Colt House Pistol

Colt · Revolver · Out Of Production · 1871

Also known as: Colt House Model Revolver, Colt Cloverleaf

Overview

The Colt House Pistol, popularly called the 'Cloverleaf', was a small Colt pocket revolver and the company's first solid-frame design built from the ground up for metallic rimfire cartridges. Produced from 1871, it chambered the .41 Short rimfire and was offered with a four-shot deeply fluted 'cloverleaf' cylinder or a five-shot round cylinder, with recessed chambers as a safety feature.

Specifications

Overall Length	171 mm (6.73")
Barrel Length	76 mm (2.99")
Action Type	Single Action
Firing Mechanism	Single Action
Trigger Type	Single Action
Magazine Capacity	4 rounds
Magazine Type	Cylinder
Muzzle Velocity	130 m/s (427 fps)
Effective Range	10 m (11 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Brass
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Nickel Plated

Calibers

.41 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .41 RF, .41 Short

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
Safety mechanisms: Recessed Chambers
Features: Solid Frame, Cloverleaf Cylinder, Spur Trigger, Birds Head Grip

Service history

Operators

Civilian

Production

Estimated total produced: 10,000 · Production years: 1871-1876

Approximately 10,000 produced; figures vary by source and cylinder variant

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Discontinued: 1876

Notes

The 'Cloverleaf' name comes from the four-leaf-clover appearance of the four-shot fluted cylinder. A five-shot round-cylinder variant was also made. Barrels were offered in 1.5-inch and 3-inch lengths. Also nicknamed the 'Jim Fisk Model' after financier Jim Fisk was killed with one in 1872.

Background

As Colt's earliest solid-frame revolver and first purpose-built for metallic rimfire cartridges, the House Pistol introduced recessed chambers as an advanced rimfire safety feature that Colt would not reuse for many years.