Differences in Derringers

When the Deringer moved south and west, an even wider latitude of minor style points appeared which tend to localize the maker or area of manufacture of some of these important little pistols. Alabama collector Jay P. Altmayer, who manages to sandwich an amazing amount of scholarship into an active life not connected with the gun field, other than as a hobby, has noticed enough differences in Southern derringers to comment on this.
“Although more derringers were sold in the Far West, than there were sold along the Mississippi,” Altmayer notes, “out of the Mississippi gun trade grew a chain of rare makers. The collector will emphasize the minor variations of stock shape and lock shape that developed from St. Louis all the way to Houston.
“There are Houston derringers, one known by Mendenhall of North Carolina, and a rare pair of Louisiana derringers. Bitterlich of Nashville contributed to this Southern derringer evolution. Such arms have different decoration and design than the Philadelphia derringers, and possibly are improvements.

“The stock seems to be a little stronger and while Deringer contractor for U.S. for years, made this wellmachined Ml843 “boxlock” Navy pistol with inside hammer on interchangeable parts plan. Belt pistol was first percussion arm issued to U.S. forces, actually made and in service before the brass-trimmed Ml842 Cavalry pistol. Specimen shown is dated USN 1847, and marked on lock DERINGER/PHILADEL’A. Finish was blue barrel with casehardened lock and brass guard and band.
their ornamentation may not be quite as fine, it would be analogous to comparing a Hawken rifle to a Try on rifle made at the same time. The Tryon would be much the jazzier looking, and the Hawken would be the sturdier and more functional.”

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CHAPTER 6 Rifle Muskets: Civil War Scandals

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The Gatling Gun

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CHAPTER 7 Injustice to Justice

In justice to Justice, it must be said that a recent examination of one of the muskets, for the supplying of which to the Union he was so villified, proves to be a reasonably well-assembled hodgepodge of surplus parts and at least as strong and reliable as the American parts from which it was built. But when Philip S. Justice, gunmaker-importer of Philadelphia, tried to get aboard the Federal musket contract gravy train, he both got more than he bar gained for—and Holt and Owen conversely gave him less.

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