Less than 10,000 of these David Williamson patent pistols were manufactured by Moore's Patent Fire Arms Company and the National Fire Arms Company in the late 1860s. The vast majority of the relatively few surviving examples are generally in fairly poor condition whereas this example is in exceptionally fine condition. They were produced in a variety of finishes and combinations including a select few in this extremely high end configuration. Gold finish is noted as a rare feature. It has a blued barrel with a blade front sight, arrow pattern engraved on top, fine traditional scrollwork engraving on the sides, burst patterns at the breech, "WILLIAMSON'S PAT. OCT. 2. 1866. NEW YORK" on the left, and the serial number on the bottom right near the muzzle. The gold plated brass frame has the serial number on top under the barrel, burst pattern engraving at the front, traditional punch dot backed scrollwork on most of the balance, and some additional accents. The gold plated brass trigger guard is engraved en-suite. The hammer spur is knurled and has a groove that serves as the rear sight.
Exceptionally fine with 85% plus original bright blue finish and gold plating, dark original case colors on the hammer, crisp engraving and markings, minimal age related wear, attractive natural patina forming on the stock which has crisp engraving and an insignificant age crack in the toe, and minor handling marks. This is easily one of the most attractive Williamson Derringers we have offered and is certain to enhance any collection of American derringers and antique firearms.
There are currently no customer product questions on this lot