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LOT 1132
Extremely Rare Silver Alloy Colt Second Model Derringer Pistol without
the Typical “AM. Sterling” Marking - Serial no. 3640, 41 RF cal., 2 1/2 inch flat
topped round bbl., silver alloy finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1870 to 1890,
this fascinating Colt Second Model or “National Derringer” is among the rarest of
all Colt handguns and certainly of Colt’s popular derringers, being made of a very
scarce, experimental silver alloy. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: “+ COLT’S PT.
F.A. MFG. CO./HARTFORD CT.U.S.A.” followed by No 2+.” The serial number, “3640,” is
stamped on the bottom of the bird’s head butt, on the underside of the barrel, and
hand marked in ink on the inside of both grip panels. The sides of the frame and
top of the grip strap are decorated with the standard factory scroll engraving. The
hammer spur and the face of the trigger are knurled, and both the hammer and
trigger have a casehardened finish. It is fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips.
A similar derringer with A.M. Sterling markings is pictured and discussed on p. 270-
273 of “A Life’s Tapestry of a Collector: The Gamble Collection” by George F. Gamble
and R.L. Wilson, where the authors note that for a long time the few known
“AM. STERLING” marked Colt Second Model Derringers were believed by many,
including Wilson, to have been made with solid sterling silver frames and barrels.
For example, see p. 41 of “The Deringer in America Volume Two: The Cartridge
Era” by L.D. Eberhart and R.L. Wilson and the derringer p. 263 of “The Book of Colt
Engraving” which calls serial number 3642 (just two digits away from this example)
a “unique solid sterling silver Second Model Colt Derringer, a presentation to the
American Sterling Company. Documented by a Colt factory ledger entry.” That
pistol is noted as also being from the George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Lewis figured out that this material was not actually sterling silver, and No. 3642
was also discussed in his article “Colt ‘Deringers’” in the “American Society of Arms
Collectors Bulletin No. 53” from the fall of 1985, where it is properly identified as
“made of ‘sterling metal’ from the American Sterling Company” rather than actual
sterling silver. In a letter to Lewis from Curator Arline G. Maver of the Connecticut
State Library Museum & Colt Collection referenced by Wilson which is shown
in the article, Maver notes that the factory ledger on August 27, 1872, records:
“Presentation 1 Natnl. Der. Pistol made of Sterling Metal from Am. Sterling Co.
$4.75. To American Sterling Co., Naubuc (Conn.) Aug. 15th.” She indicated that was
the only reference to American Sterling located in the ledgers.
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