Would like to know more about this one

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Freedom_fighter_in_IL

Member
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
2,097
Ok guys, while I do know my long guns and most modern handguns well, this one has me stumped. It's a little .38 special that my dad carried as a pocket pistol ever since I can remember so it is at least 50 years old. Markings are as follows, Left side reads Caliber 38 special. Top reads Mississippi Derringer. Right side reads, Made In Germany. Other markings are what looks like a Wingspread bird of some sort with an "N" under it. Also what looks like a crooked cross with 3 half moons and the number 61 all in a row. serial is 5431. Attempting pics now but they aren't that good. If I focused enough to see the markings clearly the flash blurred it. but I think I have a couple that may be good enough to see it.

Would like to know the maker of this little feller and possibly the value if possible for insurance purposes. Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
Sure wish I could find who made it. This one is in much better condition and nickel plated as well with a much lower serial number and also in .38 special so I am sure worth a bit more than that.
 
Well, it was made and imported before 1968, a derringer does not garner enough BATF "points" to be imported under their regulations based on GCA 1968.

It probably cost about $30 back then, I won't guess a current value, but I paid $200 for a Great Western made in America for use in CAS.
 
I have seen very similar guns for sale in the $100-150 range with few takers. The plating is probably not nickel, but chrome, common in German guns of that era. The value to you would be in its association with your father, not in dollars.

Frankly, special insurance would probably not be worth it. Insurance companies seem to assume that anything called a gun is worth thousands of dollars and charge premiums accordingly. That relatively small value would be more than covered under the general household goods coverage.

Jim
 
Great Western Derringers are considered one of the best and carry a premium. Yours is one of the many inexpensive derringer type firearms imported prior to 1968, These were made by a slew of maker including Rohm. I feel a 100 dollars would be generous.
 
Ok then, so adding it to my insurance along with my other 60+ firearms wouldn't be prudent I guess. I did do some research and it isn't a Rohm. They had totally different "proof" marks. This little sucker has me all stumped. Never had so much difficulty finding the maker of a weapon! Thanks for the attempt at the help guys.
 
If you are going to list 60+ guns and pay the premiums, you might as well list that one, too. I had the impression it was the only one you were considering insuring and the way insurance is set up, just insuring one gun isn't worth it unless the gun is very valuable.

Jim
 
Other makers of these derringers were Schmidt, a small German firm called I believe Kassen, perhaps Weihrauch and of course Rohm. I don't believe Sauer and Son made any, could be wrong on that.
 
Jim, Sometimes when I add a weapon it raises my premium by a little bit and sometimes it doesn't so I like to know the value of it prior to adding.

Ron, As far as I know Sauer didn't make any Deringer doups. I will look into Schmit, Kassen, and Weihrauch. It's not cheaply made enough to be a Rohm plus it doesn't have the correct markings for that POS company either. Surprisingly enough the little thing actually shoots well out to 25 feet. Loud as hell though. Thanks again
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top