They say imitation is the most sincere from of flattery, not so ! with Henry Derringer of Philadelphia. Henry Derringer originated the Derringer, Single Shot as we know it, however, many began to simply copy. Until his dying day Henry Derringer fought his battles in court, not always successfully. R .P. Bruff, NY made /sold identical Derringers from 1858 - 1878. They sold very well, and toward the end, when once Derringer employee, J.P. Lower moved west to Denver in late 1871, he sold them from his store in Denver. This is a R. P. Bruff derringer, sold by J.P. Lower. It has a distinguishing characteristic, the shape of the key (wedge) hole brass furniture.

This was a powerful Derringer, .50 cal. REAL stopping power. All the brass furniture is all original, and not cleaned, still having sharp engraving patterns. The stock is beautiful Burl Walnut pattern, full of the variants in striping and color. Free of any damage, and represents the Single Shot derringer of the period very well.

In 1957, Harry C. Knode gave a presentation to the American Society of Arms Collectors, at the Memphis Meeting. Stating Bruff was a dealer, not a manufacturer, and that it is more than likely the Deringers were made by Danielle O'Connor, a.k.a. Murphy & O'Connell, NY as he advertised perfect copies of the Henry Derringer.

PRICE $1,250

This .50 has a 2-3/4 inch barrel.

Richard Palmer Bruff: Owner of Bruff Bros. & Seaver Hardware NY. Later, after Civil War, Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co. His son Wm. J. was President of Remington Arms-UMCC.

In the mid 1870's the demand for large frame frontier revolvers was at it's zenith. All the major manufacturers were making them, and Forehand & Wadsworth did not want to be left out. Primarily a maker of "pocket" size revolvers they designed and made their first large caliber big frame, and this is it. Introduced in the mid 1870's in a quantity of LESS than 1,000 revolvers. They are hardly never encountered by the collector today, and when found, most are in derelict condition. This example, Serial No. 124X is one of "THE" very finest. It has 99.999% of all the original factory applied nickel plate. It has softened, ( not bright and shiny) and been UNTOUCHED, and remains all original. ALL factory applied markings, such as barrel address, serial numbers etc.. are present and vividly clear. Mechanically it is in PERFECT working order, in ALL phases of working operation. It is really enhanced by the presence of ORIGINAL Mother of Pearl Grips. The grips have the vibrant colors only natural age of 135 years plus can create. The frame is marked with a California Bear stamped on it, which recently has been discovered as a "trade marking" used by a selling dealer in the old San Francisco area of 1870's California. The mark was used by Vellegia & Slotterbeck  Arms, a dealer in firearms, and high grade shotguns.

If you are a collector of F&W's, or a collector of Frontier Revolvers from the old west expansion era, this is a rare chance for the 1st Model, a.k.a. "old Model" army to collected. In nickel, you would be hard pressed to find a better example! PRICE $5,950

This Forehand & Wadsworth "Old Model" Army comes with it's original holster.

Call Card not included/ display only.

During the last half of the 19th century, all commerce moved by the Express Companies. The biggest were Wells, Fargo & Co., Adams Express, and American Express. Their wagons, stage coaches, and train cars crossed America east & west. ALL of them, including American Express had heavily armed agents to protect "the goods". None were more ferocious than a shotgun with short barrels, particularly in 10 gauge. This Woodhill 10 GA was the property of American Express. Guaranteed it spent a lifetime either in a Railway car, or on top the stagecoach. As shown in all the Western, the Express company was the target of all gunmen/robbers. Why ? they had the money and valuables, sometimes MANY thousands of dollars. A mans entire lifetime of wages in one robbery!! the stock is marked AM. XX. CO. 14 . I guarantee the authenticity of this Shotgun, it has also appeared in some antique arms magazines in the 1980's.  PRICE $ 2,500

Allow me a moment for a significant story. A would be stage robber in old California said " why looking down the barrels of that shotgun in the hands of the agent, made the Sutro Tunnel, look like a nail hole in the Palace Hotel "

There were even really hard case Express Co. guards who would drop a few dimes down the barrel....imagine that discharge !

This little gem from Hood Firearms is just about 100% of the original factory condition. F. Hood, who ran a small pistol factory in New York, had many other enterprises, and was at one time, one of America's wealthiest men. This Wide Awake, Serial No. 1720, a 5 shot, .32 Rim Fire, has a 2-3/4 inch barrel, and is fitted with Walnut grips. Mechanically, it is 100% on ALL the working actions. During the 2nd half of the 19th century everybody went armed, the city streets were dangerous, as well as traveling on the frontier. One could defend themselves adequately. Do NOT be fooled these small .32 RF's were lethal !

PRICE $ 450

TOP OF BARRELMARKED:    WIDE AWAKE

This Ranger No.2, .32 rim fire is in 100% condition ! The original factory nickel has just began to be quiet, and lose the bright shine, which is good !  no one has touched the Ranger ! ALL the factory jewelers enamel is still in the highlighted engravers cuts. It is further elevated by a pair of the original high polished  bone grips. Serial No.606X is in 100% mechanical working order, all phases of operation. ALL factory applied markings are present, and ALL parts ARE ORIGINAL.

This is a fine example of a Ranger No.2 from Hopkins & Allen, in .32 rim fire. It gives one a feel for what was really being carried in the mid 1870's in pockets and purses, for self defense, or the last ditch shot ! In an issue of Gun Report, about 2 -3 years ago, appeared an excellent  article, " The Myth an the Truth" dealing about these Pocket Pistols. Namely their high quality, and reliability and their knock down power, don't scoff about a .32 rim fire !

PRICE $ 750

Francis Hood was one of the wealthiest men in America, during the last half of the 1800's following the Civil War. One of the operations of his vast empire, was Hood Firearms Company, located in New York. They produced a variety of inexpensive Pocket Pistols, with a variety of Trade Names. The quality was very good, and they were very competitive in the market place of great demand. The Hard Pan 2, is one of them, and this Hard Pan 2 is Serial No. 887X. It has the 2-3/4 inch round barrel, and walnut grips. The finish is about 98% original nickel plating, and is decorated with an unusual " Star Burst " style of engraving. It is further decorated with three knurled rings around the cylinder. The hammer and trigger have their darkened case colors, and ALL mechanical functions operate perfectly! A unique pocket pistol. PRICE $400