American Firearms 2

Here we have a Henry Deringer , .42 Caliber with @ a 2 inch barrel. Manufactured for a California Dealer, who was a strong sales outlet for Deringer. Also, according to the Silver Pineapple Finial, which is used to date production, making this an 1848 production, just in time for the Gold Rush of 1849. A.J. Plate was a major dealer !! in San Francisco, selling many weapons to  the public in San Francisco, and getting much bigger when thousands more arrived for the Gold Strike at Sutters Mill and the American River. This Deringer is in excellent condition, the wood has a antique luster and is damage free. The Silver Furniture is clean and not damaged, with Strong Engraving present It is also 100% mechanically correct.  The top of the barrel is marked Made for A J Plate San Francisco. Undoubtedly it once was hidden in a watch pocket or fancy purse, and probably saw many a card table !! and the Excitement of the Gold Rush.

One of the scarcest, if not the scarcest, Frontier Revolver of the 1870’s is the Forehand & Wadsworth Single Action .44 revolver. It’s virtues were extolled in the Field & Stream May 1877 Issue. It describes its sureness of fire and quality of construction. From the end of the Civil War the Westward movement created a demand for large bore hand guns of unparalleled size. Every company was rushing to fill this demand. Colt, S&W, Remington and Merwin, Hulbert. Prior to this F&W was a major manufacturer of Smaller belt and Pocket pistols. They made a decision to try and achieve their slice of the big pie, and introduced their Army Models in .44 cal. The Old Model Army had an initial success. In fact Serial No. 10 & 11 were submitted to the Ordnance Testing Board and were tested in 1875, along with the Schofield and Colt. It faired very well, but they felt the ejection system was too delicate for rugged Army use, so not accepted. Only about 500 -700 were manufactured and sold commercially. It seems F&W “hedged their bet” on its acceptance, and did not want a loss situation. Bearing in mind a few negative remarks, they went back to the drawing board and in 1876 introduced the new and improved 2nd Model Army .44, which is what you see here ! But once again caution seized their boldness and only about 600 were made and sold commercially . If you can find one ??? usually they are in altered or near relic state. NOT the case with this one. This New Model Army .44 is Serial No. 5X, very early in the production. It has about 95% original ! factory nickel plating, with the exception of the cylinder which has only a few patches left. The cylinder took all the wear going in & out of the Slim Jim Holster. This is an ultra fine example of a scarce and ultra rare Frontier USED revolver. It’s mechanics are 100% correct, no problems. ALL parts are original, and ALL applied factory markings are present. The Walnut grips show handling use but are not damaged, and the original Lanyard ring is still present, as well as numbered to the F&W revolver. I have seen old Cabinet Cards Photographs with this Model carried by Cowboys. This New Army .44 was discovered and came out of Texas. To the collector: a very rare and difficult Frontier Revolver to find in this superb condition, and with original holster. VERY suitable for the collector of Frontier Arms.

In the late 1870’s Hopkins & Allen entered the existing Military and Police nomenclature revolver market. Prior to that, they were well known for high quality “Pocket Revolvers”, Blue Jackets, etc… They introduced three lines, the XL No.8 Large Frame for the .44, The XL Navy in .38, and the ONLY round butt model, the XL Police in .38RF. the Police represented only a FEW hundred manufactured, the others were just as limited in production. This XL Police, Serial No. 141X is an excellent example. Most encountered today are thoroughly worn out. This 4-1/2 inch barrel, Single Action has the rounded butt, and the unusual “hump back” small hammer. It has about 90% of the original factory nickel plate, however has gray spotting “freckling on the surface. Mechanically this Police is 100% correct in ALL its working actions. There are obvious case colors still on the hammer and faded blue on the trigger. The grips show normal hand wear, no damage and have fine antique luster. ALL parts are original , and ALL factory applied markings are CLEAR and present.