Original Henry Deringer

[The Miner '49er]

RMFnLA, that's really a prize. What's the rifling condition and will you or have you shot it?

 

[Eutycus]

I once worked with a woman who was a descendant of Mary Surratt. She even resembled Mary to a surprising degree.

I would almost bet there is a handful of members here scratching their heads wondering who Mary Surratt was.

 

[RB POWELL]

A very petite Henry Deringer I recently acquired. Bore mics out to a touch over .38 caliber. Has a repair at the wrist. Silver overlay nailed over a severely cracked wrist. But a cool little piece non the less.

Dang, that is small. Hand gives a good reference.

 

[Billy Boy]

I would almost bet there is a handful of members here scratching their heads wondering who Mary Surratt was.

Wasn’t she caught necking with Gen. Miles at some public event?

 

[The Miner '49er]

Wasn’t she caught necking with Gen. Miles at some public event?

No, but something did happen to Mary's neck.

 

[RMFnLA]

I wish mine was in the that good of condition. That's really nice. Thanks for posting the pics.

Do you think that stock break is repairable?

That would help a lot.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Do you think that stock break is repairable?

That would help a lot.

Without actually seeing it I don't know, but if the shield was removed and if the stock could either come apart or have a gap wide enough to be cleaned, I would think so. I would very carefully clean it out w/o cleaning or damaging the outer finish patina. If the stock would be in two separate pieces I might then drill and insert one or two tiny pegs, like bamboo skewer diameter, and glue them in to reinforce the mating of the two stock halves. Then reattach the thumb piece. This is all hypothetical and it would take a lot of guts to do it. Rule #1, don't use a Dremel or any other power tools. Good luck, and if you try it go slow and easy.

 

[scotti]

It could likely be repaired but I'm thinking of just leaving it as is.

 

[RMFnLA]

Without actually seeing it I don't know, but if the shield was removed and if the stock could either come apart or have a gap wide enough to be cleaned, I would think so. I would very carefully clean it out w/o cleaning or damaging the outer finish patina. If the stock would be in two separate pieces I might then drill and insert one or two tiny pegs, like bamboo skewer diameter, and glue them in to reinforce the mating of the two stock halves. Then reattach the thumb piece. This is all hypothetical and it would take a lot of guts to do it. Rule #1, don't use a Dremel or any other power tools. Good luck, and if you try it go slow and easy.

Exactly.

I was once given a beautiful .22 Stevens Favorite in perfect condition except the stock was cracked at the wrist because the owner’s moron brother used the gun to club a rabbit he’d shot but didn’t kill (really!).

I cleaned out the splinters that were holding the crack open and just glued and clamped it, nothing else, and the result was a thin line that looked like part of the grain.

Like you said, slow and easy…

 

[Notchy Bob]

It could likely be repaired but I'm thinking of just leaving it as is.

I think that’s wise, @scotti . From the pictures, that plate looks like an old repair, and now part of the pistol’s history. At this point, restoration would require not only fixing the crack, but filling nail holes and likely blending the finish where it aged differently under that plate. It could be done, but would take a real pro to do it right.

I saw an original Hawken mountain rifle up for sale on an auction site recently. Most of the metal parts were still there, but I think a few small parts like the ramrod pipes had to be replaced, and the rifle was completely restocked with all new wood. The work was done by Bob Browner, and you could not tell from the photos that it was anything but an original antique rifle in excellent condition. The point being that the repairs could be done, but it would be worth taking your time to find the right person to do it.

Just my opinion.

Notchy Bob

 

[scotti]

Unfortunately there is a couple of chunks wood missing from this one. Also wood was removed from underneath the plate on the wrist when it was installed.

 

[scotti]

I think that’s wise, @scotti . From the pictures, that plate looks like an old repair, and now part of the pistol’s history. At this point, restoration would require not only fixing the crack, but filling nail holes and likely blending the finish where it aged differently under that plate. It could be done, but would take a real pro to do it right.

I saw an original Hawken mountain rifle up for sale on an auction site recently. Most of the metal parts were still there, but I think a few small parts like the ramrod pipes had to be replaced, and the rifle was completely restocked with all new wood. The work was done by Bob Browner, and you could not tell from the photos that it was anything but an original antique rifle in excellent condition. The point being that the repairs could be done, but it would be worth taking your time to find the right person to do it.

Just my opinion.

Notchy Bob

I could restock this one myself but I do believe leaving it as is would probably be best.

 

[RMFnLA]

RMFnLA, that's really a prize. What's the rifling condition and will you or have you shot it?

Thanks!

Rifling looks good. It had very light surface rust when I got it but I gave it a good cleaning and the Ren wax treatment so it’s ok now.

I’ll post a photo or two when I get a chance.

Haven’t shot it, not planning to; it’s too nice and I’d be really bummed if I messed it up.

That’s what the replicas are for, IMO.

 

[RMFnLA]

I could restock this one myself but I do believe leaving it as is would probably be best.

I bet Turnbull could clean it up, but it wouldn’t be cheap.

 

[The Miner '49er]

Thanks!

Rifling looks good. It had very light surface rust when I got it but I gave it a good cleaning and the Ren wax treatment so it’s ok now.

I’ll post a photo or two when I get a chance.

Haven’t shot it, not plannningto; it’s too nice and I’d be really bummed if I messed it up.

That’s what the replicas are for, IMO.

I agree 100%, I wouldn't shoot it either!

 

[scotti]

I bet Turnbull could clean it up, but it wouldn’t be cheap

Turnbull does excellent work. But I have the means and tools to restock this if I wanted... On the other hand I do have an original 1901 manufactured model 94 Winchester rifle that may be going to Turnbull in the near future.

 

[SDSmlf]

I would almost bet there is a handful of members here scratching their heads wondering who Mary Surratt was.

If one doesn’t care to read about such things, watch the movie ‘The Conspirator’.

 

[Wncman]

A very petite Henry Deringer I recently acquired. Bore mics out to a touch over .38 caliber. Has a repair at the wrist. Silver overlay nailed over a severely cracked wrist. But a cool little piece non the less.

Nice find. The patch add character

 

[Fitzhugh Williams]

This thread got me to thinking about a "Derringer" I bought many years ago at a pawn shop. It has a lock marked "Derringer" and "Philadelphia" with some engraving, but is otherwise very plain. The barrel is very thick and marked "Jukar" and "Spain". I am thinking CVA or pre-CVA? They sold it cheap because the hammer dropped vary slowly and no one wanted to buy it. I took it home and backed the lock screw off a half a turn and it worked fine. Screw was hitting the hammer. It is about .46 cal. so can use a ball made for a revolver. Not a pretty gun, but it is what it is. Don't think I have ever fired it myself.

 

[RMFnLA]

Turnbull does excellent work. But I have the means and tools to restock this if I wanted... On the other hand I do have an original 1901 manufactured model 94 Winchester rifle that may be going to Turnbull in the near future.

I was actually thinking they could repair the original stock.

I’ve seen some really good wood work from them and other talented people.