One sees advertisements giving illustrations of vest pocket automatic pistols of minute size, particular stress being laid on their small size.
This is not the most important feature to be desired in pocket pistols.
A smoker does not complain of the size of his cigarette case, therefore a pocket pistol need not be smaller than a cigarette case.
Even these smallest automatic pistols are thicker than a cigarette case and it is thickness which bulges out pockets, not superficial size.
As a rule, a very small automatic pistol means very small bore; small bore means inefficiency.
A pocket pistol of all pistols must have instant stopping power, as the shooting is done at a few feet or even inches off.
A pistol which does not instantly render the assailant harmless is worse than useless. It makes the assailant angry and desperate; he also knows that now if he kills his man he can claim self-defence, having been shot at first.
Very few wish to kill their man. He can be held off with a pistol which commands respect, but a little toy is only laughed at.
PLATE 11. COLT DERRINGER
.41 calibre, rim fire