SCARCE - 1864 Henry Deringer "Original Deringer", .40 Cal. Percussion Single Shot Pistol

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  Lot #133 
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This pistol is what collectors refer to as an Original Philadelphia Deringer .40 caliber percussion single shot pistol. It was made by Henry Deringer (one r in his actual last name) of Philadelphia in circa 1864. Henry Deringer was the original maker of what we now loosely call a Derringer pistol. There were several retailers who had special contracts with Henry Deringer when he was producing these pistols in the mid-1800s, and he would commonly mark those pistols with the retailer's name. In San Francisco, The Curry Brothers had a long lasting and well-known contract with Henry. The first contract in San Francisco was with Charles Curry and then after Charles died in 1863, Charles's brother, Nathaniel Curry, took over. The "N" Curry mark on this pistol confirms that it was made between 1863 and February, 1868, when Henry Deringer himself died. Less than 20,000 pistols in a variety of configurations are estimated to have been manufactured in Henry Deringer's shop before his death, and many have since been lost or destroyed. This example is very similar to the infamous "Peanut" Deringer used by John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Coincidentally, the man who held Booth's horse for his escape was nicknamed "Peanuts." SPECS: 1.5 barrel with "7 notched" muzzle, dovetailed German silver front sight, 4.5 overall length, German silver banded breech plug marked "DERINGER/PHILADEL" on top & "P" flanked by sun burst designs on the upper left, v-notch rear sight on the integral tang, floral engraved lock marked "DERINGER/PHILADELA" near the tail, German silver trigger guard, German silver inlays with floral scroll engravings & pineapple design and walnut stock with hand cut checkering. CONDITION: This pistol is showing wear; however, the German silver accents are still very nice, the barrel rifling is deep but will have rusting and appears to be in working order. HISTORY: Henry Deringer, Jr. was born in 1786, in Pennsylvania, to his gunsmithing father, Henry Deringer, Sr. His father did business out of a shop in Pennsylvania and predominantly manufactured Kentucky rifles. In 1808, Deringer Jr. started his first apprenticeship at Virginia Manufacturing in Richmond. After he completed his time with the company, he moved to Philadelphia and began his own gun manufacturing shop. For the first almost 20 years of his business, he mainly worked on government contracted muskets and pistols as well as hunting rifles for civilians. He produced U.S. Model 1814 and 1817 flintlock muskets. It is said that Deringer manufactured 50,000 trade rifles after the War of 1812 for John Jacob Astors American Fur Company. It was not until 1825 that Deringer decided he wanted to pursue a design for a small compact practical pistol. The original Philadelphia Deringer was made in a style reminiscent of a Queen Anne's pistol. The dainty percussion pistols stock was made of walnut with most examples showing fine checkering. The butt of the stock had a distinctive curve that ended with a forend cap. The furniture on the handgun was made out of German silver with plate embellished floral designs and stamped Deringer PhiladelA. Even the hammer received the same floral engraving treatment. The barrel was made of iron, featured a simulated Damascus finish, and was rifled. The barrel's length varied from 1 1/8 inches to 3 inches with the calibers ranging from .30 to .44 depending on the style of Deringer. The most distinct characteristic of a true Deringer is the 7 notches at the inside front of the barrel. SHIPPING - We offer free shipping anywhere within the continental US. All firearms must be sent to an FFL (or C&R if applicable) regardless of age or caliber. This includes antiques & muzzleloaders. PLEASE READ ALL TERMS BEFORE PARTICIPATING: There is no live crowd, no phone bidding, no left bids and we do not accept payment through the mail.

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This item is part of Firearms & Early Military Assets
 Friday, May 2, 2025 | 10:48 AM  Central
 
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SCARCE - 1864 Henry Deringer "Original Deringer", .40 Cal. Percussion Single Shot Pistol
SCARCE - 1864 Henry Deringer "Original Deringer", .40 Cal. Percussion Single Shot Pistol
Lot number: 133
Seller: Will Sullivan Auction Co.
Event: Firearms & Early Military Assets
Ends: Saturday, June 14 | 11:06 AM  Central

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