Henry Deringer is one of the most well-known gunmakers in American history. His pistols, and those made by his imitators, were immensely popular during the California Gold Rush and Civil War era. These small "Peanut" Deringers are particularly significant and well-known because one was used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. The Curry Brothers were agents and retailers of Deringer's pistols in San Francisco in the 1850s and 1860s. Nathaniel Curry took over when his brother Charles died in 1863, so the marking on this pistol would date between 1863 and Derringer's death in 1868. It has "DERINGER/PHILADELA" marked on the lock and breech, "N CURRY & BRo/SAN FRANCO CALA/AGENTS" marked on the top of the barrel, the proper seven-groove rifling for a real Henry Deringer product, a German silver blade front sight, German silver bands and the "P" with burst patterns marking on the breech, scroll engraving, German silver furniture, a cap compartment in the butt, and checkering on the grip of the bird's head stock.

Very good with mottle gray and brown patina on the barrel and lock, light aging of the German silver, distinct markings, minor pitting, and general mild wear. The stock is also very good and has smooth oiled finish, crisp checkering, a very faint crack in the left side at the breech, minor dings, and light handling and storage wear. Mechanically fine.