December 17, 2026 The Estate Of Whitefoord Cole II: Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Lot #1028:
(A) EXQUISITE GOLD AND SILVER MOUNTED DERRINGER PISTOL MADE BY EARLY AFRICAN AMERICAN GUNSMITH, J.M. JONES.
James Monroe Jones, born into a North Carolina slave family, was a graduate of Oberlin College and was one of very few Antebellum African American gunsmiths. Jones’ quality and artistry is much higher than most Antebellum Deringer makers, including Henry Deringer. He worked in London, Ohio in the mid-19th century but finished his career near Toronto, Canada. The workmanship on this pistol is almost beyond belief. The mounts including trigger guard, escutcheons, forearm tip, sideplate, bolster plate and buttcap are all silver and profusely engraved with intricate scroll and floral motifs. The front sight has a dovetailed base with slotted German silver blade. The steel lockplate, hammer, breech and even screw heads are also profusely engraved. The hammer terminates in the head of a sea serpent. There is a platinum plug in the bolster. There are two gold bands on the breech block. Between the two gold bands is a finely engraved dogs head with engraved geometric edging, framing gold bands. The thumb plate is gold and shield shaped. The barrel shows Damascus striping and original brown finish. “JM Jones” is engraved on the top of the barrel. Only a handful of guns by this maker are known and this is an exemplary specimen of his work. CONDITION: Very fine overall. Metal overall is grey/plum with areas of staining and pinpricking. Stock retains most of its original varnish with minor scattered dings, dents and scratches. A small crack runs from the tang to the lockplate. Gun is original, complete and matching with exception of missing barrel key which is easily replaced. Crisp rifling in bore. Fine mechanics.