A small percussion pistol made by Henry Deringer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, probably 1855-60.

This is the famous pistol that was so well received by the public that the name of its maker later became synonymous with all small pocket pistols, even later examples that used cartridges rather than being loaded from the muzzle. This example has a 2 1/4 inch barrel, being one size above the smallest of the six or more sizes of pistols made by Deringer. It is most famous (or infamous) as being the weapon used to assassinate President Lincoln in 1865. Some normal wear to the checkering of the wood is noted along with minor and normal wear to the metal parts, but the pistol is in very good overall condition and the lock functions nicely. Caliber seems to be the standard .41 size. The top flat of the barrel is marked " C. CURRY/ SAN FRANCo/ CALa/ AGENT". Other markings include Deringer's mark "DERINGER/ PHILADELa" on the lock plate, with the same mark again appearing on top of the barrel. On the side flat of the barrel is the "P" proof mark found on all genuine Deringer pistols. I am not a gun expert but the piece seems to me to be in good order and a nice collectable example of this famous pistol.

2200.00