Welcome to at the 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 High 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 fully redesigning the body. As a substitute 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 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 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 funds 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 collection and ultimately the trendy Detective Particular household. This little gun was testing concepts that might turn out to be customary many years later.
The mechanical perform 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 strong 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 fashionable designs just like the Lightning double-action. The Open High Pocket was a transitional design that acquired swept apart by progress, making survivors like this one historic curiosities relatively than collectible classics.
Most of our POTDs make the most of photographs from our pals at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms public sale in the USA. Take a while to browse their current auctions – who is aware of, perhaps you’ll discover a piece of historical past to take house!
Engraved Colt Open High Pocket Revolver | Rock Island Public sale, www.rockislandauction.com/element/5013/19/engraved-colt-open-top-pocket-revolver. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Trending Merchandise
