[Bbasso]

It was my grandfather's and been in the family for a really long time. Other then fitting a .22lr I have no info. Can anyone ID it and maybe place a value on it?

One last question, think it's safe to shoot?

 

[cubrock]

Any markings on it at all? Even under the stocks?

 

[Bbasso]

On the bottom of the barrel it has "374"

Nothing else, just those three numbers

 

[Bbasso]

Thank you

 

[Cowboysfan]

Cool little gun hope you find the history of it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cubrock]

This style pistol was manufactured by myriad makers in the 1800s. Some are marked. Most are not. Unmarked ones that can't be attributed by styling to one of the known makers are typically in the $50-$100 range, sometimes a touch more. Collector interest in them is quite low.

I would not shoot it. You would probably be okay with .22 Shorts, but why risk it? If nothing else, you could wind up with a broken spring which couldn't be replaced without making a custom part.

 

[Bbasso]

Very interesting, thank you.
So one to keep in the safe...

 

[Bailey Boat]

Colt used to make a cased pair of those called "Lady and Lord Derringer". Whether yours is earlier or later I have no idea. Value was never that great but they were cute to look at.....

 

[Chdamn]

Colt used to make a cased pair of those called "Lady and Lord Derringer". Whether yours is earlier or later I have no idea. Value was never that great but they were cute to look at.....

I was trying to think of the name of what they were called. It was right on the tip of my tongue. Thanks.

IIRC, these were popular among gamblers in the old west too.

Now that I have the name Here's a link to a pair for sale with the box. http://www.armslist.com/posts/21075...sts/2107564/birmingham-alabama-handguns-for-sale--colt-lord---lady-deringer-set

It looks like yours is the Lord version. The Lady of the set typically had a white, sometimes ivory handle.

It's probably only rated for 22 short. I think you'd be ok to test fire it with a 22 short. Not a whole lot of pressure there.

 

[cubrock]

Colt used to make a cased pair of those called "Lady and Lord Derringer". Whether yours is earlier or later I have no idea. Value was never that great but they were cute to look at.....

If I recall correctly, they did those in the 1960s. The OP's gun is likely from 1800s, given the styling and material.

 

[Chdamn]

Upon further research, you may have a Hopkins and Allen Vest Pocket Derringer.

Look here. the picture is darn near identical to what you have. http://www.gunsinternational.com/Ho...tional.com/Hopkins-Allen-Vest-Pocket-Single-Shot-Derringer.cfm?gun_id=100381168

 

[shadowsbane]

might only be rated for 22 caps. There were lots of 22 rimfire rounds that have gone to the wayside.

 

[Chdamn]

 

[Chdamn]

Damn there's a lot of manufacturers of these. This Keno looks closer due to the material difference between the barrel and receiver. http://www.gunsinternational.com/eno-Derringer-22-AH3388-.cfm?gun_id=100357509

 

[Chdamn]

Annnnnnd here's one by E Allen & Co. Look at the section where the barrel goes from angular to round. http://www.gunsinternational.com/E-Allen-Co-22-RF.cfm?gun_id=100349692 There's a band there. It's hard to see in your photo but it looks similar to this one. The handle is shaped more like yours on this one as well and the colors match. Also note the size and length of the small piece on the barrel the mates into the receiver. This one looks closer to yours as well.

 

[cubrock]

There were dozens, if not hundreds, of manufacturers of these, with a lot of design copying going on. Makes figuring out unmarked pieces a real challenge 100+ years later.

 

[ronn47]

Don't shoot it
These were made to shoot Black Powder 22 Short rimfire rounds
The BP rounds were much lower powerwise than current 22 Short rounds

 

[Bbasso]

Omg... so it's worth a min of a few hundred dollars?
Impressive.
Say I wanted to shoot it, where can I find the proper ammo for it?

Again, thank you for all the help on this.

 

[JamesLFlowers]

Try Old West Scrounger. They have low volume runs of custom ammo made especially for OLDER firearms and odd calibers like 38 Rimfire and all.

 

[cubrock]

Omg... so it's worth a min of a few hundred dollars?
Impressive.
Say I wanted to shoot it, where can I find the proper ammo for it?

Again, thank you for all the help on this.

If you can nail down the manufacturer, then it might be. If you can't and you actually wanted money to change hands, don't be surprised if you can't get that for it.