Included with this Colt No. 1 Derringer is an affidavit/notarized statement signed by "Bob A. Dalton" that states: "This Derringer was carried by Gratton Dalton and his uncle before him, who was a Younger brother. Grat was playing poker with friends and family members in the small town of Santa Rita, New Mexico, 1891. The town no longer exists, having been mined completely out by the Chino Copper Pit. Grat lost the Derringer on a bad draw of cards to a future family member, but fully intended to get it back at a later date. However that didn't happen because he, Bob and Emmett along with others in their effort to rob two Banks at the same time got shot to pieces in Coffeyville, Kansas in 1892. . .PREVIOUS OWNERSHIP: William Dalton, Son born out of wedlock, Fathered by William (Bill) Dalton, Brother of Gratton and Robert (Bob) Dalton. All of these Brothers, while on the run and hiding from Heck Thomas and other territorial Lawmen, stayed in Santa Rita, New Mexico in late 1890 and early 1891. The Derringer passed from William Dalton, the second, into the hands of Alfonso S. Dalton Sr. who was born July 25, 1925. I took possession of the gun in 1949, getting it from Alfonso." The Dalton brothers were related to the Younger family of James-Younger Gang infamy through their mother Adeline Lee Younger. The famous brothers, Gratton "Grat", Robert "Bob", and Emmett, were just three of ten brothers and four sisters. William "Bill" Dalton's involvement with his brothers and his life story is vague at best and often contradictory. For example, his name may have actually been "Mason Frakes Dalton" per his brother Littleton and Missouri census records. It is not clear that he had any involvement in criminal activity, but he earned a reputation that ultimately led to his death through sensational journalism. He tried to open a saloon with Jesse James' brother Frank in an effort to cash in on both families' reputations but was turned down by James. Bill was killed on June 8, 1894, when a posse sought him out in connection with crimes he likely had no involvement with. Many newspapers linked him to some of his brothers' crimes and to others after the Coffeyville Raid but no solid evidence has been presented. The only officially recorded son of any of the ten Dalton brothers is Charles Coleman Dalton, Bill's son with his wife Jane; the couple also had a daughter, Gracie.

Fair. The revolver has an untouched original dark mixture of brown and gray patina. (There is light surface pitting underneath.) The barrel retainer screw head is broken off (letter states from children playing with the gun). The designs on the right are mostly crisp, and the left side scrollwork has faded. The letter states the latter is ". . .due to the Derringer having been carried, for right hand draw, against the bare skin of Dalton's and Younger's belly inside their shirt . . ." The action does function although the barrel is loose. A truly unique Colt Derringer!