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LOT 3181
Exceptional and Desirable N. Curry & Bro San Francisco Agent Marked 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 with the desirable N. Curry & Bro, San Francisco agent markings on the barrel 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 80% plus of the original brown finish with strong “Damascus” patterns, strong patterns of the slightly darkened original case colors, and mostly bright German silver. The stock is also fine with a hairline crack in the forend, a few scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3182
Desirable Engraved Henry Deringer Medium Size Percussion Pocket Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 4 inch irregular bbl., brown/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a
classic example of a medium size Henry Deringer pocket pistol fitted with a short under rib on the barrel and a ramrod. 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 ramrod has a lightly engraved brass tip. The lock, upper tang, and German silver furniture have primarily scroll and floral pattern engraving that is very nicely executed. The bird’s head stock has checkering on the wrist. CONDITION: Very good plus, the barrel showing a mixture of original brown finish and a plum-brown patina with defined “Damascus” patterns, mostly a smooth grey patina on the lock and breech, and the German silver mostly bright with crisp engraving overall. The wood is fine with some scattered light handling marks and flaking of the varnish, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 LOT 3183 Desirable Slotter & Co. J. Deringer Marked ‘Peanut’ Percussion Derringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 41 cal., 2 1/4 inch irregular bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Slotter & Co. of Philadelphia was formed by five of Henry Deringer’s former employees in 1859. They copied his pistol designs and were among the most prolific makers of pistols of this type, even bringing a tailor named John Deringer into the firm merely for the use of his name for markings. Aside from their popularity during the mid-19th century, these firearms have also become particularly famous thanks to the use of a Deringer in the assassination of President Lincoln. The rifled barrel has a brass blade front sight, “STEEL/WART” on the upper right, false patent breech, and a notch rear sight on the upper tang. The lock and breech are both marked “J.DERINGER/PHILADELA”. The furniture is German silver and has scroll engraving similar to the lock and tang. There is a “5” marked on the trigger guard tang. CONDITION: Very good, showing traces of the original brown finish mixed with grey patina on the barrel with some very light surface pitting, a mostly dark grey patina on the lock and breech, and mostly bright German silver with crisp engraving overall. The German silver buttplate is slightly proud. The wood is also very good with a few scattered hairline cracks, some scattered light handling marks and wear, and mostly well defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 3184
Unique Inscribed J.E. Evans 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 which is inscribed “E.M. to B.C. June 1st 1856 BALTAMORE”[sic], and an ornately decorated finial. Fancy varnished walnut grip, with Schnabel tip forend and a bird’s head butt. CONDITION: Very good, the iron showing mostly a smooth grey patina with traces of the “Damascus” patterns on the barrel and the German silver mostly bright. The wood is very fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3185
Exceptionally Fine Engraved and Inscribed Pair of Henry Deringer Percussion Pocket Pistols -A) Henry Deringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 3 inch irregular bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an attractive and desirable pair of Henry Deringer pocket pistols manufactured in the mid- 1800s. These pistols were often imitated during the period due to their wide popularity, and remain popular today in-part due to their association with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The barrels on these two examples show a solid brown finish unlike the imitation “false Damascus” often exhibited on Deringer’s pistols, and are each fitted with a German silver blade front sight that is lightly
engraved. The breeches on each are marked “DERINGER/ PHILADELA”, have the “starburst P” marking on the upper left, and two silver bands. The upper tangs have scroll engraving and are fitted with notch rear sights. The locks have the “DERINGER/PHILADELA” marking repeated along with scroll engraving. The furniture is German silver and shows matching scroll engraving with a pineapple finial on the trigger guard and acorn finials on the wedge escutcheons. The thumb escutcheons on both are engraved with the initials “H.K.”. CONDITION: Fine, the barrel retaining 85% plus of the period refinished brown finish that shows a slight plum hue, the remainder of the iron mostly a smooth bright grey patina, and mostly bright German silver. The revarnished wood is very good with a hairline crack left of the breech, a couple minor dents in the same area, some scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. B) Henry Deringer Pocket Pistol - NSN, 45 cal., 3 inch irregular bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A”. CONDITION: Fine, retains 90% plus of the period refinished brown finish on the barrel, showing a slight plum hue, with the remainder of the iron mostly a bright grey patina and the German silver mostly bright. The revarnished wood is very good with a few hairline cracks, some scattered light handling marks, and mostly crisp checkering. The barrel and breech are slightly out of time, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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