COP Inc. Torrance SS-1 Compact Off-Duty Police C.O.P. Stainless 4-Barrel Derringer & Box 357 mag
SOLD FOR: $1,175.00
LSB#: 181101NS10
Make: COP, Inc.
Model: SS-1, Compact Off-Duty Police, COP
Serial Number: 003633
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 “3633” on the left and stamped “329” on the right, the lower right side of the barrel set in front of the hinge is marked “E”. The left side of the frame is marked “COP / COP INC, TORRANCE, CA. U.S.A.” the right is marked “006366”.
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 98% of its metal finish. There is some light scuffing on the butt at the left-rear and very light operational wear on the trigger. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The hinge pin is unmarred. The markings are clear with the exception of the caliber marking which has a few characters lightly stamped. Overall, this handgun rates in about 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 with white cardboard sleeve hand-marked with the serial number. The sleeve has scattered light wear, in about Very Good condition. The jewelry case has a few light marks on the exterior with light wear from the handgun on the interior, in about Fine 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 Excellent condition, showing only a few faint marks from normal handling and operation and comes with its original box. 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 commerically, the COP derringers are quite collectible today, especially one in such high condition with its box. Please see our pictures and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This handgun CANNOT be transferred as a dealer sale in California. This handgun CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R’s and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS’d. This does not apply to out of state residents.