Daniel Elkins

He is an old hunter buddy of John Winchester, and up to season 1's Dead Man's Blood, the owner of the Colt.

Background
It assumed that one time, he and John worked together (or taught John) since they use the same way to communicate; drop boxes. Daniel Elkins is more a Vampire hunter than a hunter. In fact, John tells the boys it was Daniel's specialty.

He is in a bar writing in his journal when he notices vampires. So he quickly heads back to his cabin, and quickly heads to a safe. He unlocks the safe, only to be confronted by the vampires. He attempts to load the gun, but is too late, and is killed by the vampires. During this time, the vampires steal the colt from him.

With his death, it draws out Sam and Dean, who recognized the name in the paper (Dean saw it in dad's journal). So they go investigate the cabin, and Sam finds a drop box location. At the drop box, they are reunited with John again, and he reads the letter Daniel addressed to him. In this letter, John finds out that Daniel had the colt.

Season 4
It is shown in season 4, that Daniel had the colt for awhile. He had the colt before John and Mary were even married. This is shown when Dean comes for the colt, and Daniel points at gun at Dean. The gun is returned to Daniel though.

Appearances

 * Dead Man's Blood
 * In The Beginning