Marston Three-Barrel Derringer

W.W. Marston · Pistol · Discontinued · 1858

Also known as: W.W. Marston Three-Barrel Pistol, Marston Superposed Derringer

Overview

The Marston Three-Barrel Derringer is a single-action pocket pistol designed and built by William W. Marston of New York City beginning in the late 1850s. It uses three superposed (vertically stacked) fixed barrels fired in sequence by a ratcheting firing-pin selector mounted on the hammer, and the .22 rimfire versions characteristically carried a sliding knife blade alongside the barrels. An improved .32 rimfire model with a cartridge extractor was introduced from 1864.

Specifications

Barrel Length	79 mm (3.11")
Action Type	Single Action
Firing Mechanism	Hammer Fired
Trigger Type	Single Action
Muzzle Velocity	320 m/s (1050 fps)
Muzzle Energy	96 J (71 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	5 m (5 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Walnut
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.22 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .22 Short, .22 BB Cap
.32 Short Rimfire — also known as .32 Short, .32 RF Short

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Manual Single Loading
Safety mechanisms: Firing Pin Selector Safe Position
Features: Three Superposed Barrels, Ratcheting Firing Pin Selector, Tip Down Break Action, Sliding Knife Blade, Pocket Pistol

Production

Estimated total produced: 4,800 · Production years: 1858-1864

Approximately 1,500 of the .22 model and 3,300 of the improved .32 extractor model.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: William W. Marston

Discontinued: 1872

Notes

Marketed in two principal models: a .22 rimfire version (~1,500 made, most with a sliding knife blade) and an improved .32 rimfire extractor model (~3,300 made). Marked 'WM. W. MARSTON / PATENTED / MAY 26, 1857 / NEW YORK CITY'.

Background

Marston held at least six firearms patents and worked from 1844 until his death in 1872; the sliding knife blade made his little three-barrel pistol a true last-ditch defensive tool.