.22 RF Short. 2.5” octagon to round barrel. SN: 10. Full nickel finish, color casehardened hammer and trigger, blued screws, smooth walnut grips. Top of barrel flat marked in a single line “STAR VEST POCKET”. No other external markings. The number “10”, assumed to be a serial number, is found under the barrel, concealed by the frame. A simple single action, spur trigger, pivoting barrel single shot derringer, made without sights. It is believed that Iver Johnson actually produced these guns which were marketed by James Bown & Son (formerly of Bown & Tetley). It is believed about 15,000 of the .22 caliber guns were made during the 1870s and early 1880s, with another 2,000 made in .32 caliber. Standard finish was full nickel like this example, with walnut grips. Some were additionally marked “ECLIPSE” and many were unmarked. A scarce and fine example of one of the lesser-known derringers of the period. Fine. Metal with most of the original nickel intact with some minor flaked loss, particularly at the lower rear of the left side of the chamber. Hammer with dull mottled coloring, trigger with faded color. Markings remain clear and crisp. Mechanically functional action. Bore fair, dark, dirty and moderately oxidized with traces of rifling. Grips crisp with some light wear.