POTD: Colt Open Top Pocket Revolver

Welcome to right this moment’s Photo of the Day! This tiny Colt represents one of many firm’s extra obscure chapters – a pocket revolver that attempted to bridge cap-and-ball nostalgia and cartridge comfort, however ended up pleasing no person. The Open Prime Pocket was manufactured from 1871 to 1877, and this 1875 instance reveals why it by no means caught on.

The “open high” design was Colt’s try and convert their profitable pocket percussion revolvers to rimfire cartridges with out utterly redesigning the body. As an alternative of including a high strap like fashionable revolvers, they stored the cylinder uncovered on the high and relied on the barrel extension for structural help. It labored, however appeared antiquated even when it was new. That .22 rimfire chambering made sense for a pocket gun – low recoil, quiet report, low cost to shoot. The 2⅜-inch barrel supplied simply sufficient velocity to be efficient at shut vary with out making the gun too cumbersome for hid carry. However by 1875, shooters had been transferring towards extra highly effective cartridges and extra fashionable designs.

The engraving on this one elevates it above the everyday working man’s pocket pistol. Somebody paid further to decorate up what was basically Colt’s price range providing, which says one thing concerning the proprietor’s priorities. The nickel end was additionally an improve – most got here blued, however nickel was extra corrosion-resistant and appeared fancier. This design influenced later pocket revolvers. The fundamental idea of a small-frame .22 for private safety lived on in weapons just like the Colt New Line sequence and finally the trendy Detective Particular household. This little gun was testing concepts that might grow to be normal a long time later.

The mechanical operate regardless of the seen put on and pitting speaks to Colt’s manufacturing high quality. These pocket weapons took a beating from day by day carry, however the actions had been sturdy sufficient to maintain working even when the end was lengthy gone. The arduous rubber grips had been one other sensible contact – higher traction than wooden and held up higher to sweat and abuse. By 1877, Colt had moved on to extra fashionable designs just like the Lightning double-action. The Open Prime Pocket was a transitional design that bought swept apart by progress, making survivors like this one historic curiosities moderately than collectible classics.

Most of our POTDs make the most of photographs from our buddies at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms public sale in the US. Take a while to browse their current auctions – who is aware of, perhaps you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take dwelling!

Engraved Colt Open Prime Pocket Revolver | Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/5013/19/engraved-colt-open-top-pocket-revolver. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Sam.S

Author | TheFirearmBlog
Author | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Outdated soul, licensed gunsmith, revealed creator, avid firearm historical past learner, and appreciator of outdated and distinctive weapons.