Henry Deringer started in the gun business in Philadelphia around 1809, making and dealing in a variety of arms, including muskets and rifles, which he sold along with “military goods.” The small percussion pocket pistols known by his name evolved from his larger pistols of the 1830s and 1840s, and became popular starting about 1852 as a short-range arm a gentleman might carry inconspicuously. They were popular in south and west where law might be uncertain, but as their production in Philadelphia shows, they might also be useful in close confines of a city street or alley. Imitators naturally sprang up almost immediately, many, as in this case, copying Deringer’s maker’s mark, and spelling his name indiscriminately with one “r” or two.

This one is small, close to but not quite the “peanut” size as dubbed by collectors. The grip is finely checkered, the backaction lock plate is nicely engraved with floral scrolls, as is the German silver sideplate and escutcheon plates for the barrel wedge and small plate forward of the lock plate and under the bolster. The triggerguard is German silver as well, as is the small shield escutcheon plate at top of the grip. The hammer, breachplug tang and bolster are engraved “en suite” with floral scrolls. The hammer screw is plain, but the breechplug tang screw is engraved also. The octagonal breech has two silver bands and is stamped “Deringer / Philadel.” which matches the lock plate stamping, but both are clearly period additions made by a retailer to better the chance of a sale, even though the gun itself is quite nice. The wood is very good, with very minor handling marks and sharp checkering. The metal is smooth, with good color. The breech preserves nice, thin blue. The barrel has good coverage as well, but has oxidized more toward plum. The breech has a V-notch sight and there is a pretty German silver blade front sight, which perhaps was over-promising, but unlikely to be tested, since targets were likely to be no farther away than the length of a Bowie knife, sword-cane or card table.

This is a very nice example of widely carried pistol in the early west and mid-Victorian city streets.  [sr]

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