Make: R.P. Bruff

Model: Philadelphia Deringer Copy

Serial Number: None.

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1850s-1860s

Caliber: .41

Action Type: Single Shot Percussion Pistol

Barrel Length: 3"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small german-silver blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch integral to the barrel tang.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is one-piece checkered walnut with german-silver fixtures including nosecap, grip cap, thumbplate, finialed guard and wedge escutcheons, and left sideplate. The grip has scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a crack forward of the lock screw. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Browned & Case Hardened

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark with scattered erosion. The six fouling grooves are well defined. Overall, the bore rates 4/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 0% of its metal finish. The surfaces have gone to a fairly uniform patina. The nose of the hammer has a loss in the cap-shield. There is infrequent minor erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches, most notable on the right of the barrel. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to disfigured with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Good-plus condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Henry Deringer has a somewhat unique place in firearms history. While many guns have been copied, not many names have come to represent a whole genre of firearms, with derringer now referring to nearly any small, short-barreled percussion or cartridge pistol. When he began producing pocket-size flintlock and, very soon, percussion pistols, Henry found an untapped market for his "Philadelphia Deringer". Deringer's own production was fairly limited, relative to the demand, though he also felt no need to patent his guns. They were simply using a normal percussion lock, with their size being their distinguishing quality. Soon, there were dozens of imitators. Some used their own brand name, some came up with creative misspellings of Deringer's name, and some even brazenly placed his name on their own products. These last stood a good chance of being sued by Mr. Deringer, with one case making it all the way to the Supreme Court. The pistols proved quite popular for personal defense, but also gained some notoriety after the use of one by John Booth in his assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

This example is one of the more honest copies, marked with the actual maker's name, R.P. Bruff of New York. The guns are quite similar to Henry Deringer's guns but did not use his name. The barrels were made and marked with cast steel, rather than the faux-damascus of Deringer and closer copies. This derringer will certainly interest collectors as one of the known contemporary copies. Please see our photos and good luck!