help ID black powder derringer

[nadodave]

A woman from my community sent me these pics, and was hoping for some info, or potential value for this gun. She inherited it, and knows nothing about it. It has no markings, names, numbers, etc.

She said a friend told her it's a "Lincoln Era Derringer," but I make no claim of accuracy on that statement.

[nadodave]

bigger side pic

[ojisan]

No ramrod but this one is close, top of the page:

http://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2010/12/pistols-derringers.html

But there were many copies and if there are no markings it was because the copier did not want any patent lawsuits from the original owner / company.

The lock plate may be stamped with a maker's mark on the back side.

[nadodave]

Thank you!

[Wheellock]

It looks to me like a cut down service-type pistol. The side straps on the grip cap were in style around 1800 (like the 1805 Harper's Ferry pistols). Flintlocks were obsolete by the 1840s, so it could have been around during the Lincoln administration, but wouldn't have been manufactured then.

If you can get more info, a good, close picture of the side plate would be good. Also, the caliber of the barrel. Any marks on the bullet mold, or inside the lock plate if you dare take it apart. Any marks on top of the barrel near the breach?

Value is tough, the condition is not great; the wood is broken, but the original quality looks good (the wire inlay). What area are you in?

[G-forceJunkie]

Back in those days, one person made the lock. Another made the barrels. Another assembled them. Everybody would put their name on it somewhere. Maybe its a period era copy, but if it has zero marking I would be very leary about it being a much more modern reproduction (yet could still be 100 years old)

[THBailey]

All of the original Deringer pistols were cap locks, and had the Deringer name on the side plate. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derringer ) Being a flint lock probably makes this an earlier gun, probably pre-1840, assuming it is not a reproduction. Of course, being a flinter it is an antique so exempt from the modern firearm transfer red tape. My guess would be, absent any provenance, its value would probably be in the hundreds, rather than thousands, of dollars range.

[223556]

Now that's pretty neat and in relatively great condition too.
Think I see initials of J.W.B...... (J/K)

[nadodave]

Good info, I will see if I can look at it for any identifying marks

[MajorSideburns]

It definitely looks period-authentic to me. If there are any identifying markings they would be on the lock plate or barrel. No idea what it is but it looks like it was fairly high end in its day, judging by the engraving. It looks like it was once a full size pistol which was cut down later in a custom job

[rmnc3r]

Def not a Henry Deringer product....
Looks like a mid-late 18th Century French-influenced Pocket Pistol

https://www.google.com/search?q=french+flintlock+pocket+pistol&rlz=1C1CHBD_enUS757US757&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj415brhbj0AhU4m2oFHVFPCr0Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1366&bih=635&dpr=1

Kook (keeper of odd knowledge) tidbit - Knock-offs capitalized on H. Deringer's name and design but were commonly called or referred to as 'Derringer' pistols (extra 'r') to avoid legal entanglements

[Darto]

A true Deringer made pistol usually has his marking on the sideplate like this:







The butt of the gun in question seems to have a design liker a cheaper version of this royal class French pistol of early 1800's.






I thinks the pistol is early 1800's European pistol, probably French. The bullet mold looks early 1800's. Also, it's probably a shooter too if the locks seems to work, which is likely it does.

https://www.icollector.com/French-mid-18th-century-royal-quality-flintlock-pocket-pistol-with-sterling-silver-mounts-marked_i9858689