Unknown Derringer Help - The Firearms Forum

heringja · 06-13-2012, 04:15 PM

Hello all
I was given a small single shot derringer pistol. I believe it is .22 cal.
It is similar to a

FOREHAND & WADSWORTH SINGLE SHOT DERINGER - .22 "muff gun"
Eclipse single shot derringer
Iver Johnston pistol

but none of the markings or dates match my gun. Any help.
thanks
Jim

hrf · 06-13-2012, 04:35 PM

Welcome to the forum.

The markings are Liege, Belgium proofmarks, and the 1900 may be the year made, as the crown at top of ELG in oval indicates at least after 1892.

A near copy of Iver Johnson's "Eclipse" - the Belgians copied just about every gun made.

It's badly pitted and has been abrasively cleaned, destroying much of the collector value.

RJay · 06-13-2012, 05:08 PM

And I bet-cha the fact that it is a Belgium made gun, that is the reason the markings don't match up with any known American gun

Just pulling your chain heringja, welcome to the forum.Very good pictures by the way, It made identification easy

06-13-2012, 04:15 PM	#1
heringja Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1	Unknown Derringer Help Hello all I was given a small single shot derringer pistol. I believe it is .22 cal. It is similar to a FOREHAND & WADSWORTH SINGLE SHOT DERINGER - .22 "muff gun" Eclipse single shot derringer Iver Johnston pistol but none of the markings or dates match my gun. Any help. thanks Jim Attached Images -->

06-13-2012, 04:35 PM	#2
hrf Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,283	Re: Unknown Derringer Help Welcome to the forum. The markings are Liege, Belgium proofmarks, and the 1900 may be the year made, as the crown at top of ELG in oval indicates at least after 1892. A near copy of Iver Johnson's "Eclipse" - the Belgians copied just about every gun made. It's badly pitted and has been abrasively cleaned, destroying much of the collector value. Last edited by hrf; 06-13-2012 at 04:39 PM..

06-13-2012, 05:08 PM	#3
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Unknown Derringer Help And I bet-cha the fact that it is a Belgium made gun, that is the reason the markings don't match up with any known American gun Just pulling your chain heringja, welcome to the forum.Very good pictures by the way, It made identification easy __________________ RonJames Last edited by RJay; 06-13-2012 at 08:14 PM..