Clerke First

Clerke Technicorp · Pistol · Discontinued

Also known as: Clerke 1st, Clerke Technicorp First

Overview

The Clerke First (often styled 'Clerke 1st') is an inexpensive American-made double/single-action revolver produced by Clerke Technicorp of Santa Monica, California. Built on a cast pot-metal frame with a steel barrel, it was offered as a six-shot in .22 Long Rifle (and a related .32 S&W chambering), typically with a 2-inch barrel, blade front sight, hand-ejector pull-pin swing-out cylinder, a blinding chrome finish, and black plastic grips. It is a classic post-1968 'Saturday night special'.

Specifications

Barrel Length	51 mm (2.01")
Action Type	Double Action
Firing Mechanism	Double Action Single Action
Trigger Type	Double Action
Magazine Capacity	6 rounds
Magazine Type	Rotary
Effective Range	10 m (11 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Zinc
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Polymer
Finish	Chrome

Calibers

.22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 5.6x15mmR

Features

Firing modes: Repeating
Feed systems: Revolver Cylinder
Features: Fixed Sights, Blade Front Sight, Pull Pin Swing Out Cylinder, Hand Ejector

Production

Production years: 1970s

Produced after the Gun Control Act of 1968 to fill the budget-handgun gap left when imports of cheap pocket guns were restricted

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: Bill Clerke

Notes

Frame is cast pot metal; on some examples the cylinder is retained by a rivet. A closely related model was sold as the Clerke 'Terrier One'.

Background

The Clerke First was one of the first true 'Saturday night specials' - a wave of cheap domestic handguns that sprang up after the 1968 Gun Control Act blocked imports of inexpensive foreign pocket guns on 'sporting purposes' grounds, with capitalism rushing to fill the void.