Old Kit Derringer, What Should I Check?

Will_White · Aug 4, 2017

Was looking through an old gun safe with some of my grandpa's guns in it and came across an older Philadelphia Derringer kit gun, my guess is early to mid 90s because I didn't know about it and my uncle didn't know about it either. Anyway, I want to clean it up and finish it so I can shoot it. The bore looks clean and the lock looks pretty well fitted just needs a screw on the back, theres some water staining on the stock but it's solid and also looks pretty well fitted. Other then the rust it seems pretty solid. Once I get the lock off is there anything I should look out for? Also how do I find what the bore size is, a 410 shotgun shell fits snug, and what powder and loading should I start with?

Pheasantdawg · Aug 4, 2017

Pull the nipple, clean and put some kind of antiseize on the threads. Pull the lock and check the notches on the tumbler as well the sear. Make sure the flash channel is clear of any unfired loads, dirt or dead bugs.

DGW currently lists these as .45 caliber so a .440 ball and .010" patch would work. 10-15gr FFFg would be about right. Since accuracy isn't an option go with a combination that's easy to load.

Andy54Hawken · Aug 4, 2017

You can order a tang bolt screw from :
The GunWorks
Track of the Wolf
Dixie's Gunworks.

I would also check and make sure the breech is tight and snug against the barrel.
Andy