Henry Deringer
Encyclopedia
Henry Deringer was an American
gunsmith
. He invented, and gave his name to the Deringer pistol
. Further development and copying of his design resulted in the derringer
(note the double-r) pistol that was generically manufactured widely by other companies.
He was born in Easton, Pennsylvania
on Oct. 26, 1786 to colonial gunsmith Henry Deringer Senior
(1756-1833) and Catherine McQuety (1759–1829). He married Elizabeth Hollobush at the First Reformed Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1810. The family moved to Philadelphia where his father continued work on the Kentucky rifle, both an ornate sporting model and a basic version for the US Army.
Deringer joined his father as an apprentice the early 19th century. In 1825 he designed the first of the large caliber, short barrelled pistols that would lead to considerable wealth and fame for himself. Using the basic flintlock action in common usage at the time, the pistols were muzzle loading single shots, or in some cases, double barrelled in an over-under manner.
Later models used the percussion cap
action, although both actions were manufactured and sold for some time.
There was widespread copying and trademark infringement of his designs, include outright counterfeiting with his proofmarks being copied. Deringer fought these infringements for most of his business life, ironically having his best success after his death. The Deringer vs Plate ruling, in which the California Supreme Court ruled in the company's favour, became a landmark in trademark law.
Deringer died in 1868 at the age of 81. Deringer is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery
in Philadelphia.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
gunsmith
Gunsmith
A gunsmith is a person who repairs, modifies, designs, or builds firearms. This occupation is different from an armorer. The armorer primarily maintains weapons and limited repairs involving parts replacement and possibly work involving accurization...
. He invented, and gave his name to the Deringer pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
. Further development and copying of his design resulted in the derringer
Derringer
The term derringer is a genericized misspelling of the last name of Henry Deringer, a famous 19th-century maker of small pocket pistols. Many copies of the original Philadelphia Deringer pistol were made by other gun makers worldwide, and the name was often misspelled; this misspelling soon became...
(note the double-r) pistol that was generically manufactured widely by other companies.
He was born in Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton, Pennsylvania
Easton is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
on Oct. 26, 1786 to colonial gunsmith Henry Deringer Senior
Henry Deringer (Senior)
Henry Deringer Senior was an American gunsmith originally based in Richmond, Virginia in the late 18th century and early 19th century. He was the father and mentor of Henry Deringer Jr, whose name is now synonymous with small basic pistols known as derringers...
(1756-1833) and Catherine McQuety (1759–1829). He married Elizabeth Hollobush at the First Reformed Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 5, 1810. The family moved to Philadelphia where his father continued work on the Kentucky rifle, both an ornate sporting model and a basic version for the US Army.
Deringer joined his father as an apprentice the early 19th century. In 1825 he designed the first of the large caliber, short barrelled pistols that would lead to considerable wealth and fame for himself. Using the basic flintlock action in common usage at the time, the pistols were muzzle loading single shots, or in some cases, double barrelled in an over-under manner.
Later models used the percussion cap
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
action, although both actions were manufactured and sold for some time.
There was widespread copying and trademark infringement of his designs, include outright counterfeiting with his proofmarks being copied. Deringer fought these infringements for most of his business life, ironically having his best success after his death. The Deringer vs Plate ruling, in which the California Supreme Court ruled in the company's favour, became a landmark in trademark law.
Deringer died in 1868 at the age of 81. Deringer is buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the second major garden or rural cemetery in the United States. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1998, one of only a few cemeteries to receive the distinction....
in Philadelphia.