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LOT 3170
Fine and Desirable Engraved Henry Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 1/2 inch irregular bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. This classic example of a Henry Deringer pocket sized pistol and features the seven- groove rifling, the brown and copper vein “false Damascus” finish on the barrel, separate breech with silver bands and “DERINGER/PHILADELA” markings, and the “DERINGER/PHILADELA” marking on the lock. The lock, upper tang, and German silver furniture have primarily scroll and floral pattern engraving. The bird’s head stock has checkering on the wrist. CONDITION: Fine, retains 90% plus of the original brown finish with strong “Damascus” patterns, strong patterns of the original muted case colors in sheltered areas, and mostly bright German silver. The revarnished stock is also fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3171
Engraved J.E. Evans Philadelphia Derringer .36 Caliber Percussion Pistol - NSN, 36 cal., 2 inch irregular bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. First appearing in the directory in 1850, James E. Evans remained in the gun business until 1872, and was also listed as a “tackle” dealer in 1865. German silver blade front and notch rear sights, with scroll engraving present on the tang and plug, and “J. E. EVANS PHILADA” on top of the barrel, which has an attractive “false Damascus” finish, emulating the signature Deringer pattern. Matching scrollwork is present on the side of the hammer, lock, accent plate, reverse plate, and trigger guard, zig-zag border engraving on the buttplate, straight borders on the initial shield, and an ornately decorated finial, which also serves as the escutcheon for the barrel retainer screw on the underside. Fancy varnished walnut grip, with Schnabel tip forend and a bird’s head butt. CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% plus of the original brown finish with attractive “Damascus” patterns, traces of the original case color patterns, and mostly bright German silver with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina. The wood is very good with some scattered light handling marks, some light crazing of the refinished varnish, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 LOT 3172 Fine J.E. Evans Engraved Philadelphia Derringer Percussion Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 5/8 inch irregular bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. First appearing in the directory in 1850, James E. Evans remained in the gun business until 1872, and was also listed as a “tackle” dealer in 1865. German silver blade front and notch rear sights, with scroll engraving present on the tang and plug, and “J. E. EVANS PHILADA” on top of the barrel, which has an attractive “false Damascus” finish, emulating the signature Deringer pattern. Matching scrollwork is present on the side of the hammer, lock, accent plate, reverse plate, and trigger guard, with the top of the hammer checkered and bordered, zig-zag border engraving on the buttplate, straight borders on the initial shield, and an ornately decorated finial, which also serves as the escutcheon for the barrel retainer screw on the underside. Fancy varnished walnut grip, with Schnabel tip forend and a bird’s head butt. CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original brown finish with strong “Damascus” patterns, strong traces of the vibrant case colors in sheltered areas, and mostly bright German silver. The wood is also fine with some scattered light handling marks, a small spot of old filler on the left, and retaining most of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3173
Fine Inscribed Deringer Philadelphia Marked Percussion Pocket Pistol - NSN, 38 cal., 2 inch irregular bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Henry Deringer pocket pistol is an exceptional example of the most desirable, smallest variety, often nicknamed a “peanut” Deringer. It features the seven-groove rifling, the brown and copper vein “false Damascus” finish
on the barrel, separate breech with silver bands and “DERINGER/PHILADELA” markings, and the “DERINGER/PHILADELA” marking on the lock. The lock, upper tang, and German silver furniture have primarily scroll and floral pattern engraving that is very nicely executed. The thumb escutcheon is inscribed “H.M./to/G.A.N.” The bird’s head stock has checkering on the wrist and a trapdoor in the butt. CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% of the original brown finish with strong “Damascus” patterns, strong traces of the vibrant original case colors and the balance either a mostly grey patina or bright German silver. The revarnished wood is very good with some scattered light handling marks and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3174
Pair of Engraved Andrew Wurfflein Derringer Percussion Pocket Pistols -A) A. Wurfflein Derringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 inch irregular bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Henry Deringer’s pistols were widely copied and most popular in the 1850s and 1860s. Wurfflein was located at 335 North Third Street in 1845-1850 and established his famous shop at 208 North 2nd Street in 1851. He was also one of the original founders of the Philadelphia Schuetzen Verien. The barrels have seven-groove rifling, tiny dovetailed blade front sights, “A. WURFFLEIN/ PHILA” inscribed on top, and notch rear sights on the engraved upper tangs. The locks also have scroll engraving along with the same markings as the barrels. The furniture is German silver and also features scroll and floral engraving. The stocks have checkered wrists. CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% plus of the slightly darkened period refinished case colors, 50% plus of the thinned blue finish, and mostly bright German silver. The stock is also fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. B) A. Wurfflein Derringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 inch irregular bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A.” CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% plus of the slightly darkened period refinished case colors, 50% of the blue finish on the barrel, strongest in sheltered areas, and mostly bright German silver. The stock is fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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