Input request from the black powder gurus

[JohnnyMac]

I got this passed down as a family heirloom. Not sure what the story behind it is. Just looking to see if anyone has any insight on age or insurance value.

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[thorborg]

Looks very derringer Philadelphia-ish only somewhat sleeker than usual.
Without maker info, @Andy54Hawken likely could ballpark the insurance info you need.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Beautiful pistol JohnnyMac...!

Derringer pistols and copies thereof...were extremely popular from the late 1830's till the 1870s .
Lots and I mean lots of folks made them....both foreign and domestic

Does your pistol have any marks or names on it....
Bear in mind that a name on the lock ...may only mean who made the lock.
Same as the barrel...it may only mean that the fella made the barrel....

As thorburg pointed out...it does indeed look "Philadelphia - ish".
Pistols of this type are a huge rabbit hole ....

As for value....I have seen them go for $400 on up.....just depends on :
Condition ....
Maker....
As well as the store associated with it....like in the case of a Slotterbeck marked one or J. P. Lower....
Some marked St, Louis go for more...

Also know this...
That many , many copies were made in Belgium....and many were marked "Derringer" or some close spelling....
These are in general a good pistol...but not worth what a actual Derringer made pocket pistol is worth.

I really need to get one of these types of pistols for my display....
Andy

 

[JohnnyMac]

Beautiful pistol JohnnyMac...!

Derringer pistols and copies thereof...were extremely popular from the late 1830's till the 1870s .
Lots and I mean lots of folks made them....both foreign and domestic

Does your pistol have any marks or names on it....
Bear in mind that a name on the lock ...may only mean who made the lock.
Same as the barrel...it may only mean that the fella made the barrel....

As thorburg pointed out...it does indeed look "Philadelphia - ish".
Pistols of this type are a huge rabbit hole ....

As for value....I have seen them go for $400 on up.....just depends on :
Condition ....
Maker....
As well as the store associated with it....like in the case of a Slotterbeck marked one or J. P. Lower....
Some marked St, Louis go for more...

Also know this...
That many , many copies were made in Belgium....and many were marked "Derringer" or some close spelling....
These are in general a good pistol...but not worth what a actual Derringer made pocket pistol is worth.

I really need to get one of these types of pistols for my display....
Andy

Thanks for info Andy. I'll give it a good close look for markings. It appears well used.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Only thing I could find was what looks more like damage from a drop or whacking someone upside the top hat with.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

No markings...Hmmm...Maybe you have the first "Ghost Gun"...

Well the only thing to do is send it to me and I'll take a long look at it....

Markings or not...and even with being well used ...you have a beautiful pistol and one to be proud of.

Derringer type pocket pistols are a important of firearms history.
Andy

 

[JohnnyMac]

Thanks again Andy. I'll have it in the mail tomorrow morning.