AP131 - .41” R/F Colt Derringer
.41 R/F Thuer Colt No.3 Derringer vest pocket pistol; no visible serial number. With a rounded 2in. side-swing rifled barrel, open brass frame, smooth walnut birds-head grips and traces of finish; sloping hammer and smooth frame underside, sheath trigger. COLT engraved over the barrel and .41CAL to the side of the frame. Based on the Thuer patent of 1870, it included the automatic ejection on opening; this was a development of the No.1 and No.2 Colt Deringers which were based on the National Arms Co. models, Colt having taken over N.A.Co about 1872. The small vest pocket pistol derived from Henry Deringer models were popular across the US and culminated in such as the Thuer Colt version for cartridge and the later multi shot Sharps. Quite clean overall and no external rusting or pitting. Since it is in calibre .41” rimfire, it can be held as an antique.