Welcome to right this moment’s Photograph 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 prime” design was Colt’s try to convert their profitable pocket percussion revolvers to rimfire cartridges with out utterly redesigning the body. As an alternative of including a prime strap like trendy revolvers, they saved the cylinder uncovered on the prime and relied on the barrel extension for structural help. It labored, however regarded 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 shifting towards extra highly effective cartridges and extra trendy designs.
The engraving on this one elevates it above the standard working man’s pocket pistol. Somebody paid further to decorate up what was primarily Colt’s price range providing, which says one thing in regards to the proprietor’s priorities. The nickel end was additionally an improve – most got here blued, however nickel was extra corrosion-resistant and regarded fancier. This design influenced later pocket revolvers. The essential 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 will turn into normal many years 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 onerous 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 trendy designs just like the Lightning double-action. The Open Prime Pocket was a transitional design that obtained swept apart by progress, making survivors like this one historic curiosities somewhat than collectible classics.
Most of our POTDs make the most of photographs from our pals at Rock Island Public sale Firm, the premier firearms public sale in the US. Take a while to browse their present auctions – who is aware of, possibly you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take house!
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.
