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LOT 1295
Exceptional Matching
Pair of N. Curry & Bros. San Francisco Agent Marked
Philadelphia Derringer Percussion Pocket Pistols
-A) Philadelphia Derringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 1/8 inch flat top round bbl., brown/
casehardened/German silver finish, walnut stock. Henry Deringer’s famous pocket pistols were popular
in the West from the gold rush through the American Civil War for personal protection. Charles Curry (1822-1863) was the sole West Coast agent for Henry Deringer’s pistols starting in 1858. After
his death, his brothers Nathaniel (1823-1892) and John (1825-1913) inherited the business and continued to operate as wholesalers and sales agents for Henry
Deringer’s popular pocket pistols and rifles. They also sold
the forgeries made by Slotter & Co. and remained active gun
dealers through the “Silver Age” as agents for Sharps and selling
Winchesters, Colts, and other classic firearms. They sold the
firm in 1886 to Charles Ladd. The barrels of these pistols have
seven-groove rifling and a faux Damascus finish and are marked
“N. CURRY & BRO./SAN FRANCO CALA/AGENTS,” and a “P” and
“DERINGER/PHILADELA” are on each of the German silver banded
breech plugs. The locks are also marked “DERINGER/PHILADELA.” The
pistols feature primarily scroll engraving, and the birdshead grips
are checkered.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 90% plus original brown finish on the barrel along with gray “Damascus” patterns,
smooth smoky gray casehardened finish on the breech plug and lock and some brighter case colors on the hammer, light aged patina on the German silver furniture, and crisp markings and engraving. The stock is fine and has crisp checkering, a faint hairline crack on the left side at the top of the wrist, and some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
B) Philadelphia Derringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 1/8 inch flat top round bbl., brown/casehardened/German silver finish, walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 90% plus original brown finish on the barrel along with gray “Damascus” patterns, smooth smoky gray casehardened finish on the breech plug and lock and some brighter case colors on the hammer, light aged patina on the German silver furniture, and crisp markings and engraving. The stock
is also very fine and has crisp checkering and some
slight handling and storage marks.
Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The McCrary
Collection; The Greg Lampe
Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
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