Philadelphia Derringer

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Leon DeGamme

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I saw this little muzzleloader kit online a few days ago and remember when sportsmans guide used to sell a ivory grip (plastic?) with a stainless barrel version years ago. Anyway, I would like to have one but I have heard the heritage arms kit is pretty bad quality. Does anyone know where I could get one of these that worth the money? A kit would be ok, but a finished gun would be better because I dont really have a workshop and tools.
 

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I don't know of any mass-produced versions that are decent quality. What caliber are you looking for? I'll get a quote for you. :)
 
How bout one thas .72 caliber? Fer REAL! Ifin yer wantin a little custom job in .45, tha BOSS figgers about 425.00 from grouund up.
 
Deer Creek Products

Deer Creek in Waldron, Indiana is a reputable outfit and their catalog lists 3 different derringers. Their phone # is 765-525-6181 and they are pleasant to deal with.

1. They list the Traditions Philadelphia Derringer, .45 caliber with walnut finish, #P-1015 for $105.00

2. They list a Dandy Derringer with a nickle barrel & lock and white gloss finish stock for $99.00

3. They list a .41 caliber Henry baby derringer kit for $139.00

#'s 2 & 3 may be made by Palmetto whose guns aren't known for having the best reputation. Traditions is what was sold by The Sportsman's Guide. Call Deer Creek and ask them any questions you might have.
 
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In the past, Philadelphia Derringers were imported into this country that were made by Jukar in Spain. I'm not sure who imported the Jukar made derringers, but I would bet it was CVA, who from what I understand is no longer in the traditional BP game, since they imported other Jukars.

On eBay, people often part out Philadelphia Derringers, and you can put one together for not too princely a sum. However, the parts will likewise be in less than perfect shape.
 
Articap,
That sounds like it may be what I am looking for. Are you sure they arent offering a "kit"? Do they have a website?
 
The old Jukar Phil. Derringers were a low cost item but they were reliable shooters - much better than the Palmetto made Lincoln derringer that is going for over five hundred dollars through the dixie catalogue right now.
 
Deer Creek doesn't have a website, but they are well known in muzzle loading circles for their extensive inventory of parts, guns and supplies.
I don't know what they have in stock, but they are only a phone call away. And they'll send a catalog along with your order on request.
Their listing of the Traditions Philadelphia Derringer shows that it is a completed gun, as is the Dandy Derringer, but I'm not really sure who makes those other 2 that I mentioned. You'll just have to ask them whether they also offer it as a kit or not since they may also carry items not listed in their catalog.
They do show 2 other small, completed .41 caliber caplock pistols named the Mcnab and Abilene, but they look more like small screw barrel type pistols.
 
I appreciate all your input. I am going to look up deer creek next week and see what they got. Again, thanks for your help guys, you never ceace to amaze.
 
Nice pistol there HKMP5SD! I assume you built that from a kit being that you know when it was assembled- but were the parts Jukar made, or is it unmarked.

At the front part of the lock, that brass piece is seperate, correct?
 
Yes, it is Jukar and yes, that brass piece is separate. I bought the kit at the submarine base in Groton, Ct. and put it together while poking holes in the ocean.
 
It's interesting that the Groton sub base there was temporarily slated for closing, but the decision was reversed and it's now going to continue in operation.
Poking any kind of holes can be fun! :D
 
me too

I also built one of those CVA kits in the early 1980s. Nice kit, and I've shot the completed gun a few times. It may have been made by Jukar, but I don't recall anything on the gun markings that might confirm that.

By the way, I also have a Jukar Kentucky Rifle which I bought as a partial (distressed stock) kit. I can tell you that the quality is far below that of the CVA rifle. The barrel only had 3 wide rifling groves. the 2-piece stock used an ugly brass stamping to connect the halves (I eliminated this) and the lock was very poor quality. I'm still trying to get a lockspring to work so I can finish this gun - after 20 years ;)
 
Last year, I bought one kit, made in Spain. As this pistol pleased me and though that it would enjoyable to assemble and polish.
Barrel channel was 1/4" out of axis, fitting was more than light milling and need wood paste to fill the gap and so on for trigger, putting hammer and nipple well together seems impossible without rebuilding the stock, I didn't understood how I could fit all together to get something operationnal.

So I bought the same from the same brand but "ready to shoot out of the box":

derringer+shotshell_640_IMG_1376.jpg

Enjoy-it each time I bring-it to the range.

Sold the "kit" 85% in box with paper for 5$ (a gift maybe valuable, for 5$ you know what you get) to a friend (well advertised about difficulties). Last time we speak of this little thing, he hadn't any complaint against me and he though to buy a new "finished" one !.

Maybe a lemon, don't read so bad thing about their kit usually, that's why I gave a try.

I like hand working but now I'll stay far from kit. Refinishing and adjustement on used guns or evn new one are enough to me.

At the opposit of this "snubby", you will find someone who make me dreaming about kit:
http://riflestocks.tripod.com/50cal.html

A lot of reading about refinishing a kit !.
 
Just out of curiousity since the manual is pretty vague, what is the best way to clean the gun after firing? do you completely remove the barrel? soap and water? disassembly?
 
Leon DeGamme

I clean the entire gun after firing. I completely disassemble
every thing. Hot soapy water to clean it, then hot water to
rinse it off. After it is dry I oil it up good and let it set a day
or two before final inspection and assembly. Then I wipe off
any excess oil that I can see.

The wood, if it is well sealed I usually just wipe off with a damp
Cloth and let dry.

Clean the oil out of the barrel before you shoot it again.



Tinker2
 
so you remove the barrel from the stock? after time, from screwing in and out, would that eventually strip the screw or socket? is it screwing into metal or wood? sorry for all the questions. ***figured it out. I needed to tap out the bar under the barrel*** Thanks for everything guys.
 
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Leon

I do, yes I remove the barrel and lock every time.
I can’t say that I have not ever replaced any screws but
it is not a common thing that I would worry about.
I do have to replace pins on occasions, like the one that
holds the front of the barrel down from time to time, but
no big deal. Good luck.

Have fun & be safe
Tinker2
 
I may have an original

What do you think? Several years ago, my husband was cleaning a garage and he found this gun. It's a Derringer Philadelphia flint lock. It looks old. The barrel is slightly rusted inside, the brass is tarnished and the wood handle has some dents in it; but other than that it seems to be in good shape aside from the trigger sticking. The serial number stamp is a bit difficult to read as it is wearing off but it is legible. It's stamped Spain and under where it says "black powder only" it has another stamp but it's almost worn off. The last three letters of the stamp say "KAR" and the first letter appears to be a "J". This is the basic description of the gun. If anyone has any helpful info about it please reply to this thread.

Lilmogirl
 
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