Original Henry Deringer

[Thagomizer]

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.

It's a CVA. They are .45 caliber and take a .440 round ball with patch. Use a light powder charge.

 

[Eutycus]

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.

I am most curious how you came about deciding it was a .46 caliber. Did you measure the inside of the barrel maybe? I got one too but it has .45 stamped on it's barrel.

 

[Fitzhugh Williams]

I am most curious how you came about deciding it was a .46 caliber. Did you measure the inside of the barrel maybe? I got one too but it has .45 stamped on it's barrel.

By trying different ball sized from some of my other guns. And this on has no caliber size stamped on it. Only Jukar and Spain.

 

[Robin101]

That is the smallest one I have ever seen, very cool!!!!! Someone versed in restoration could fix that to where you would have to look long and hard to see the fix, saving that, I wouldn't touch it.
Robin