Less than a half-dozen extant. Could also be by Andrew Wurfflein, Philadelphia
Unmarked percussion derringer with German silver stock… 1.5-inch tear-drop barrel. No finish remains on the barrel. Believed to be the work of James E. Evans (1850-1872), this Derringer is one of only three in this configuration believed to exist. Fixed sights, with scroll engraving on the tang, breech plug, barrel, lock and hammer, a scrolled floral design on the tang and lock plate screws and a burst design on the hammer screw; scroll designs are present on the stock, which is constructed from two pieces of solid cast silver, ahead of the trigger guard, opposite the lock plate and behind the tang, with a checkered bird’s head butt.
Evans made derringers are scarce, examples are prized by collectors specializing in diminutive pocket pistols. There is little “Evans” biographical information; Philadelphia newspapers of the period published Evans’s advertisements. See Frank Sellers seminal work American Gunsmiths where he lists Evans as working in Philadelphia from 1845 to 1867 with his operation located at 25 North Street in 1850, at 86 South Street in 1855 and 230 South Street from 1860-1865.
Measurement: Overall length: 4.5"; barrel length: 2", .41-caliber
Material: German silver frame and trigger guard
Reference: The mate to this derringer is one sold from the Stagecoach Collection by Rock Island Auction in 2008.
Price: $3,950
SKU 308-588
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.
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