About 3,000 of these single shot deringers were manufactured b the Moores Patent Fire Arms Co. in 1860-1865. They were later also manufactured by the National Arms Co. and then Colt. The pistol has scroll and arrow engraving, "R.C. Dawkins Col, 6th Ky. Inft." inscribed on the upper left of the barrel, "MOORES PT. F.A. Co. BROOKLYN, N.Y." and a round blade front sight on top of the barrel, and a groove in the spur of the hammer for a rear sight. It comes in a modern custom display case. Also included is a large array of documents relating to Richard C. Dawkins (1833-1881) of La Grange, Kentucky, including copies of muster rolls and multiple of his commissions as an officer in the 6th Kentucky Infantry for the ranks of second lieutenant (December 7, 1861), first lieutenant (January 22, 1862, due to the death of Richard Rockingham), and lieutenant colonel (May 11, 1864). Richard C. Dawkins enlisted as a private on September 23, 1861, in B Company of the 6th Kentucky Infantry. In addition to the included promotions, he was promoted on September 16, 1864, to colonel. Earlier, he was the captain of Company B. In August 1864, Richard C. Dawkins was placed in command of the 6th. One of the included documents states: "the first Battle that Major Dawkins participated in (after Promotion) was the Battle of Missionary Ridge in which he displayed his skill and Bravery as a field officer." He was laid up ill during part of the war as was so often the case. Dawkins went on to become a dentist after the war and died in Decatur, Illinois. This pistol, another essentially just like it, his watch mentioned in the same letter just referenced, and other personal effects were held onto by his family for many years. Given the rank noted on the pistols, they were inscribed sometime after September 1864. He and his unit fought in many battles throughout the war and lost 105 soldiers and 10 officers either killed or mortally wounded in combat in addition to 101 losses to disease. Many of those killed or mortally wounded were lost at Shiloh (bloodiest battle in U.S. history to that point), Stones River (replaced Shiloh as the bloodiest battle), and Chickamauga. For example, First Lieutenant Richard Rockingham, mentioned on Dawkins' 1st lt. promotion, died from wounds at Chickamauga, and Lieutenant Colonel George T. Cotton was killed at Stones River. Capt. Thomas Speed of the 12th Kentucky Infantry wrote the following: "None of the Kentucky regiments had a better record than the 6th."

Very good as replated with most of the silver, distinct engraving and inscription, legible barrel markings, and light scratches and marks. Mechanically fine. The historic documents are extremely fine and have some creasing and other age related wear. The modern case and frames are generally very good with minor storage wear. This is an interesting set connected to an officer from the border states.