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Author Topic: Henry Derringer Signature?  (Read 4106 times)

Offline Shreckmeister

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Henry Derringer Signature?
« on: February 07, 2011, 05:06:48 PM »
Below is a drawing of the remainder of a signature on a rifle.  
It appear the maker put dots in the loop of the capital D that
starts the name and dots in the other loops which I think might
be E's.  I've drawn it along with the muzzle markings on a 7
rifling barrel  of 40 cal.  It looks to me like it might be the
remnants of a Derringer signature.  Your thoughts appreciated!

« Last Edit: February 07, 2011, 05:07:07 PM by suzkat »
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline jdm

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Re: Henry Derringer Signature?
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2011, 01:01:57 AM »

   I don"t remember ever seeing a Henry Deringer signature on a pistol or rifle.  The name was always stamped on the barrel. That doesn't mean he didn't sign any though.  If he did I would think they were his early or best rifles.
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Sean

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Re: Henry Derringer Signature?
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2011, 08:25:06 AM »
While I've seen a couple that were unmarked altogether, I've never seen a Deringer marked in script.  He made a lot of them, though and I've only maybe seen 30.  The rifle this signature is on also does not fit Deringer architecture for the period.  His 1800-1825 work showed a lot of variability that was likely related to hiring journeymen from different areas in eastern PA, but by the late 30's or so his shop was starting to turn out a pretty regular product in terms of architecture.  There are more Deringers in Jim Gordon's books than published about anywhere. 

Sean
« Last Edit: February 08, 2011, 08:34:47 AM by Sean »
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Sean

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Re: Henry Derringer Signature?
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2011, 03:45:07 PM »
I believe the patchbox on your gun was a commercial item made by Tryon. There are 5 similar boxes on Tryon rifles in Gordon's book. It would not surprise me if it their mark was inside the box. Tryon made and sold hardware to gunsmiths all over the country. It's not a Tryon-made gun. I'd put my $$ on what Whisker said.

Sean
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Henry Derringer Signature?
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2011, 08:46:36 PM »
This signature is really perplexing.  Other than the D, the only letter that
looks complete seems to be an R.  I have read that Dunmyer was a morphed spelling of Dormeyer and I'm wondering if that's what it says.
It appears like someone intentionally tried to remove the signature and
then applied 3 stars over top of the signature.  I just can't make anything out of it even under a jewelers loop.  Dr. Whisker seems pretty confident
that it's a Dunmyer and with as many rifles as he has seen from that area,
no one would know better. 
   I'd like to see a photo of those Tryon patchboxes, because I've never
seen them.
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Henry Derringer Signature?
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2011, 11:34:36 PM »
Quote from: Sean on February 08, 2011, 03:45:07 PM
I believe the patchbox on your gun was a commercial item made by Tryon. There are 5 similar boxes on Tryon rifles in Gordon's book. It would not surprise me if it their mark was inside the box. Tryon made and sold hardware to gunsmiths all over the country. It's not a Tryon-made gun. I'd put my $$ on what Whisker said.

Sean

    I pulled images of Tryon rifles and most were toilet bowl patchboxes. The only full patchbox I saw had the pineapple, but nothing else about it
reminded me of the rifle.  What is this Gordon book's title?
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Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Sean

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Re: Henry Derringer Signature?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2011, 09:35:23 AM »
I'll try to scan a couple of the Tryons and pm you with them. Might take me a bit.

Here's a link to Gordon's 3 volume set:

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=23334

Sean
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