{"product_id":"original-u-s-colt-nickel-plated-open-top-pocket-model-22-short-revolver-serial-no-96635-made-in-1877","title":"Original U.S. Colt Nickel Plated Open Top Pocket Model .22 Short Revolver, Serial No. 96635, Made in 1877","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Colt Open Top Pocket Model single action revolver chambered in .22 Short, with a 2 3\/8\" barrel, nickel plated finish, and matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e96635\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating manufacture to \u003cstrong\u003e1877\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is an attractive late production example retaining substantial original plating, figured walnut grips, clear factory markings, and a functional but somewhat finicky action.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Open Top Pocket Model was introduced in the early 1870s as one of Colt’s first metallic cartridge pocket revolvers. This example is serial numbered:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e96635\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewith matching numbers on the bottom of the grip and underside of the barrel lug, indicating production in \u003cstrong\u003e1877\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel measures approximately 2 3\/8\" and the revolver is chambered in .22 Short. The cylinder length is consistent with .22 Short rather than .22 Long. The top of the barrel retains the original Colt address between the correct \u003cem\u003ecross pattée\u003c\/em\u003e ✠ dingbats:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLT'S PT. F.A. CO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHARTFORD CT. U.S.A.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the frame is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e22 CAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel wedge remains functional and can be withdrawn to allow removal of the barrel assembly for normal takedown and cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe revolver retains a substantial amount of its original nickel plating. The barrel shows especially strong surviving plating on the underside near the muzzle, while other areas exhibit cleaned remnants of old peppered oxidation. The brass frame retains more than 80% of its plated finish, with wear through along the edges. The cylinder no longer retains visible plating and may have been left with a different original finish, though its exact original surface treatment cannot be confirmed from the present condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figured walnut grips retain approximately 50% of their old glossy varnish finish and remain in very good condition overall, with no major cracks or chips. The remaining finish and grain give the revolver an attractive period appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, the revolver presently cycles and dry fires, but the action is somewhat finicky. When the hammer is drawn back slowly, the cylinder indexes correctly and the cylinder stop engages. If the hammer is cocked more quickly, the hand can advance the cylinder slightly too far before the stop engages. The bore is in very good condition with a mostly bright surface and clearly visible lands and grooves. There is evidence of old fouling and oxidation that has since been cleaned. These observations describe only the present mechanical and bore condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the revolver is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1877 production date, matching serial number 96635, .22 Short chambering, 2 3\/8\" barrel, substantial nickel plated finish, figured walnut grips, clear Colt address, and strong bore, this is an appealing example of Colt’s early metallic cartridge pocket revolver production. The finicky indexing, localized plating loss, cleaned oxidation, and uncertain original cylinder finish are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Colt pocket revolver, Open Top, .22 rimfire, early cartridge handgun, or advanced 19th century American firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1877\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Colt's Patent Firearms Mfg. Co.\u003cbr\u003eModel: Open Top Pocket Model .22\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial No.: 96635\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .22cal Short\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 2 3\/8 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 5 5\/8 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Single\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: 7 Shot Revolver\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and Design of the Colt .22 Open top Revolver:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDesigner : William Mason and Charles Brinckerhoff Richards\u003cbr\u003eDesigned : 1871\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company\u003cbr\u003eProduced: 1871-1877\u003cbr\u003eNumber built: 114,200\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Colt Open Top Pocket Model Revolver was a single action pocket revolver introduced by the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in 1871. Introduced a year before the Colt Open Top (a model from 1872) and two years before the Colt Peacemaker and the Colt New Line (both introduced in 1873), 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen the Rollin White patent for metallic cartridges 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 1870s the firearms market was awash with cheaply made knockoffs of the .22 caliber Smith \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frame was brass and sometimes silver or nickel plated. The barrel and cylinder were either blue or nickel plated. Rosewood or walnut grips on a bird's head style frame made for a comfortable pistol to shoot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoading was accomplished via a groove in the frame rearward of the cylinder and early models incorporated an ejector rod until 1874. After that, a shooter would need to remove the cylinder to empty the brass casings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheap copies imported from Spain and Belgium drove down the demand for these revolvers and Colt stopped manufacturing them by 1877.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45681858576453,"sku":"ONJR26AURA32","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/4D564102-26B3-486F-939A-60AC5018BBDE.jpg?v=1788376385","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-colt-nickel-plated-open-top-pocket-model-22-short-revolver-serial-no-96635-made-in-1877","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}