Few pistols are as emblematic of the antebellum south and early west as the Deringer. This one is clearly marked on the breech “F.H. CLARK & CO. / MEMPHIS” and was likely one of their higher end pocket pistols, embellished with extra engraving and some fine detailing. The grips are checkered and the hammer, back-action lock plate, breechplug tang, upper left side flat of the barrel, and triggerguard bow are foliate-scroll engraved with some starburst engraving on the lockplate and breechplug tang screws, and an engraved forward triggerguard finial.

The pistol also has German silver mounts, including a flat pommel cap and short backstrap, shield plaque on the grip, oval escutcheon plates on the barrel wedge, and the nose cap, all of which are plain, something Flayderman notes as a recognizable trait of Clark deringers. But, in addition, it has German silver mounts that are engraved: a small plaque under the bolster that has foliate motifs matching the lockplate and hammer; a triggerguard finial in version of the classical pineapple/urn with spike top (similar to some Deringer versions.)

Most remarkable, however, are two other engraved German silver mounts. The first is a long escutcheon plate for the lockscrew on the left that is shaped and engraved as a sea serpent with open mouth resting against the side screw and long, scrolling body and tail. Even more striking is the plaque above the lockplate, alongside the hammer, which is engraved with a seahorse, full length, pictured with what are clearly ocean waves below and next to it. The sea serpent is unusual, but has some parallels in contemporary gun engraving, like the fish scale and other engraving on some Colt hammers. We see some general interpretations of the seahorse as symbolizing persistence, patience, and other positive qualities, but this seems so unique and idiosyncratic that we think it more likely to be a personalized motif for a specific purchaser.

F. H. Clark & Co. claimed in advertisements to have started in 1841. The company  underwent several reorganizations, but retained the same name from at least 1848 to Clark’s death in1866. They dealt in wide variety of fancy goods- jewelry, silver, watches, etc., with guns prominent among them. A May 1857 advertisement in the Memphis Daily Appeal, which we show, notes, “Pistols, DERRINGER and COLT of all sizes,” indicating their two most popular offerings. Clark had acted as agent for Henry Deringer in 1855, one of at least two in Memphis. There was not much that Deringer could actually patent about his pocket pistols, however, and Clark, like many dealers developed other suppliers. Pistols show up with Deringer markings indicating they were manufactured by Deringer for Clark and also pistols like this one with just Clark’s marking, indicating the company was making them themselves or, more likely, getting them from one of Deringer’s imitators.

The wood is very good, with excellent checkering, good surface and color showing some pleasing grain, and a tight fit to the metal. The wood shows just a little wear on the left just behind the nose cap. The ramrod appears to be original to the pistol and is silver capped. The metal is very good. The front sight is in place. The barrel is 3-3/4” and shows as a thin plum around the muzzle shading to some blue tones about halfway back. There is just some shallow freckling on left side of the breech and little on the left of the muzzle. The mechanics are good. The bore is clean, with good rifling evident even at the muzzle. The mechanics are fine.

This would add to a collection of deringers and pocket pistols of the period, but also displays very nicely on its own, repaying inspection of the careful engraving and the motifs. It is certainly a gentleman’s pocket pistol that might be carried unobtrusively, like some small bowie knives and stilettos, for personal defense or to resent some sudden personal insult or perceived slight to one’s honor, if not to finding one’s hand of four kings and an ace being beaten by four aces and king in a friendly game of poker.  [SR][ph:L]