Deringers

All pictures are made by myself with professional photo studio light. If you are interested in a piece showing on this page please don’t hesitate to ask.

Philadelphia Deringer.

Unknown maker Philadelphia Deringer cal. 45 percussion pistol with standard 2 5/8 barrel. Engraved and German silver finished, excellent wood. All parts #8 numbered. Excellent condition scarce piece.

Developed by Henry Deringer, no patent that’s why there are so many different makers.

Rare Iron Frame Southerner Deringer

This is a lovely example of one of several .41 caliber single shot pocket pistols, usually referred to as "Derringers", after the legendary pocket pistols made in Philadelphia before the civil war. The National Arms company had made one of the early examples, which featured a rotating barrel based on an 1861 patent held by Daniel Moore. This company was later purchased by Colt, who continued production. However, they were not the only company that made pistols like this.

Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Co. of Newburyport, Mass. patented their own design for a "Derringer" in 1867 as a competitor to the National Arms pistol, and it was honestly a much better design. Instead of the rotating barrel, it instead pivoted to the side, with an ejector removing the spent cartridge. They marketed the pistol as the "SOUTHERNER", intended to appeal to customers in the South, hoping to take advantage of markets farther from the large firearms industry in New England. They manufactured about 6,500 of these pistols between 1867 and 1869, only 30% were made with iron frames in serial number range 1950 to 4500. In 1869  the company was reorganized as Brown Manufacturing Co., and they would go on to produce 10,000 more of the pistols between 1869 to 1873. Of note is that this design anticipated Colt's "Thuer" model or "New Model" Derringer, which was not released until 1875, five years after they purchased National Arms, and was based on a similar concept. 

This example is in excellent condition, showing almost no wear from service and cleaning, the metalwork still has is case colors and original blue. These pistols were made with both brass and iron frames, and this example has the more durable iron frame, which originally would have been blued or case-hardened. It really looks great, there is no sign of refinishing, just how we like to see them. The top of the barrel still bears a large “SOUTHERNER” marking on the top. The left side of the barrel still shows clear Brown Manufacturing address and patent markings:

MERRIMACK ARMS & M' F' G Co
NEWBURYPORT. MASS,
PATENTED. APRIL  9. 1867

The pistol is marked with serial number 4031 on the backstrap butt. The action opens and closes correctly when the button on the bottom of the frame is pressed, and the hammer must be in the half or full cock position for it to open. The ejector presents properly as well, though I have not tested it. The bore of the barrel is in new like condition, showing clear lands and grooves, barrel has almost all original blue left. The frame is having nearly all case colors left, the grips look to be rosewood, showing almost no wear, and have a lovely, varnished finish that is still well-retained. A lovely concealable pocket pistol from the late 19th century, ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1867 - 1869
Caliber: .41cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 4 7/8 inches
Action: Pivoting Barrel
Feed System: Single Shot