Williamson Deringer
Moore's Patent Firearms Co. · Pistol · Discontinued · 1866
Also known as: Williamson Derringer, Williamson's Patent Derringer, D. Williamson Single Shot Deringer
Overview
The Williamson Deringer is a single-shot, breech-loading pocket pistol chambered in .41 Short Rimfire, designed by David Williamson of New York City and manufactured from 1866 by Moore's Patent Firearms Company of Brooklyn, New York, and later by its successor the National Firearms Company. Its rifled barrel slides forward to load, much like the slide of a later semi-automatic pistol. A distinctive feature was a removable auxiliary steel chamber fitted with a percussion nipple, allowing the owner to fire loose powder and ball with a percussion cap when metallic .41 rimfire cartridges were unavailable.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 227 g (8.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 236 g (8.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Barrel Length | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Height | 70 mm (2.76") |
| Width | 22 mm (0.87") |
| Action Type | Breech Loading |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 130 m/s (427 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 71 J (52 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 7 m (8 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 70 m (77 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .41 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .41 Short, .41 Rimfire Short
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Sliding Barrel Loading, Auxiliary Percussion Chamber, Spur Trigger, Checkered Walnut Grip, Engraved Brass Trigger Guard
Service history
Operators
- American civilian market · adopted 1866
Production
Production years: 1866-1870
Produced for roughly four years by Moore's Patent Firearms Co. and the National Firearms Co. of Brooklyn, New York.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: David Williamson
Discontinued: 1870
Notes
Engraved on the barrel with "Williamson's Patent October 2. 1866 New York." The dual rimfire/percussion capability was a practical hedge during the transition from cap-and-ball to self-contained cartridge ammunition.
Background
Marketed as a gentleman's pocket pistol during the post-Civil War era, the Williamson's clever auxiliary percussion chamber let a frontier owner keep the gun in service even when factory .41 rimfire rounds ran short, simply by loading loose powder, ball, and a percussion cap.