The Henry Derringer was widely copied, much to the frustration and legal opposition of Henry Derringer himself.  R. P. Bruff of NY made / sold an excellent copy, of the same quality. This Derringer has a 2 inch barrel, and is of .41 caliber. All the brass engraved furniture is all original, and still has sharp engraving.  The wood stock is of Burl Walnut and has excellent fire and color in the wood grain pattern. It is 100% mechanically correct.

A compact form of self defense, with a power packing caliber of .41

Richard Palmer Bruff: Owner of Bruff Bros., Gillespie & Seaver Hardware NY. Later, after Civil War, Russell & Erwin Mfg. Co. His son Wm. J. was President of Remington Arms-UMCC. PRICE $1,150

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.

The brass furniture shape around the key (wedge) hole identifies this as a Bruff, scheduled for sale in the J.P. Lower store in Denver CO.  after 1871.

The checkering on the grip area remains strong and crisp. The gold bands on the barrel are present and the barrel has a gray patina 

Forehand & Wadsworth was a known manufacturer of quality firearms, BUT in the Pocket Size revolvers. By the Mid 1870's the demand for large frame frontier revolvers was reaching a zenith, driven by the American Western Frontier.  F&W went to the drawing board and introduced a Large Frame Frontier revolver, the "Old Model" Army .44. In fact it was good enough to receive a Test by The Army Ordnance Board in 1875. ( an image of one can be seen at the bottom of this page) By 1877, and listening to the pros and cons of the Old Model, once again they went to the drawing board, and introduced a completely new design, the "NEW MODEL ARMY" .44. For reasons unknown, they ONLY made about 800 of them, so they are INCREDIBLY SCARCE & RARE! Additionally. most were in nickel finish, quoting Flayderman, "Blue is worth a premium" This New Model .44, Serial No.6X is a remarkable specimen based on availability. It has about 60% of the original factory blue finish, and most all case color on the hammer is still visible.  ALL factory applied markings are present and clear, barrel address etc... Serial Number. ALL parts are original to the revolver, and ALL the working actions function perfectly. The Walnut grips show only light hand ware, and are free from damage, even the Lanyard Ring is present.

 This is an incredibly scarce Frontier Revolver, and this one is an outstanding specimen. The virtues of this revolver were clearly detailed in the May 1877, Field & Stream  Magazine, as shown in ad copy to the right.  PRICE $4,250

This is a splendid Pocket Pistol from about 1872, and in 99.99% original factory condition. All the nickel plating is present, and there are strong case colors on the hammer and spur trigger. The Engraving is sharp, well defined, and shows no wear. The .32RF is further enhanced with original Ivory grips. Unfortunately there is a sliver ,missing on the left grip, the other grip is perfect ! ALL parts are original to the Favorite, and ALL factory applied markings are clear and present, to include Favorite No.2 on the top strap. Mechanically this No.2 Favorite works 100% correctly on ALL phases of the working actions.

When I wrote the article entitled, "The Truth & The Myth" many years ago for Gun Report, I stated more Frontiers men were shot at three feet across a card table with pistols like this, than all the big 44 & 45 gun battles in the streets of Old West.

PRICE $825

This is an early 1871 Model from Hopkins & Allen, and still has the round sided frame, and octagonal barrel, of three inches. It is a Single Action, in .38 rim fire caliber, 5 shot. Serial No. 26XU has all its original factory markings, and is all original parts. The Ivory grips are original to the H&A, and have a perfect patina only 140 years of age can create. Mechanically, it is totally perfect on ALL the working actions. Currently, it has about 60% of the original factory nickel plating, the balance is a matching light gray patina. The MOST IMPORTANT fact of this XL No.4 is the fact it was in Utah Territory in 1873 with E. R. Adae and so inscribed on back strap.

  Salt Lake City, June 1873 PRICE $1,550

During the 1870's there was a popular demand for big frame Frontier revolvers. "Old School" companies like S&W and Colt were enjoying phenomenal sales. Forehand & Wadsworth was also an old school company , BUT had restricted their manufacturing to smaller Pocket Pistols. They rethought their position, and went to the drawing board, and introduced their FIRST large frame .44 caliber Frontier Revolver. This is it, called the "Old Model " Army because F&W redesigned this model and introduced it a little later, a.k.a New Model Army. Serial No.75X is the Old Model Army, and was limited in production to slightly LESS than 1,000 pieces. So, they are very scarce ! and a complete and correct model is infinitely scarcer. They found favor on the Frontier and with the demand for big frames generated by the growth on the western frontier. This Old Model .44  had a blue finish, a bit scarcer as nickel was dominant. Today it has maybe 15%+, in flutes and protected areas. The balance is a "plum: color patina  (correct for blued specimens), smooth metal and sharp edges. ALL factory applied markings are present and clear. ALL parts are original, and it is mechanically perfect, It loads, cocks, indexes, rotates and locks tight, then releases for firing. The Walnut grips are near perfect, with remaining varnish. This Model is seldom encountered due to low production numbers, and comparing this Old Army to it's peers, is an outstandingly fine specimen. A RARE and different 1870's Frontier Revolver. PRICE $3,850

This exact same Model , with Serial No. 10 was forwarded to the U.S. Ordnance Board for Testing against Colt, and S&W. The F&W faired very well, and had the best blue finish tested for durability.