Help Please? ID 5 shot pocket revolver

[ManInLowCastle]

HI everyone. Long time reader, first time poster,

I finally took a harder look at a non-functioning 5 shot derringer that has been in the family for years. To my knowledge it has never functioned and has been a wall-hanger in my father's gun cabinet for the last 45+ years. I tore it apart last night on the assumption that the problem had to be a broken mainspring. {This turned out to be correct}

I've looked all over the piece and can't find any marks or stamps on it. Would anyone have an idea what this little beastie might be?

Thanks for any help

 

[Jim Watson]

A "suicide special," late 19th.

General treatise
http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/SSs/sss.html

List of brand names and makers
http://gun-data.com/suicide_specials.htm

 

[ManInLowCastle]

Excellent help, Jim. Thank you very much. Barring the mainspring it is capable of firing but as noted the metal is in such poor condition it shouldn't be attempted. Barrel is unrifled.
My father found it in the wall of an old Victorian house during a renovation project. Good to know more about it.