Make: Slotter & Co. for R. Liddle & Co.

Model: Pocket Pistol, Deringer copy

Serial Number: None.

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1863-1869

Caliber: .41

Action Type: Single Shot Percussion Pistol

Barrel Length: 2 1/2"

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 silvered nosepiece, wedge escutcheons, sideplate, thumbplate, and german silver grip cap with steel trapdoor over a patchbox. The nosepiece has a small loss at the rear of its tail. There is a crack at the rear lock screw and another between the barrel tang and lock. The grip has scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grip is in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Bright, Case Hardened, Gold and Silver Motif

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with scattered erosion. The rifling is well defined. Overall, the bore rates 6+/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 25% of its metal finish. The majority of the finish is silver plate on fixtures, showing some dark discoloration. The gold band around the rear of the barrel is strong. The hammer appears to have been cracked or broken and repaired. There is some scattered light erosion. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good 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 famous copies. Formed by former Henry Deringer employees including Henry Schlotterbeck and his brother Frederick, the firm Slotter & Co. was formed with the express purpose of producing copies of Henry's Philadelphia Deringer. They went so far as to partner with A.J. Plate, an authorized sales agent for Deringer, to market their guns. The firm not only copied the design and aesthetic, but actually reproduced Henry Deringer's markings. While there was no trademark, the Supreme Court found that they were impersonating Henry Deringer, granting him an award significantly less than he asked. This derringer was made by Slotter & Co, but is marked with their own name, indicating it was produced after the court case. It was sold by San Francisco retailer R. Liddle & Co., and is so marked on the barrel. It will certainly interest collectors as among the most famous of the contemporary copies. Please see our photos and good luck!