Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Charles H. Ballard of Worcester, Massachusetts, primarily known for his rifles, also ventured into manufacturing pocket pistols. In the early 1870s, he designed and patented a .41 caliber rimfire Derringer. This small, concealable pistol featured a spring latch for opening, a mechanically cammed extractor for removing spent casings, and a front sight. Despite its small size, it could also be used as a brass knuckle when empty. While most were in .41 rimfire, some rare models were made in .30 rimfire. The .41 rimfire cartridge, often underestimated, was quite potent with its 130-grain bullet achieving 500-550 feet per second. Several thousand of these Derringers were manufactured, with the example shown being number 3,600 and change.
“Manufacturer: BalIard C HModel: DerringerType: PistolGauge: 41 RFBarrel: 2 3/4 inch part octagonFinish: nickelGrip: rosewood”
Lot 2022: Ballard Single Shot Derringer – Excellent Ballard Single Shot Derringer. (n.d.-z). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved May 4, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1045/2022/ballard-single-shot-derringer.
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