Reaching full development about 1852, Deringer’s large caliber single shot pocket pistols spawned numerous imitations, not a few with spurious markings. This one makes no pretense on that account- the 3-5/8” .45 caliber rifled barrel is clearly marked “London” near the muzzle. It is fitted with a bag-shaped grip checkered by simple, lightly incised lines. The mounts are German silver- front sight, nose cap, wedge escutcheons, a simple eight-petal flower butt cap with narrow incised lines around the screw, a rounded corner rectangle thumbpiece, and two narrow bands inlaid in the breech. The brass tipped ramrod is in place.

The breech shows rather cursory foliate sprays, as does its tang, with a simple checked line at its base. The small V-notch rear sight is in place. The barrel shows smooth metal and thin plum brown. The breech shows faded blue. The lockplate is engraved with two border lines and loose foliate scrolls that are mirrored on the bolster and triggerguard bow in similar cursory fashion, with some decorative slashes given the to lock screw, triggerguard screws and forward finial. The brass-tipped ramrod is in place. The hammer is rounded and shows some corrosion and several dings. The barrel shows some vise marks. The wood nice color and tones, though showing numerous handling marks, not unexpected in a pistol carried in a pocket or very discreet holster for emergency situations while traveling by stage or coach, gambling on a riverboat, heading west or passing a dark alley in larger city.

Born in 1786, Henry Deringer concentrated first on longarms, but moved into pistols in the 1830s and 1840s, and then most notably into very small, but large caliber, pocket pistols that might be carried inconspicuously. They proved immensely popular, and there are scores of imitators and knock-offs, marked, unmarked or with spurious markings. As a group they are interesting collecting category of their own.  [sr][ph:m]