ID of Colt Squeeze pistol

[allmons]

A local retired LEO has a two shot .32 pistol, marked "Colt", that fires by squeezing. It does not have a normal trigger, and does not have a hammer.
Sorry, I don't have a picture.
Does anyone know what this gun might be? It appears pretty old.

 

[allmons]

No information?

Anybody? Bueller ...

 

[Jim Watson]

I have seen pictures of 19th-early 20th century squeeze pistols but never anything by Colt. Not OUR Colt Patent Firearms, Inc. Anybody can stamp Colt on a gun, especially if they are someplace that does not recognize our patents and copyrights.

 

[allmons]

Thanks!

Didn't get too long to look at it, but the "Colt" had some other lettering, I just couldn't make it out. The LEO says he carried it as a hideout in a belt case, in case he lost primary AND backup weapon.

 

[Gordon]

Is this a Circular pistol with a squeeze lever on one side and a barrel in the center that goes between the fingers? These are Chicago Palm pistols. There are a couple other type of 'squeeze pistols' but Colt never made any. A COP 4 barrel derringer .357 mag has been referred to (erroniously ) as a squeeze pistol as were High Standard derringers. A detailed physical description is needed to answer the question!

 

[allmons]

Indeed, that describes it!

Sounds very much like what I saw.

 

[Gordon]

Which?

 

[allmons]

Sorry!

Circular appearance with barrel between fingers. Never had heard of a palm gun before.

 

[Gordon]

OK! Chicago Palm pistols were mostly nickle plated and in a bunch of weird now obsolete rimfire cartridges from .28to .38. The later ones (late 1880s to 1890s) had some few that took .32 S&W and some VERY few .38 S&W. I had one in my collection many years ago, it sold for quite a sum back then! These things apparently were farely reliable, although un able to have sighted fire. There WAS a belt pouch available. That LEO musta been a real old codger to relate these to you! I am sure he used it as a bug well before WW2 and even then it was an antique. Cheers.

Here's a hyper link showing one.

http://www.aaawt.com/html/firearms/f154.html

 

[Jim K]

The Chicago Palm Squeezer dates from the 1890's. It was never made in either .32 S&W or .38 S&W; both cartridges are much too long to fit into the gun. AFIAK, those guns were made only in .32, and the round was an extra-short rimfire. The design originated in France. Flayderman estimates production at some 12,800. Cartridges of the World gives the cartridge case length as .398" and the overall length as .645".

There was a similar gun from the same period made by the Minneapolis Firearms Co. It was even smaller than the Chicago gun and was also .32, but centerfire. The round was called the ".32 Protector." COTW gives the case length as .350" and OAL as .555". The even shorter length was necessary since the pistol was smaller. White & Munhall state that the .32 Protector was identical to the 8mm Gaulois.

I can't find any data on velocity, energy, etc., but I can't imagine using either for defense, even if one could find the cartridges, which have probably not been made for a century or so. A .25 Automatic would be a far better choice.

Jim

 

[Gordon]

I haven't checked references, BUT I stand corrected! I knew they were wierd rimfire cartridges, mine was. I never fired mine (no cartridges) . I saw centerfire ones which I was told was .32S&W short, which I presumed was .32S&W and not the Long. I was told by a collector ho had many example that they made a few .38s, never saw one though. That hyper link mentions the later models being larger. I too don't think it was a practical BUG for an LEO, although he coulda had one and a few rounds a long time ago!