Active between 1858 and 1878, Richard P. Bruff was a producer of hardware and an agent for rifles and "Derringer" pistols. This pistol appears on page 99 of THE DERINGER IN AMERICA VOLUME I by L.D. Eberhart and R.L. Wilson as part of a pair (no information on other example supplied). It has fixed German silver blade front and notch rear sights, with scroll engraving on the tang and breech plug. There are a pair of German silver bands bordering the breech plug, "R.P. BRUFF" in an arch over "N.Y.", and "CAST STEEL" on the flat top of the barrel. The hammer is decorated with checkering on the spur, scale patterns, eyes and a raised crescent along the top, scrollwork down the side, and a border line ahead of the engraved screw. The lock plate and German silver trigger guard have matching engraving patterns. The wedge fastened stock has checkering on the grip, a Schnabel tip, bird's head butt shape, and German silver furniture including a decorative inlay on the left flat, an unmarked initial shield on the upper wrist, a triangular forend tip inlay, and tear drop shaped buttplate.

Very good. The barrel retains a blend of original brown finish and an established brown patina. The lock plate and breech have dark case colors and brown patina while the German silver components remain mostly bright with some minor aging. The stock is also very good with crisp checkering and some minor pressure marks. The action is excellent, and the markings are crisp.