OE - GOOD - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

Colt employee I.C. Brezina was charged with modifying Colt's 3rd Model Derringer to create a pistol to compete with the Stevens type pocket rifles which were very popular at the time. Only a handful of these early prototypes are known according to p. 288 of "The Book of Colt Firearms" by Wilson. This example is chambered in .22 RF and the only markings are the serial number on the left of the grip frame. The extra length was attached 2 3/8" from the breech. It very well may be the longest barreled example known within the hand full of previously discovered prototype derringers in this rare group. It displays characteristics of these prototypes such being left in the white and file marks present, yet the workmanship on the stretched barrel (including the half-moon front sight) follows Colt's excellent factory standards. A very rare and most likely unique Colt experimental prototype! The consignor notes that this example was found in Connecticut, not far from the Colt factory. Provenance: The Gary Burghoff Collection