{"product_id":"original-u-s-southerner-steel-frame-single-shot-derringer-by-brown-mfg-co-in-41-caliber-rimfire-matching-serial-4865","title":"Original U.S. \"Southerner\" Steel Frame Single Shot Derringer by Brown Mfg. Co. in .41 Caliber Rimfire - Matching Serial 4865","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMerrimack Arms \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is very good condition, showing wear from service and cleaning, which has removed the finish overall. leaving a mottled polished steel patina that looks great. These pistols were made with both brass and iron frames, and this example has the more durable iron frame, which originally would have been blued or case-hardened. Past cleaning has made the markings a bit faint on the barrel, but they are still fully legible. The top of the barrel still bears a large \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSOUTHERNER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e marking on the top, and the left side of the barrel still shows the complete Brown Manufacturing address and patent markings:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBROWN MF'G. Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNEWBURYPORT. MASS.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. APR. 9. 1867.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol is marked with serial number \u003cstrong\u003e4865\u003c\/strong\u003e on the top of the frame on the \"table\", and this same number is stamped onto the bottom of the barrel, ejector, and on the inside of \u003cstrong\u003eBOTH\u003c\/strong\u003e grip scales. That makes this a very nice \u003cstrong\u003e\"ALL MATCHING\"\u003c\/strong\u003e example, with no parts swapped out over the years!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 and fully functional, presenting when the action is opened all the way. The bore of the barrel is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There is some oxidation and past fouling, as expected on a black powder pistol. The grips look to be rosewood, and are in lovely condition, showing light wear and no cracking or other damage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely concealable pocket pistol from the late 19th century, ready to display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: 1869-1873\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .41cal\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 2 1\/2 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 4 7\/8 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Pivoting Barrel\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41867145084997,"sku":"ONJR23HA030","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR23HA030__01.jpg?v=1726795234","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-southerner-steel-frame-single-shot-derringer-by-brown-mfg-co-in-41-caliber-rimfire-matching-serial-4865","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}