Colt's · Pistol

Colt First Model Deringer

Name: Colt First Model Deringer
Brand: Colt's

Break action · .41 Short Rimfire · introduced 1870

Also known as Colt No. 1 Derringer, Colt First Model Derringer, Colt-National No. 1 Deringer

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About the Colt First Model Deringer

The Colt First Model Deringer is a single-shot, .41 rimfire pocket pistol produced by Colt from 1870 to 1890. It originated with Daniel Moore's National No. 1 deringer; after Colt purchased the National Arms Company in 1870, it continued the all-metal design as the First Model. The barrel pivots sideways for loading and a knife-blade extractor lifts the spent case. With its short 2.5-inch barrel, spur trigger, and standard scroll engraving, it was a popular and easily concealed defensive pistol of the era.

When Colt acquired the National Arms Company in 1870, it absorbed Daniel Moore's compact .41 rimfire deringer and rebranded it as the Colt First Model, marking Colt's entry into the booming pocket-pistol trade of the post-Civil War era.

Colt First Model Deringer specifications

General

Type: Pistol
Action: Break action
Firing mechanism: Hammer-fired
Trigger: Single action
Calibres: .41 Short Rimfire
Magazine capacity: 1 rounds

Dimensions

Barrel length: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Overall length: 121 mm (4.8 in)
Height: 64 mm (2.5 in)
Width: 22 mm (0.9 in)
Weight (empty): 0.20 kg (0.44 lb)
Weight (loaded): 0.21 kg (0.46 lb)

Barrel

Rifling: Right hand

Materials

Barrel: Steel
Receiver / frame: Steel
Finish: blued

Performance

Muzzle velocity (typical): 130 m/s (427 fps)
Muzzle energy (typical): 71 J (52 ft·lb)
Effective range: 7 m

History

Introduced: 1870
Discontinued: 1890
Production status: Discontinued
Country of origin: US
Designer: Daniel Moore

Features

Side pivoting barrel
Knife blade extractor
Scroll engraving
All metal construction
Spur trigger

Safety

Half cock notch

Inherited from the National Arms Company No. 1 deringer following Colt's 1870 buyout. Estimated 6,500 produced of the First Model; approximately 15,000 across the First and Second Models combined. All-metal construction distinguishes it from the later Third Model (Thuer), which used wood grips.