Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice "salty" service used example of one of several .41 caliber single shot pocket pistols, usually referred to as "Derringers", after the legendary pocket pistols made in Philadelphia before the civil war. The National Arms company had made one of the early examples, which featured a rotating barrel based on a 1861 patent held by Daniel Moore. This company was later purchased by Colt, who continued production. However they were definitely not the only company that made pistols like this.

Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Co. of Newburyport, Mass. patented their own design for a "Derringer" in 1867 as a competitor to the National Arms pistol, and it was honestly a much better design. Instead of the rotating barrel, it instead pivoted to the side, with an ejector removing the spent cartridge. They marketed the pistol as the "SOUTHERNER", intended to appeal to customers in the South, hoping to take advantage of markets farther from the large firearms industry in New England. They manufactured about 6,500 of these pistols between 1867 and 1869.

In 1869, the company was reorganized as Brown Manufacturing Co., and they would go on to produce 10,000 more of the pistols between 1869 to 1873. Of note is that this design anticipated Colt's "Thuer" model or "New Model" Derringer, which was not released until 1875, five years after they purchased National Arms, and was based on a similar concept.

This example is very good condition, showing wear from service and cleaning, which has removed the bluing on the barrel, and also removed the plating from the frame, except for under the grips. It really looks great, with a beautiful golden patina on the brass frame. The barrel looks to have seen a bit of past oxidation and peppering, and cleaning has made the markings on the barrel faint. There is no sign of refinishing, just how we like to see them. The top of the barrel still bears a faint large SOUTHERNER marking on the top. Unfortunately due to wear, markings on the left side of the barrel are completely worn away, and some letter E stamps have been added to both sides. The markings originally would have read:

BROWN MF'G. Co.
NEWBURYPORT. MASS.
PAT. APR. 9. 1867.

The bottom of the pistol grip is worn, and looks like it may have been personalized at some point, so the serial number is not legible. However, the top of the frame under the barrel, the inside of both grips, and the under side of the barrel are marked with serial number 1733, which makes this a very nice "ALL MATCHING" example, with no parts swapped out over the years.

The action opens and closes correctly when the button on the bottom of the frame is pressed, and the hammer must be in the half or full cock position for it to open. The ejector is present, however not functional, as the pin on the frame that actuates it has broken off. The bore of the barrel still shows clear rifling, but it is definitely worn and oxidized overall from use and lack of cleaning. The grips look to be rosewood, and are definitely worn from use and age. The screws holding them in are definitely hard to remove due to wear.

A lovely concealable pocket pistol from the late 19th century that looks to have seen quite a bit of use, ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1869-1873
Caliber: .41cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 4 7/8 inches
Action: Pivoting Barrel
Feed System: Single Shot

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.