Summary

Colt No.1 rimfire Deringer, cal. .41in., rifled oval flat top barrel 64 mmm (2 1/2 inch) long.

Made by Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co, Hartford, Connecticut. Serial number 434. Production by year not recorded on Deringer models, but circa 1875.

In fitted oak case with blue baize lining, trade label on lid inside 'Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co/ 14 Pall Mall, S.W./ London.', cleaning rod and key.

Physical Description

Knurled release latch on frame right hand side, barrel pivots left for loading. All-steel frame and grips with foliate engraving on either side of frame and barrel and top of frame, steel barrel with bladed front sight, knurling on hammer is course style and split by a central groove to act as a rear sight, light blueing on hammer remains, sheath trigger. British proofmarks stamped under barrel. Stamped on barrel with two-line Colt address. Serial number 434. Production by year not recorded on Derringer models. In fitted oak case with bronze escutcheon inlaid in lid, lined with blue baize, trade label on lid inside 'Colts Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co/ 14 Pall Mall, S.W./ London.', cleaning rod and key on bone tag with 'Pistol.case.' Original metal key slot escutcheon missing. written on tag in black ink.

Significance

The No.1 Colt Deringer is sometimes also called the National model after Colt bought out Brooklyn's National Arms Co. in 1870 whose No.1 and No.2 models were rated amongst the best concealable pistols on the market. The No.1 was an all metal deringer, the No.2 being fitted with wooden grips. All the unsold stock from National was moved to Colt's factory at Hartford, where Colt continued to manufacture the No.1 and No.2 models, later producing his own No.1 and 2 models carrying his firm's name. The use of the term National should really be applied only to those No.1 and 2s carrying that firm's stampings.

There were 6,500 No.1s produced between 1870-1890, and 9,000 No.2s, each series being individually serialised.

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