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Make: Colt
Model: Open Top Pocket .22 Revolver
Serial Number: 90648
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1871–1877
Caliber: .22 Rimfire
Action Type: Single Action Side-Loading Revolver
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “-COLTS PT> F>A MFG Co/ HARTFORD CT.,U.S. A”,. The left of the frame is marked “.22CAL”. The bottom of the barrel and the butt are each marked “90648”. The revolver has been embellished with hand engraving throughout. The engraving does match other well published factory engraved revolvers giving us the idea that it is indeed factory engraved and embellished by Colt.
Barrel Length: 2.5”or 2 3/8 inches respectively
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the hammer.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a two-piece smooth walnut. The grips have minimal wear. Some of the original finish still shines. There are no cracks. There are no chips. The scuffs are commonplace and look to be of honest use. Overall, the grips are in about fine condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original.
Bore Condition: The bore is dark with well defined rifling. There is scattered moderate erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.
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 pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The remaining nickel is bright as this gun has seen minimal use. There is scattered surface rust as is common with engraved antiques. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp with serviceable slots; the side plate screw has been replaced. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about excellent condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The cylinder does properly advance when the hammer is drawn back but the hammer does not stay cocked when desired; the action does not function correctly. The cylinder locks up with little play on each chamber. The barrel has light play to the frame. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Colt Open Top Pocket Model Revolver was a single action pocket revolver introduced by the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in 1871. The Colt Open Top Pocket Model Revolver was, alongside the Colt House Revolver, one of the two first metallic cartridge rear-loading revolvers manufactured by Colt's. It also was one of the first pocket metallic cartridge revolvers made by the company. When the
Rollin White patent for bored-through cylinders in firearms manufacture expired (c. 1870) the
Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company started working on its own metallic cartridge revolvers (Colt had previously been manufacturing the so-called
Richards-
Mason conversions). Thus, Colt introduced its first rear-loaders in 1871: the
Colt House/Cloverleaf and the Colt Open Top Pocket Model Revolver.
In the 1870s the firearms market was awash with cheaply made knockoffs of the .22 caliber
Smith & Wesson Model One which sold for about $2. Colt's president
Richard Jarvis decided it would not compete directly with the knockoffs; that its .22 would be of Colt quality. The Open Top Pocket was priced at $8.Though it's not at the original obtainable price this revolver is in fine shape and has stood through time. This Colt original engraved and nickel manifestation of meticulous manufacturing has waited one hundred and fifty years just to belong to you .Its in fine condition and will make a masterful addition to any Colt Collection.