Derringers – a true legend for small-size pocket pistols!

The 1872 derringer pistol was chambered for a .22 short caliber cartridge, had a nickel or gold frame for gun collectors and a single-blue 8’’ barrel. Made from zinc alloy and hardwood, it was especially preferred by those who wanted a small gun, concealed in the pocket of their trousers. Even if Colt and Remington started a competition with Henry Derringer, his guns maintained their popularity and reputation for quality and performance. Another 1871 derringer is just as famous, the .31-caliber black powdered version. Fitted with a black frame and a gold barrel, it is one of the finest small pistols ever made. The finish is incredible, the materials are zinc alloy and hardwood and plenty of accessories were made to go along with it. There are hand-crafted presentation cases, made only from the finest wood and with velvet on the inside. There are wall plaques especially made for gun collectors and enthusiasts, unique items indeed!

As for other legends connected with the Derringer name, there are some that give detailed accounts of gamblers and various outlaws. Somewhere around 1850s, they all preferred to use concealed weapons upon attack and so did other citizens for protection purposes. Derringers were usually carried in pairs and they had incredible precision for the small guns that they actually were. And when in 1856, Henry Derringer came out with a new and improved small pocket pistol, the demand grew even more. The new model had this time been fitted for metallic cartridges and was much more efficient than its predecessor.

Soon after, new loading mechanisms were implemented for the derringer and that included the 1861 breech-loading of Daniel Moore. His model was the same small-pocket pistol, with a single barrel and chambered for a .41 rim-fire cartridge but the loading system was different. It attracted the attention of the National Arms Company that decided to buy the newly improved derringer. And as it was clear that more improvements were going to be added to the original derringer, the year of 1870 brought a patented barrel with a side-swinging mechanism. It was the invention of Alexander Thuer and it managed to maintain the popularity of the derringer until the start of the 20th century, when the first automatic pistols were released.

Even if the automatic pistols managed to replace and take over derringer’s popularity, in the second half the 20th century the original 1872 derringer was released once again on the market. Chambered for the .22 short cartridges, it was affordable and had many attractive features. And as there were many collectors interested in the derringer’s return, other models were re-introduced for production in the years to come.

Today, the term of derringer is associated with any small-size pocket pistol. The first model that Henry Derringer designed had remained in history, being easy to handle and conceal, accurate at short distances. The features of the original derringer were considered particularly attractive by other manufacturers and they soon started to produce their own models. Widely used in the American Civil War and during that period, the derringer had made history not only under the name of Henry Derringer but also under the one of Colt or Remington. Special models were made for gun collectors, plated with gold and they remained as unique firearms. Still, no matter the history and the various models of derringers, there isn’t one more famous than the derringer used by John Booth to murder United States President, Abraham Lincoln!