Home of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia was also the home of the Deringer pocket pistol. Born in 1786, with a father in the gun-making business, Henry Deringer concentrated first on longarms, but moved into pistols in the 1830s and 1840s, and then most notably by 1852 into very small, but large caliber, pocket pistols that might be carried inconspicuously in a coat or even vest pocket. They are often connected with western expansion, like Colt’s 1849 pocket revolvers that promised security for travelers, gold miners, and others where law might be uncertain, and they were popular in the south where a perceived or imagined slight be instantly resented, but the Deringer also reflects something of a concern about urbanization, offering a short-range arm a gentleman might carry inconspicuously, but be useful in close confines of a city street or alley, if not an opponent just across a card table, where even a single shot of sufficient caliber might be decisive.

Deringer’s pistols proved popular and imitators naturally sprang up almost immediately. In this case the pistol is completely unmarked, clearly to avoid legal action over trademark or design infringement, but the similarities are unmistakable. The round barrel is 2-1/4” long and of typically large caliber, about .44. The back action lock is foliate engraved on the lockplate and the hammer. The wood has very pleasing color and grain, with the grip showing a distinct bird’s head butt and fine checkering, and the forend showing a smooth, downward curl below the muzzle. The barrel is inlaid with two narrow bands at the breech, with foliate engraving between the bands that mirrors the lockplate and is also executed on the triggerguard bow. A simple notched rear sight stands at the head of the breechplug tang, which shows cursory foliate engraving to its rear point, with some strokes on the screw as well. The elongated forward triggerguard finial is also simply engraved with short strokes.

In addition to the two narrow bands near the nipple, inlays include a dot and shield on the back of the grip, oval and dot escutcheons on either side at the barrel wedge, washer with lower point for the lock screw, which has slash engraving like the breechplug tang screw, a rather sinuous sideplate, and a tear-drop butt escutcheon.

The condition overall is very good. The wood has very good color and finish. The barrel shows some faint blue. The inlays all appear to be brass, likely originally gilt or silver washed, as would have been the plate below the bolster. The lock is functional, holding at full-cock, but not at half-cock.

This would make a good addition to a Deringer, pocket pistol collection, or look good simply laid out with a period deck of cards, and perhaps a dagger.  [sr][ph:m]