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 17 The Starr Rises

From the catalog of Wallis and Wallis, British gun auctioneers ( 1962 ) at Lewes in Sussex, we read of the sale of a Starr revolver: Lot 1060 ... A 6 shot .44 Starr SA Army Perc Rev 14", brl 8", No. 51594, the top strap bearing old engraving Col. Colt Address New York, Good Condition but action As Found & frame screw not orig . Eben T. Starr of Yonkers, New York, might not have smiled at this latter day whimsey. Marking his re volver with the name of the man he dared challenge by launching a new revolving pistol business in 1858 was to him not funny. Though the modern gun bug who fraudulently marked this in the hope someone would bite on it as a hitherto unknown Colt double action revolver we trust was unsuccessful in his piracy, per haps the buyer at the Wallis and Wallis auction cherishes his purchase for what it is: one of the best and most modem revolvers of the Civil War era. Though complex inside at first glance, its parts are well thought out and reveal Star...

CHAPTER 6 Rifle Muskets: Civil War Scandals

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Civil War Guns

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