COP SS1 SS-1 Compact Off-Duty Police 4-Shot Stainless .357 Magnum Derringer
SOLD FOR: $1775
LSB#: 210706ML58
Make: COP, Inc.
Model: SS-1, Compact Off-Duty Police, COP
Serial Number: 015350
Year of Manufacture: 1983-1990
Caliber: .357 Magnum & .38 Special Cartridges.
Action Type: 4-Shot, Double Action Only, Tip-Forward Barrel Derringer with Extractor.
Markings: The left side of the barrel set is marked “CAL. 38SP/357 MAG”, the underside is hand etched “356”, the lower right side of the barrel set in front of the hinge is marked “N”. The left side of the frame is marked “COP / COP INC, TORRANCE, CA. U.S.A.” the right is marked “015350” and the water table is hand etched “356”.
Barrel Length: 3 1/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade. The rear sight is a notch formed by two rounded, serrated blades which also function as the barrel latch.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece grips are checkered faux-wood panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bores.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. There is light operational wear on the trigger and on the top of the frame from the barrel latch. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scratches. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The pistol has four barrels and four firing pins which are triggered sequentially. The barrel set has an extractor star. The trigger pull is “staple-gun”-like, stacking through a long pull with a sharp break at the end. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This derringer comes in a blue COP jewelry case. The jewelry case has light storage wear and scuffs on the exterior with wear from the handgun on the interior, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: The COP .357 is quite robust in design and construction. It is made of solid stainless steel components. Cartridges are loaded into the four separate chambers by sliding a latch that “pops-up” the barrel for loading purposes, similar to top-break shotguns. Each of the four chambers has its own dedicated firing pin. It uses an internal hammer, which is activated by depressing the trigger to hit a ratcheting/rotating striker that in turn strikes one firing pin at a time. Older “pepperboxes” also used multiple barrels, but the barrels were the part that rotated. The COP .357 operates similarly to the Sharps rimfire pepperbox of the 1850s, in that it uses the ratcheting/rotating striker, which is completely internal, to fire each chamber in sequence. This COP is in Fine-Excellent condition, showing little sign of use, and comes with a COP jewelry case. The bores are bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. The design was patented in 1983 and production was moved to American Derringer in 1990, making this a rare beauty, made by its original company. While the design didn’t take off commercially, the COP derringers are quite collectible today, especially one in high condition with its box. Please see our pictures and good luck!