Make: Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co.

Model: No. 1 Rimfire Deringer 

Serial Number: 4418

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1875

Caliber: .41 Short Rimfire

Action Type: Single Action, Single Shot Side Loading

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S. PT.F.A.MFG.CO.HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A, No1 ”. The bottom of the barrel and grip are marked with the serial number. The Frame is marked “B”. There is filigree engraved throughout.

Barrel Length: 2 1/2”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded brass blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a slot in the hammer spur.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is integral to the silver-plated brass frame. The grip has checkered panels on the back and on each side. The frame retains a high amount of its silver plate with only small areas worn through to the brass. There are some tiny nicks and minor scratches. The checking is well defined. Overall, the grip is in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Silver-Plated Brass & Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is scattered erosion and minor pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8.5/10.

Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.

Overall Condition: This derringer retains about 80% of its metal finish. The barrel has scattered finish wear, showing some minor oxidation. This has made for a nice patina over the years. The frame has some finish loss, but retains much of its silver plate. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches; mostly observable on the top of the barrel. The action shows light operational wear. The knurling is strong. The screw heads have strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The hammer has a safety notch. The lockup has light play. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this derringer. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards..

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The first large-caliber metallic cartridge derringer, Moore’s Patent Fire Arms Co. produced the No. 1 Deringer from 1860-1865. The design would be taken over by National Arms Co. and produced through 1870 when it would in turn be bought by Colt after the Civil War ended. 

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. 

There were 6,500 No.1s produced between 1870-1890, and 9,000 No.2s, each series being individually serialised.The design is simple, compact, yet has significantly more punch than contemporary .22 derringers.

This example is in Fine condition as Antique, retaining much of its original finish and strong mechanics. These little guns are quite collectible and retain their investment value.