Colt's No. 1 Derringer was manufactured from 1870 to 1890 after the purchase of the National Arms Company which had previously manufactured this model. It was first manufactured by Moore's Patent Firearms Co. in the first half of the 1860s. These along with the similar No. 2 derringers were the first single shot pistols manufactured by Colt. This pistol appears to have gone to London and then on to Madras, India. The bottom of the barrel has London proofs, and the period case has a P. Orr & Sons trade label with a "MADRAS" address. It also contains a cartridge block with fifteen cartridges and a cleaning rod/screwdriver. The front sight is a nickel round blade, and the barrel is marked "+COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. Co./HARTFORD CT. U.S.A. No 1 +." The hammer has a groove which serves as a rear sight, and the frame has flourishes of scrollwork on the sides and knurled panels on the grip.

Exceptionally fine with 85% plus original high polish blue and 95% original silver finish, patches of flaking exhibiting either gray or brown patina on the exposed metal, some minor pitting on the left side of the frame, and mild overall wear. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good and has mild storage wear and some repaired cracks in the lid.