John Martin. Gunmaker Waterford. c.1825

 


John Martin

Gunmaker

Waterford

The Classic Irish Derringer. c.1825
 Most collectors would call this a conversion, yet many percussion pistols were built from flintlock parts. The stock having been cut to take a flintlock cock. See the relief behind the hammer. The lockplate is undoubtedly a flint style and clearly showing  the fence and trough for the pan in which the nipple bolster has been created to seat in the trough. The fitting of a nipple bolster was a vast improvement on the crude "drum and nipple" conversions and were more pleasing to the eye. 
The later and more refined conversions involved making a new integral breech plug & bolster assembly and these were screwed into the barrel.
7 inches overall in length with a 3" barrel. 


Reverse side showing single screw and cup.


Waterford to barrel flat and bead front sight.

Our thanks to Steve Collward for photography and permission to publish.

David Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk



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