A .22-caliber rimfire 7-shot revolver offered with 2.375" or 2.875" barrel. Model was a commercial success, with over 114,000 manufactured between 1871 and 1877. Would undoubtedly been a great deal more sold had not the cheap copies begun to flood the market at that time, forcing Colt to drop this model from the line. Revolver has a silver or nickel-plated brass frame and nickel-plated or blued barrel and cylinder. Grips are varnished walnut. Cylinder bolt slots are found toward the front on this model. "Colt's Pt. F.A. Mfg. Co./Hartford, Ct. U.S.A." stamped on barrel; ".22 Cal." on left side of frame. Note: Blued models will bring a premium over nickel in same condition. 2025 Update: First Production: After Rollin White’s patent expired, Colt’s in 1871 and 1872 produced 6,000 seven-shot breechloading Open Top .22 revolvers, in four types. Type 1 (1-475): 2 7/8” barrel, high hammer, integral ejector, conical rimfire striker—Type 2 (476-1550): same, but with a flat striker on a three-piece hammer—Type 3 (1551-2650): same, but with a 2 3/8” barrel—Type 4 (2651-6000): same, but no ejector. Second Production: For reasons beyond our scope, from late 1873 to 1875, Colt’s produced 106,400 models, in two types—Type 5 (6001-33500): same as Type 3, but with a one-piece high hammer—Type 6 (33501-112400): same, but with a low hammer. In this period, the model accounted for 70% of Colt’s firearms production. –Robert Swartz