Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This is a 1/2 scale Henry Deringer, often called a Philadelphia Deringer, made by Raymond E. Hutchens of Indianapolis, Indiana, who I consider to be the world’s finest miniature firearms craftsman, equaled only by Leon Crottet in Switzerland. This is far & away the finest & most beautiful miniature Philadelphia Deringer I have ever seen. I was marveling at this piece when I started to list it, wondering who made it, then the clues starting adding up. The case is a typical Hutchens’ with black leatherette outside and a dark green felt interior. The workmanship I thought was absolutely good enough. Then I noticed a mark on the case bottom. When I looked at the marking with a strong magnifying glass, the mark is “HUTCH” above a stamped likeness of a ball vice. The ball vice is Mr. Hutchens’ typical maker’s mark, and is usually stamped under the grips of his miniatures. Consulting Joseph Kramer’s book, Scale Miniature Firearms, this exact miniature is pictured on page 84! Provenance proved! The Deringer is 2 11/16″ long overall with a 1 1/32″ rifled barrel of .213 caliber. The tapered part octagon part round barrel is browned, with a dovetailed gold front sight. The top of the barrel properly roll stamped “DERINGER PHILADELA”, the last “A” being smaller that the other lettering. The lockplate is case colored with beautiful vine & scroll engraving, and properly roll stamped “DERINGER PHILADELA”, the same as the barrel. The hammer and barrel tang also case colored and engraved. The furniture looks to be sterling silver and is likewise beautifully engraved. The nipple is finished in the white. The buttcap has a hinged trapdoor for storing extra balls and caps. The one piece stock looks to be ebony, and is finely checkered at the wrist and butt. Mr. Hutchens took no shortcuts in making his miniatures. Any part that should be hardened is. Even the rifling is to the proper twist with the proper number of lands & grooves to the proper depth & width. Complete with the original above mentioned black leatherette hinged top case with push button latch. The push button stamped “HUTCH”. I didn’t notice this until after I had taken the photos. The top case corners with nickel silver ball shaped protectors. The interior semi French fit and lined in a dark green felt. Excellent mint new condition. Most likely a one of a kind piece, and sure to be the centerpiece of nearly any collection of miniature firearms! I will include a hard bound copy of Joseph Kramer’s book with the purchase of this piece. !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
