These single-shot .41 caliber deringers trademarked “Southerner” on top of the barrel were manufactured by the Merrimack Arms Company of Newburyport, Mass., from 1866 to 1869 and by the Brown Manufacturing Company of the same town from 1869 to 1873. Using “southerner” was likely a good marketing ploy to overcome hard-feelings after the Civil War and likely indicates their target customers. The two manufacturers used independent serial numbers. This one is crisply marked on the side of the barrel by the Brown Manufacturing Company with their 1869 patent date, is one of their iron-frame versions (about 30 percent of their production) and is number 796 on the butt strap, putting it fairly early in their production run, which is estimated at 10,000. The barrel pivots to the side for loading and has a small release button on the bottom of the frame forward of the spur trigger.

The barrel about 70 percent faded thin original blue showing gray lines on the raised edges of the octagon barrel, natural points of wear. The frame shows scattered thin blue over steel gray, but with blue in the screw head and hammer. The grips are very good and have a tight fit. This would make a good early western display piece as vest pocket pistol for a gambler or cautious traveler.    [sr]

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