#212 Having no characteristics whatsoever of any other known Southern derringer maker is this specimen from my collection that I have had for ten or twelve years. The tear drop buttcap, the wedge plate escutcheons, the silver inlay under the barrel and the left hand sideplate and name plate over the wrist are all plain with no engraving which is typical of Southern guns. There is no provision for ramrod. Notice the forearm nose is fluted and that it is turned downward somewhat. The trigger guard is steel and does have the Southern type of screw through the trigger plate attaching to the barrel. The lock plate has a very high radius curve to make it fit the curve of the wrist. The round barrel is flat on top. The dovetailed steel base front sight has a German silver blade. Notice that the hammer is not derringer style in that it has a slightly rounded face. No proof marks under barrel. This gun is in exceedingly fine condition, and I would say almost like new. Its caliber is .450.

UNKNOWN

#206 Here is an unidentifiable hand made Southern type derringer with markings on the barrel that are hand cut and very crude as follows: “J. E. B.” The wood is curly maple and the trigger guard and trigger plate are steel with no butt cap on the flat butt. There is a screw through the trigger plate attaching the forearm to the barrel. This can be seen in the photograph. The rifled bore is caliber .500.

MEMO:

Transcriber’s Notes