September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
.50 bore with a 3" barrel. One of the most recognizable and historic pistols as it pertains to the history of the United States is the Henry Deringer single shot large bore pocket pistol, most recognized by historians as the weapon used to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. The top of the barrel is stamped "Deringer Philadelphia". It has an octagon barrel with a German silver front sight, two silver bands, and the letter "P" on the left barrel flat. The tang is engraved and has a small fixed rear sight. The sideplate is engraved and stamped "Deringer Philadelphia". Hammer is engraved. Has an engraved brass trigger guard, along with engraved brass escutcheons. Checkered walnut stock that has an inlayed engraved silver shield and butt decoration. All metal surfaces are basically a dark grey gun metal patina with some light freckling. The rifled bore is excellent with usual abrasions. Stock and checkering are near mint with a 1/2" closed hairline grain separation only visible through magnification. There is an engraved brass escutcheon on the left side of the stock as well. This is one of the finer condition 1840-50s large bore pocket Deringers this writer has seen. This is the exact weapon used to end the life of Abraham Lincoln making him the last major casualty of the Civil War. This is one of, if not the, most recognized weapons in the American history.