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 also was cut down a bit, so now it is only 2" long, and not 2 3/8". It has seen a lot of cleaning to the sides, which looks to have removed the original maker mark. The top of the barrel still bears a large SOUTHERNER marking on the top. The markings on the side of the barrel originally would have read:

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

The pistol is marked with serial number 2198 on the bottom of the grip frame, which is still clear. This same number is stamped onto the bottom of the barrel, and on the inside of BOTH grip scales. The ejector mechanism is completely missing, so this is a very nice "Mostly Matching" example. Based on past examples, pistols marked "Brown Mf'g. Co." usually have the serial on the bottom of the grips, while the ones marked "Merimack Arms & Mfg. Co." have the serial number on top of the frame.

The action opens and closes correctly when the button on the bottom of the frame is pressed, however there is no longer any half cock position on the hammer, so the action can be opened at any time. As mentioned previously the ejector mechanism is completely missing, probably removed long ago after it broke. We checked the bore, and we can still see rifling, however we can also see a good amount of past overall peppering and oxidation, which was cleaned away, leaving light pitting and peppering. The grips look to be rosewood, and are in very good service used condition, showing a lovely color with exterior wear, but no major chips or cracking.

A lovely concealable pocket pistol from the late 19th century, ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1867-1869
Caliber: .41cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 3/8 inches
Overall Length: 4 3/4 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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.