Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Derringer
open-in-new
<p>A derringer or deringer is a small <a href="/facts/Handgun/Vz25G3C4">handgun</a> that is neither a <a href="/facts/Revolver/Kxsr0fpq">revolver</a>, <a href="/facts/Semi-automatic_pistol/nlBHDhu2">semi-automatic pistol</a>, nor <a href="/facts/Machine_pistol/DAxH0Xs9">machine pistol</a>. It is not to be confused with mini-revolvers or <a href="/facts/Pocket_pistol/qdC6SL0L">pocket pistols</a>, although some later derringers were manufactured with the <a href="/facts/Pepperbox/PmoxMjas">pepperbox</a> configuration. The modern derringer is often <a href="/facts/Multiple-barrel_firearm/2kwqUGeo">multi barreled</a>, and is generally the smallest usable handgun of any given <a href="/facts/Caliber/q4hhaID2">caliber</a> and <a href="/facts/Gun_barrel/bPyBmQek">barrel</a> length due to the lack of a moving <a href="/facts/Action_(firearms)/R2APeqab">action</a>, which takes up more space behind the barrel. It is frequently used by women because it is easily <a href="/facts/Concealed_carry/h6hkNTeV">concealable</a> in a <a href="/facts/Handbag/xE6T441X">purse</a> or a <a href="/facts/Stocking/53cpRTU6">stocking</a>. </p><p>The original Philadelphia Deringer was a <a href="/facts/Muzzleloader/RpJPVv78">muzzleloading</a> <a href="/facts/Caplock/kvj5E8ac">caplock</a> <a href="/facts/Single-shot/sbk1Pdjo">single-shot</a> <a href="/facts/Pistol/pQgRhGBM">pistol</a> introduced in 1825 by <a href="/facts/Henry_Deringer/u1oBzqVv">Henry Deringer</a>. In total, approximately 15,000 Deringer pistols were manufactured. All were single-barrel pistols with back-action <a href="/facts/Percussion_lock/kvj5E8ac">percussion locks</a>, typically <a href="/facts/.41_caliber/lDRNMAjh">.41 caliber</a> with <a href="/facts/Rifling/63UWYEdX">rifled</a> bores and walnut <a href="/facts/Stock_(firearms)/PgD8ochN">stocks</a>. Barrel length varied from 1.5 to 6 in (38 to 152 mm), and the hardware was commonly a <a href="/facts/Copper-nickel/KE4WSdu3">copper-nickel</a> alloy known as "<a href="/facts/German_silver/mXMKcugp">German silver</a>". </p>