Page 52 - Auction84-Book1

Extremely Attractive Master L.D. Nimschke Engraved Pair of Gold and Silver Finished Brown Southerner Derringers
LOT 62
Outstanding Documented Cased Pair of Scarce L.D. Nimschke Engraved Gold
and Silver Finished Brown Manufacturing Southerner Derringers with Pearl Grips
-A) Brown Manufacturing Southerner Derringer - Serial no. 8408, 41 RF cal., 2 1/2 inch octagon bbl., silver finish, pearl grips. Offered here is a scarce pair of L.D. Nimschke engraved gold and silver finished Brown Manufacturing Southerner Derringers fitted
with pearl grips. These derringers were featured on the front cover of the August 1984 issue of
“The Gun Report.” This issue is included. A documented pair
of Brown Southerner derringers (serial numbers 8428 and 8874)
is pictured on page xxxiv in Wilson’s book “L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver” and display a similar scroll engraving on a dot background. The scrollwork is featured on the sides of the frame and barrel. The embellishment surrounds the “BROWN MF’G CO/NEW BURYPORT, MASS./PAT APR. 9 1857” marking on the
left side of the barrel. The upper
left and right barrel flats exhibit a
leaf type engraved motif. The top barrel flat is marked “SOUTHERNER” inside a wavy line border. The engraved patterns on the barrel feature a simple line border that terminates in an elegant entwining line motif with dots. At the muzzle are three differing engraved scalloped bands consisting of dots, lines and zig-zags. Scrollwork accents adorn the sides of the trigger housing and lower back strap. Additional engraved accents are featured around the hammer, back strap and butt. The serial number on the butt is surrounded by entwining lines on a dot background. Most of the back strap features a scallop border. The area around the hammer exhibits cross hatching, leaf and geometric patterns. The barrel pivots sideways to load, and there is an automatic extractor mounted on the underside of the barrel. It has a brass blade front, checkered hammer and smooth spur trigger. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel and on the butt. The barrel is gold plated, the brass frame is silver plated, the hammer and trigger are casehardened, and the screw heads are niter blue.
The case is lined in red velvet and has a cartridge block.
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel retains 97% original gold plating showing high edge wear. The frame
retains 97% original sliver plating with loss limited to the butt. The hammer retains vivid original case
colors. The screw head retain 95% original niter blue finish. The grips are also excellent showing the
slightest of handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine showing minor handling/storage wear
and some typical high spot wear on the lining. This is an investment grade pair of Nimschke engraved
Southerner deringers that would find a prominent place in the most advanced antique American
handgun collections. Over the years we have offered several factory engraved Southerner derringers but
never in this outstanding condition or linked to renowned Master Engraver L.D. Nimschke.
B) Brown Manufacturing Southerner Derringer - Serial no. 8688, 41 RF cal., 2 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
gold/silver finish, pearl grips. As described in “A.”
CONDITION: Excellent. The barrel retains 95% original gold plating with the balance a smooth gray patina.
The frame retains 97% original silver plating with loss limited to the butt. The hammer retains vivid
original case colors. The screw heads retain 97% original niter blue finish. The grips are also excellent with
a very small surface chip near the bottom (left panel). Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 25,000 - 37,500
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK L.D. NIMSCHKE: FIREARMS ENGRAVER BY WILSON AND THIS PAIR IS PICTURED ON THE COVER OF "THE GUN REPORT" FROM AUGUST 1984
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