Model 1910 Mexican Mauser
(Source: empirearms.com)
The Philadelphia Derringer,
In 1806 a gunsmith named Henry Deringer settled in Philadelphia where he made a living producing military muskets for the US Army. In 1825 he invented a small large caliber pistol (around .45 - .50 caliber) that was small enough to be carried in a pocket. The Philadelphia Derringer (somehow another “R” was added to the name) became a big hit for its size and concealability. It was especially a popular weapon for gamblers, who could produce the small pistol at a moments notice in case of a poker game gone bad. Early versions were flintlock but most were made with the more reliable percussionlock system.
Eventually the Philadelphia Derringer became so popular that hundreds of small gunsmiths, workshops, and factories all over the United States produced copies. In the US they became the most popular pocket pistol. In Europe they were less popular as boxlock and muff pistols dominated the European market. Eventually the word “derringer” became a colloquialism for any small pocket pistol. I often hear people today use the term to describe modern subcompact automatic pistols. While the Philadelphia Derringer’s legacy is of scoundrels, riverboat gamblers, and thieves, it also has the stigma of being the pistol of assassins. On April 14th 1865 the notorious Confederate John Wilkes Booth mortally wounded President Abraham Lincoln with a point blank shot to the head. Booth’s weapon of choice was a Philadelphia Derringer. Booth’s derringer (pictured above) is currently on display at the Ford’s Theater Museum.
(Source: fbi.gov)
Indian Katar with dual flintlock pistols.
(Source: rockislandauction.com)
Pair of engraved and gold decorated French double barrel flintlock pistols, 19th Century.
(Source: cowanauctions.com)
Finely Engraved Gold Inlaid European Folding Trigger Double Action Revolver with Rare Black Pearl Grips.
(Source: icollector.com)
Deluxe Factory Panel Scene Engraved Winchester Model 1887 Lever-Action Shotgun, one of only five produced.
Estimated Value: $35,000 - $55,000
(Source: rockislandauction.com)
19th Century Vietnamese Flintlock Musket.
This thing sold for a bargain! Winning bid was $238!!! Why wasn’t I there to bid!!!!
(Source: auctionflex.com)
Exhibition grade factory engraved Robbins and Lawrence pepperbox pistol. Also includes ivory grips.
Estimated Value: $20,000 - $30,000
(Source: rockislandauction.com)
Single shot breech loading carbine made by the firm Gastinne Renette for Emperor Napoleon III, 1870.
Sold At Auction: $19,000
18th century Russian sword/flintlock pistol with ivory handle and gold fittings.
(Source: tsarsarsenal.com)
Engraved Colt Cloverleaf revolver with mother of pearl grips. Named the cloverleaf because it used a four shot cylinder that looked like a clover.
Estimated Value: $7,500 - $10,000
(Source: rockislandauction.com)
16th or 17th century Tibetan matchlock musket with bipod rest.
(Source: vikingsword.com)
The most ridiculous/useless pistol I have ever seen.
A form of volley gun called the duckfoot pistol, this pistol has multiple barrels that fire simultaneously. However, most duckfoot pistols have multiple barrels which point in a horizontal direction, this weird pistol has two barrels which point in an upward angle, and one barrel which points in a downward angle. Regular duckfoot pistols are very questionable in practicality, as it is hard to aim at multiple people at a time. The legend is that they were a favorite of sailors who could indiscriminately fire volleys on a crowed deck, or ship captains in case of being mobbed by a mutinous crew. However, this takes the cake for impracticality. But hey, you never know when you could be attacked by three bad guys, two standing side by side three feet apart and five feet above the ground, while the third stands in between and directly below them. Yeah, makes perfect sense.
(Source: gunthorp.com)
The Most Powerful Handgun of the Victorian World —- The .577 Webley Boxer,
Produced in limited amounts during the 1870’s, the Webley Boxer was not actually a Webley. Rather it was a design of William Tranter which Webley manufactured under license. A double action six shot revolver, its most noticeable feature was the larger than normal frame and cylinder. The reason why the revolver was so large was to accommodate its huge .577 Boxer cartridge. At the time is was considered the most powerful handgun in the world, only to be later outdone by the .600 Gilon. Very few were made and for the most part they were sold as a novelty item.
Plus a lot of history too.
