Under 10,000 of these David Williamson patent pistols were manufactured by Moore's Patent Fire Arms Company and the National Fire Arms Company in the late 1860s. Few are seen today due to presumed high attrition given that the majority of those still seen are in poor condition. They were produced in a variety of finishes and combinations. This example has blued barrel and desirable gold plated trigger guard and action with attractive engraving patterns on nearly all of the gold plated surfaces, floral scroll designs on the sides of the barrel, and an arrow on the top of the barrel. It is equipped with a fixed blade front sight and hammer notch rear sight and is fitted on a walnut stock with checkering on the grip. The left side of the barrel is marked "WILLIAMSON'S PAT. OCT. 2. 1866. NEW YORK". The serial number is marked on the underside of the barrel and on the action. It includes an insert so that the pistol can be used as with percussion caps and black powder in addition to metallic cartridges.

Very fine. The barrel retains 75% of the blue finish with a gray-brown patina on the balance. The trigger guard and action retain 40%% of the gold plating with an aged patina on the balance. The revarnished stock is very fine with some small pressure marks. The action is excellent, and the markings and designs are crisp. Do not let the high quality Williamson derringers in this auction fool you, these are rare guns in this high condition!