Sam Colt started it all. In 1836 his Colt Paterson became the first truly workable revolver. Chambered in both .36 and .40, it was a smallish, somewhat fragile five-shooter.
I’ve always been enamored is it okay to be enamored? with the Model 12. If you’re not up to speed, it’s a K-Frame S&W with an aluminum alloy frame weighing about 18 oz. in the 2" version. Early guns were made for the Airforce and even had aluminum cylinders, but it was soon found they just didn’t hold up.