Original U.S. 'Southerner' .41cal. Rimfire Single Shot Derringer Pistol by Merimack Arms & Mfg. Co. - Matching Serial 374

Item DescriptionOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of one of several .41 caliber single shot pocket pistols, usually referred to as 'Derringers', after the legendary pocket pistols made in Philadelphia before the civil war. The National Arms company had made one of the early examples, which featured a rotating barrel based on a 1861 patent held by Daniel Moore. This company was later purchased by Colt, who continued production. However they were definitely not the only company that made pistols like this.Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Co. of Newburyport, Mass. patented their own design for a 'Derringer' in 1867 as a competitor to the National Arms pistol, and it was honestly a much better design. Instead of the rotating barrel, it instead pivoted to the side, with an ejector removing the spent cartridge. They marketed the pistol as the 'SOUTHERNER', intended to appeal to customers in the South, hoping to take advantage of markets farther from the large firearms industry in New England. They manufactured about 6,500 of these pistols between 1867 and 1869.In 1869, the company was reorganized as Brown Manufacturing Co., and they would go on to produce 10,000 more of the pistols between 1869 to 1873. Of note is that this design anticipated Colt's 'Thuer' model or 'New Model' Derringer, which was not released until 1875, five years after they purchased National Arms, and was based on a similar concept.This is one of the few examples that we have had that was made by the earlier Merimack Arms & Mfg. Co, not Brown Mfg. Co. The earlier Merimack pistols are quite difficult to find then compared to the more widely produced Brown examples. The pistol is very good condition, showing wear from service and cleaning, which has removed the bluing on the barrel, and also removed the plating from the frame, except for a bit under the grip scales. It really looks great, with a beautiful golden patina on the brass frame. There is just a bit of past peppering on the barrel, now removed. There is no sign of refinishing, just how we like to see them, and the barrel markings are still clear. The top of the barrel still bears a largeSOUTHERNERmarking on the top. The left side of the barrel still shows the Brown Manufacturing address and patent markings:MERIMACK ARMS & MF'G. Co.NEWBURYPORT. MASS.PAT. APR. 9. 1867.The pistol is marked with serial number374on the top of the frame under the barrel, which is still clear. This same number is stamped onto the bottom of the barrel, ejector, and on the inside ofBOTHgrip scales. That makes this a very nice'ALL MATCHING'example, with no parts swapped out over the years!The action opens and closes correctly when the button on the bottom of the frame is pressed, and the hammer must be in the half or full cock position for it to open. The ejector is present and fully functional, presenting correctly when the breech is opened. The bore is in very good condition, showing strong lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There are signs of past oxidation and fouling, now removed, but it is definitely better than what we typically see on these revolvers, which are often heavily worn. The grips look to be rosewood, and are in very good service used condition, showing a lovely color with exterior wear, but no major chips or cracking.A lovely concealable pocket pistol from the late 19th century, ready to display!Specifications:Years of Manufacture: 1867-1869Caliber: .41calAmmunition Type: Rimfire CartridgeBarrel Length: 2 3/8 inchesOverall Length: 4 3/4 inchesAction: Pivoting BarrelFeed System: Single ShotNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.Shipping RestrictionsThis product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New JerseyThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or AmazonLegal InformationIMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.These antique guns are not sold in 'live' condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as 'wall hangers' not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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