colt carries a spear in its mouth. In heraldry, a horse signifies readiness to serve the monarch. The broken spear signifies a warrior slain in battle. By carrying the spear, this warhorse is continuing the fight for his fallen rider.

[F/V Icy Swan]

Thanks for the info. I will check the story about the visit to the Colt plant. Paul, thanks for doing what I should have thought of doing. I love that story about the spear. I will remember it on Memorial Day. And St. Crispin's Day.

[Hunter]

I do believe it is a broken lance the Rampant Pony is holding and is a variation of the Colt family crest (as I was told).
It does signify valor in battle. The original Rampant Pony from the Colt factory is on display in the Hartford state library.
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/Hunter1911/2006_0717Colttrip0012.jpg

[Hill]

Talk about beating a dead horse.

[daveohno]

I read somewhere that the colt is protecting his rider by biting the spear and breaking it with his forelegs.

[Doran]

I found this some time ago but do not remember where.

Supposedly old Colt ad copy from Douglas Sheldon's book:

"In the days before firearms, when the crusaders went into battle on horseback and armed with spears-one very intellegent horse, seeing that his rider was about to be pierced by the enemy's spear-reared on his hind legs, grasped the spear in his mouth, struck out with one hoof and broke the spear. This is emblematic of the Colt-always coming to the defense of the master."

[TattooPaul]

As stated above, it stems from a legend about a seasoned knights horse rising up and grasping an opponents lance with his teeth and snapping it with his legs to protect his also seasoned rider.

I had not seen the story posted by Paul45 - another interesting take. I am not sure what the true story is, I guess, but had heard the one I posted for many years (not that this makes it true!).