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Colt 21derringer????????????

matwor
Anybody know the approximate value of a Colt 21?

It has what is left of a nickel finish, rounded birdshead grip, not sure of the caliber, (not stamped on it anywhere) it probably is somewhere around 40-45, it twists open to chamber a round. The SN# is 5082. It is a family owned gun, just curious as to the possible value.

Thanks in advance for any info.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Edmund Burke
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Seems from your description, you have a "Third Model Deringer" ( THUER ). It was chambered for the .41 rimfire cartridge.

    Colt made about 48,00 over a 40 year period, up to 1912.

    Appears you have a "early" Standard Model. Without photos its hard to give a accurate assessment, but Flayderman values them in the range $225 - $500.

    Just re read your post! The above might be wrong? Does the barrel pivot down and to the left for loading the cartridge? OR pivot horizontally to the right to load?

    The very earliest Colt deringers were mechanically different then the Thuer, and worth more!
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  • matwor
    Yes the bbl pivots down and to the left. It is definitely a Colt, not a Thuer. ??Maybe a Thuer is a Colt?? Can you tell yr of manufacture by the SN#5082? And they made these over the span of what particular yrs?

    A coupla more things I thought of to describe it, on top of the bbl at the very back is the number 21 stamped in. On the left side of the pistol there is a thin piece of metal sticking out perpendicular to the frame. It is somewhat crescent shaped, it seems to be a way the pistol extacts a shell when the bbl is pivoted down and to the left. Almost like this thin metal catches the backside of the rim of the shell and pushes it back as the bbl pivots down. This piece of metal does not move in any way.

    To open the breech, you must half-cock the two position hammer and then push back on a button on the right-hand side of the pistol and then it (the bbl) freely pivots down.

    I do believe that it defintely could be a .41.

    "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

    Edmund Burke
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  • rufe-snow
    Here are pictures of (2) Colt Deringers. The first one is the "Colt Second Model Deringer". The second picture is the "Colt Third Model Deringer" also known as the "Thuer".

    Once we can definitely identify which Deringer you have, your other questions regarding its age and value, can be more readily addressed.


    Colt~Deringer~2.jpg




    Colt~Deringer~3.jpg
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  • matwor
    Sorry to not get back to you on this, you know the holidays and all.

    Thanks for the pics, it is defintely to top one.

    "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

    Edmund Burke
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  • rufe-snow
    Per Flayderman's, 8th. Your pistol seems to be the standard version of the "Colt Second Model Deringer" (all have wooden grips).

    9,000 of the Second Model Deringers were produced in the 1870's & 80's.

    Depending on condition, there valued between $400 & $1,400.

    luger_4.jpg
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