Need info on Philadelphia Derringer

[bunkysdad]

I was given this Phil. Derringer replica several years ago. I have never loaded it and decided I would so thinking it was 45 cal like most on the web I bought a box of .440 round balls. Well they are too big. Now I am wondering what caliber it is, and if it is in fact a firing pistol. It says "made in spain" with no other writing. It appears to be real but then the barrel is not rifled. Who here knows about these and what is your best advice for me?

[entropy]

Most likely .41 caliber, which is what the originals were. Pull the nipple and slide a nipple pick down the flash hole and see if it goes into the chamber. Rifling would be pointless on these, though some repros have it. You could pull the barrel from the wood and look for proof marks.

You could also fire a cap with the muzzle on a flat surface and a piece of white paper under it; you'll know if it's bored through.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Nice, they didn't have much caliber selection with these 70's CVA type repops. .31, .36, .44 , .45 for the pistols. I had one of these but I don't remember what it ate. These were made in more than one caliber depending on the specifications of the importer, the Spanish gunmakers would make them however the importer wanted. You need a bore measure from Dixie Gun works

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_in ... ts_id=2801

[bunkysdad]

What I "need" from Dixie is a 2nd model Dragoon!

[steelbuttplate]

Most likely .41 caliber, which is what the originals were. Pull the nipple and slide a nipple pick down the flash hole and see if it goes into the chamber. Rifling would be pointless on these, though some repros have it. You could pull the barrel from the wood and look for proof marks.

You could also fire a cap with the muzzle on a flat surface and a piece of white paper under it; you'll know if it's bored through.

With the nipple off, you can also shine a penlight down the whole and see the whole shebang. Not a primary weapon for deer/bear hunting, but it would be challenging.

[Darryl]

Does look like my brothers CVA (kit from the 70's) only someone checkered the grips on yours. Nice.

Dolk

[Longcolt44]

This set of wall hangers has "Made in Spain" also.

[bunkysdad]

Chuck why are they wall hangers? Are they non-firing replicas?

[Junk Yard Dog]

Jukar? They should be shooters then.

[Longcolt44]

Chuck why are they wall hangers? Are they non-firing replicas?

Somebody has varnished not only the wood but the metal also. I paid $20.00 for the whole set.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Varnish will not stop them from shooting, could be it was applied at the factory if the set was intended for display only