Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol)

Concealed-Carry Pocket Pistol

United States | 1825

"Derringer - note double R - became the generic name for a class of concealable small pistols following the original Deringer-family designs."

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Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/19/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The word "derringer" was a generic name for super-compact pistols of the 19th Century. The title stemmed from the surname of the father and son gunsmith team made up of Henry Deringer, Senior and Henry Deringer, Junior. The pair plied their trade out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from the early part of the century into the late 1860s. Despite their name becoming associated with the handy, concealed-carry pistol, their trade also involved rifles and dueling pistols though it is their pocket designs that were openly copied throughout the industrialized world. For reasons lost to history, the name of the weapon "derringer" adopted a second "R" unlike the actual "Deringer" family name. Henry Deringer, Jr survived until 1868 to the age of 81 by which time the family business had suffered enough to close down forever. No patent was ever filed for the derringer designs which proved popular with the masses.

Generally, derringer pistols were large-caliber weapons utilizing very compact frames. They were often of single-shot or even twin-shot configurations actuated by a trigger pull and a flintlock or percussion cap arrangement (the latter seen in later models). Due to their compact size, they were perfect guns for concealment in a coat pocket, or a lady's purse, and useful in extremely close-range confrontations. Deringer produced their small pistols in matching pairs typically delivered in ornate showpiece boxes (consistent with pistols of the period). Each design varied in caliber and barrel length.

Derringer pistols have proven equally popular in Hollywood Westerns where the gambler or hero usually carries one, or a pair, in a spring-loaded contraption hidden under the sleeve or simply in a leg boot though it is reasoned that their use in real life was far more conventional.

According to sources, derringers were used to a certain extent in the American Civil War despite their not being true "military-minded" weapons.

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

30 ft
9.1 m | 10.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

1
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Physical
The physical qualities of the Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

90 mm
3.54 in
O/A Length

76 mm
2.99 in
Barrel Length

Flintlock- or Percussion-based System
Action

.45 cal
Caliber(s)

Variable, typically single-shot
Feed

Front Fixed
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol) Concealed-Carry Pocket Pistol family line.

Derringer - Base Series Designation

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Henry Deringer Sr, Henry Deringer Jr. - USA

[ United States ]

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Going Further...
The Deringer (Derringer Pocket Pistol) Concealed-Carry Pocket Pistol appears in the following collections:

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ARMS

EARLY FIREARMS

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