This old derringer....

[CSACANNONEER]

If it's an original, it's in great shape and the book is an awesome piece of it's history and should stay with it. If it is original, being that it was stored like that, it is probably loaded and 100% capable of firing. Please, verify that the ramrod goes all the way to the bottom of the breach. If it does, put it on half cock, make sure there is no pecussion cap on it and try to blow down the muzzle. As long as air comes out of the nipple, it is unloaded and would probably work if you ever decide to try it. If it is original, it is probably worth somewhere between $500 and $2000 depending on condition and maker's marks. If it is a replica, it's worth $20-$150 depending on condition, who's selling it and what type of venue it is being sold at.

[Unicorn food]

Csa you are awesome! It's not for sale yet. It was in that book found in my grandfathers office in 1981 clearing out some shelf space. It could vary well be loaded I'll have to check tonight when I get home.... The book has a velvet pocket inside of it. It's pretty amazing!!! I'll take more pics later
If I'm selling it I'll just do a c&r privet sale

[dangerranger]

The value of even the replicas has gone up since the last time I checked. There are a couple for sale on Gunbroker in the $150 range. Id expect originals to be three times that. DR

[CSACANNONEER]

Csa you are awesome! It's not for sale yet. It was in that book found in my grandfathers office in 1981 clearing out some shelf space. It could vary well be loaded I'll have to check tonight when I get home.... The book has a velvet pocket inside of it. It's pretty amazing!!! I'll take more pics later
If I'm selling it I'll just do a c&r privet sale

Bring it down this way and we'll check it out and then shoot it. Or, if you're going to SHOT in a couple weeks, let me know. I can bring some powder, caps, patches and a variety of roundballs in different sizes.

You might want to look closely at the book too. If the book is really an original first edition, I sort of doubt that it would say so on the cover. But, then again, I'm not a book expert. However, you might find some dates in or on the book which shows that it was made to be used just as it is being used and was sold with a reproduction gun as a novelty. Even if that's the case, it's cool and should bring a premium over just any old derringer reproduction.

[Asphodel]

I is unlikely to be a 'period' (meaning 1830's-50's, or thereabouts. copy of the famous 'Deringer' pocket pistol. The more common spelling 'Derringer' with two 'r''s was used by many makers who copied his product, and became the common spelling for that class of pistol, generally.

Your has the look......as far as I can tell from those photos......of one of the 1950's or 60's copies by Dixie Gun Works, probably 44 cal.

Some sharp, close up photos of the lockwork would help. The stock shaping appears consistent with the Dixie replicas, as well.

As other have said, it is quite likely to be loaded. If its loaded, it would probably be loaded with a single round ball, and likely with a cloth patch around the ball. (and it is an excellent close-range self-defence weapon, actually..........one assailant worth.)

After removing the percussion cap, if present, from the nipple, the correct way to unload it would be to use a 'worm'......picture a device like a large wood screw on the tip of a ramrod, which would dig in to the lead ball, to enable it to be pulled out.

(If it was me, and I thought it was loaded, I'd simply try firing it.....black powder stays 'good' for many years in a barrel. I'd 'play safe' by firing it into the dirt outside, or into a 5gal bucket of water, holding a piece of plywood or heavy carpet over the pistol to protect my eyes lest it disintegrate in firing............which would be extremely unlikely, but one mustn't take chances, however remote the chance.

Thats what I would do..............but its obvious that I daren't recommend that you, or anyone else, do that........its the old 'don't try this at home, kids' tradition.)

cheers

Carla

[CSACANNONEER]

Like Carla said, if it is loaded, chances are the powder is still good. However, only fire it where it is legal to discharge a firearm! If you have any doubts about it's safely firing, use a vise and a string.

[w55]

Csa you are awesome! It's not for sale yet. It was in that book found in my grandfathers office in 1981 clearing out some shelf space. It could vary well be loaded I'll have to check tonight when I get home.... The book has a velvet pocket inside of it. It's pretty amazing!!! I'll take more pics later
If I'm selling it I'll just do a c&r privet sale

I will take the c&r privet for my front yard Need more bushes

Thats a neat find!

[Turo]

Sweet find! My dad's got a .50 caliber kit gun that he built 20 some years ago and it's a cool piece.

Tagged to see the final decision on what this one is.

[TheExpertish]

Cool gun.

[big103]

Found this on u tube, don`t know if it will help looks allot like your. I think there might be proof marks if it`s real underneath the barrel.

[bruceflinch]

^Ya'll have a blast! Looks just like Andy's.

I went to Dixies Gun Works. They have a couple kits from $85-145. I think that would be fun to make one. Good project for next Winter. Too busy right now.

[Unicorn food]

^Ya'll have a blast! Looks just like Andy's.

I went to Dixies Gun Works. They have a couple kits from $85-145. I think that would be fun to make one. Good project for next Winter. Too busy right now.

If u do let me know!! We could have a build party

[Datamancer]

I can't say much about the gun, but the book actually looks to be 'fake'. By that, I mean someone just took any old book and hand-drew a cover as a joke.
"Mississippi River Law" containing a gun, get it?
If you look at the lettering, it's not stamped or pressed into the leather, just drawn on, plus the spacing and letter shapes are inconsistent...definitely drawn by hand.

-~D~-

[Mr. Beretta]

My wife gave a me this "kit" about 30 plus years ago. She paid $19 IIRC. I put it together and it's been sitting my shelf ever since. It has "Dikar Spain.45Cal Black Power Only" with a serial number on the left side of the barrel.

[Tallship]

It's a replica. The original Deringers had only one R. Yours has two. But still a nice find.