Colt Camp Perry Model 10″ .22 LR Single Shot Target Pistol, MFD 1930 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,125.00
LSB#: WY240722RK001
Make: Colt
Model: Camp Perry
Serial Number: 1484
Year of Manufacture: 1930 (https://www.colt.com/serial-lookup)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action, Single Shot, Rotating Breech, Rimfire Pistol
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “COLT’S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A. / PATENTED JULY 4, 1905. OCT. 5, 1926.”, the left is marked “CAL. 22 LONG RIFLE” and the left of the faux-cylinder portion is marked “CAMP PERRY MODEL”. The sideplate has a rampant colt. The crane, the left of the frame under the grip, and the inside of each grip panel are marked “1484”.
Barrel Length: 10”
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. The rear sight’s set-screw is missing.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with silver-colored Colt medallions. The grips show handling wear with some scattered light marks. There is a concentration of more notable marks on the bottom of each panel, most notable on the left panel. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There are infrequent spots of minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered light wear and minor surface oxidation. There are some light nicks and scratches. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some minor surface erosion on the left-rear of the topstrap and on the faux-cylinder portion of the barrel assembly below. The action shows operational wear including a distinct drag-line to the right of the chamber mouth from the firing pin (see Mechanics). The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The hammer does not rebound. The hammer must be retracted slightly when opening or closing the action to prevent the firing pin from dragging on the breech-face. Otherwise, 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: None.
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 earlier 10” model produced in 1930. The pistol is in Good-Very Good condition showing signs of use over the last 94 years, but retaining a good bore and strong mechanics. It will make a neat addition to a Colt collection and should still serve as a fine quality target pistol, today. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
