Colt Camp Perry Model 8″ .22 LR Single Shot Target Pistol & Letter, C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,526
LSB#: 231115MG022
Make: Colt
Model: Camp Perry
Serial Number: 2104
Year of Manufacture: 1933 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup), shipped July 20, 1934.
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action, Single Shot, Rotating Breech, Rimfire Pistol
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Patridge blade pinned to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The front sight is adjustable for elevation. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the topstrap, adjustable for windage.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The grips have minor handling wear with only a few scattered small marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. The ejector rod, rear face of the breech block and breech-block latch have light operational wear. There are a few scattered light marks. There are infrequent spots of very minor oxidation. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger pull is crisp. The barrel locks up with barely perceptible play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a Colt Archives letter which indicates that it shipped July 10, 1934 to Abercrombie & Fitch Company in New York, NY as the only gun of its type in the shipment.
Our Assessment: The Colt Camp Perry is one of the most rare Colt cartridge pistols, with only 2,488 produced in all. With the barrel fixed in the breech block, the design is inherently more accurate than contemporary revolvers or autoloaders, but still has the same form-factor as a Colt Officer’s model, though it is more slim due to the lack of a cylinder or recoil shield. Despite the quality of the design and, according to a 1929 catalog listing: “having won every official match for .22 caliber single-shot pistols in which it has been entered, including the N.R.A. .22 Cal Slow-Fire Pistol Match, the U.S.R.A. 50-yard Pistol Championship and the 50-meter-International Pistol Match”, interest in the pistol was limited, and the model was finally discontinued in 1941 after 20 years of production.
This example is an 8″ model from 1933 and is in Fine-plus condition. It retains about 96% of its metal finish with a great bore and strong mechanics. This is a great example of the Colt Camp Perry, perfect for both the target shooter and the Colt collector. It is also interesting due to its Colt Archives letter which indicates that it originally shipped to none other than Abercrombie & Fitch. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
