Description: .22RF Short. 2.25” round barrel. SN: 600. Blued barrel, nickel plated frame, color casehardened hammer and trigger, blued screws, smooth rosewood grips. Top of barrel marked “XPERT – PAT. SEP. 23, 1873.” Matching serial numbers on frame under grips and under barrel. These simple single shot, spur trigger, single action derringers used a patented hinged breech block that was normally color casehardened, however it is nickel plated on this example. The guns were introduced circa 1872-1873 with some 4,500 produced in both .22 and .30 rimfire during the 1870s. This example was formerly in the L.D. Eberhart collection and is pictured and discussed in Eberhart & Wilson’s book The Deringer in America Volume II - The Cartridge Period on page 75. A period coin purse holster is included with the pistol. Shipping: This lot may be picked up free of charge in Gardnerville, NV. It can also be delivered to the Annex Auctions facility for pick up in Sacramento for $25 or shipped via FedEx or USPS within the continental U.S. for $85. All shipments include Direct Signature Required and full replacement value insurance at a rate of 1.5% of the purchase price, unless the buyer accepts full liability in writing. Combined lot shipping is typically discounted. Condition: Very fine. Barrel with most of the bright blue remaining with some thinning and fading, as well as some minor muzzle wear. Frame with most of the nickel-plated finish intact with some flaked loss and high edge wear, showing some surface oxidation and roughness in the areas of loss. Hammer and trigger with dull traces of colors, screws with some traces of color remaining. Markings remain clear and crisp. Mechanically functional action. Fair bore is dark, dirty, heavily oxidized and pitted with traces of rifling visible. Grips with some light wear, retaining some finish and showing some light handling marks. Coin purse holster is very good with moderate wear and remaining fully functional.