Description from HiBid
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1/2" .41 Caliber Percussion Derringer, Antique. Make: Slotter & Co. for A.J. Plate of San Francisco, copied markings from Henry Deringer
Model: Philadelphia Deringer
Serial Number: None.
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1860-1863
Caliber: .41
Action Type: Single Shot Percussion Pistol
Barrel Length: 2 1/2"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small brass blade fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the barrel tang.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece checkered walnut with german-silver fixtures including nosecap, grip cap, thumbplate, finialed guard and wedge escutcheons, and left sideplate. The grip has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack forward of the lock screw. There are tiny losses around the edges of the lock. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Faux-Damascus & Case Hardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with scattered erosion. The seven fouling grooves are well defined. Overall, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 15% of its metal finish. The barrel has some faux-damascus patterning still showing. Other surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina. The flash-hole goes through into the bore, but is notably small and off-center in the nipple. There is infrequent minor erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Fair-Good condition as Antique (see Mechanics).
Mechanics: The hammer does not catch the sear in any position. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Henry Deringer has a somewhat unique place in firearms history. While many guns have been copied, not many names have come to represent a whole genre of firearms, with derringer now referring to nearly any small, short-barreled percussion or cartridge pistol. When he began producing pocket-size flintlock and, very soon, percussion pistols, Henry found an untapped market for his "Philadelphia Deringer". Deringer's own production was fairly limited, relative to the demand, though he also felt no need to patent his guns. They were simply using a normal percussion lock, with their size being their distinguishing quality. Soon, there were dozens of imitators. Some used their own brand name, some came up with creative misspellings of Deringer's name, and some even brazenly placed his name on their own products. These last stood a good chance of being sued by Mr. Deringer, with one case making it all the way to the Supreme Court. The pistols proved quite popular for personal defense, but also gained some notoriety after the use of one by John Booth in his assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
This example is one of the more famous copies, the one that made it to the Supreme Court. Founded by former Henry Deringer employees including Henry Schlotterbeck and his brother Frederick, the firm Slotter & Co. was formed with the express purpose of producing copies of Henry's Philadelphia Deringer. They went so far as to partner with A.J. Plate, an authorized San Francisco sales agent for Deringer, to market their guns. The firm not only copied the design and aesthetic, but actually reproduced Henry Deringer's markings. While there was no trademark, the court found that they were impersonating Henry Deringer, granting him an award significantly less than he asked. This derringer will certainly interest collectors as perhaps the most famous of the contemporary copies. Please see our photos and good luck!
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