.22 Derringer Identity

aufevermike · Mar 19, 2006

This was given to me by my Dad about 25 years ago. I was told by him that it was carried by a Civil War General along with it's sidekick the .25 in which my Uncle has. There are no words or letter on this gun whatsoever. There are only 3 digits 665 on the brass along the backside of the grip. The barrle twists as you can see in the pic. Has anyone seen or know the make of such a weapon?http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j90/aufevermike/P0002024.jpg

jacobtowne · Mar 19, 2006

First, please downsize the image - it's running the text off the screen.

It's called a swingout deringer. I've got one by Ethan Allen, although it has a maker's stamp on the barrel, and it's .22 caliber.
I'll go get a photo.

Here's a top view:

And a side view:

JT

aufevermike · Mar 19, 2006

Thanx, I tried to resize it down on "photobucket" but I guess it didn't work.....sorry, any ideas?
I noticed that yours' has the ejector on it but otherwise they are very similar. Mine also doesn't have the rear site like your's does. They are neat though.

Thanx again,
Mike

jacobtowne · Mar 19, 2006

You have sharp eyes. The little guy does have an ejector. According to what I've read, it was an option on this model.
Yours looks like a larger caliber than .22. Any ideas what size bore?
JT

aufevermike · Mar 19, 2006

From the size of my picture it looks like a 45-70 huh? Acutally it is .22 and I have shot it many times. Once I took it on my trapline about 20 years ago where I dispatched a grey fox with it. According to my Dad someone once told him it was a Sharps. Any idea what year yours was produced? Seems like it was the style back then.

jacobtowne · Mar 20, 2006

Actually, I was going to guess at least .41 caliber.
S&W introduced the .22 Short about 1857, IIRC, and these pistols were popular for some years afterward, although small repeaters (revolvers) gained rapidly in popularity.
The Ethan Allen was made between 1865 and 1871. I don't know how you could determine the date of yours without knowing the manufacturer, but someone may come along with an answer.
What's that button on the underside of the frame forward of the trigger?
JT

aufevermike · Mar 20, 2006

That liitle button is the release in order to twist the barrel open. The trigger needs to at least be half or full cocked before the barrel will twist open. Pick out the .22 long or short with your finger, insert another round.

aufevermike · Mar 20, 2006

Mine isn't on a swing arm like yours is either. I think we can eliinate that mine is not an Ethan Allen. Similar but different. Mine is a brass frame, doesn't have the ejector or swing arm. Mine just swivles on the frame. I don't have a rear sight as well. The profiles look the same though. Do you ever shoot yours?

jacobtowne · Mar 20, 2006

No, I've never shot it. Looking at your picture - on the side of the brass frame, just below the barrel breech, it looks as though there is, or was, a two-line stamp there. Or am I seeing things?
I'll take a look in Flayderman to see whether I can find something similar.
JT

jacobtowne · Mar 20, 2006

Boy, you wouldn't believe how many companies made these things - dozens, most in the Northeast, and most of those in New England, mainly Mass. and Conn.
Iver Johnson and Hopkins & Allen made very similar ones, frequently without markings, according to Flayderman.
JT

aufevermike · Mar 20, 2006

Nope, that is jut the brass showing it's grain. I have looked everywhere for any other marks and the only other thik on this gun is a "L" on the left side of the frame under the Grips. On the grip it has the same 3 numbers as on the gun adn barrel. Looking under the grips I noticed this is brass plated not solid.

.22 Derringer Identity

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