Seeking Info about a Gun (VANITY)

Me ^ | today | day10

[day10]

I am seeking information a out a gun that was found by a friend. She has been told that it is quite valuable, but I am skeptical. She says it has been in her family for quite a while.

The gun is a 2 shot, .22 caliber derringer. Engraved on the barrel is:

"Double Deuce"

and

"Buddie Arms
Fort Worth, Texas"

Gun is silver except for the grip, which appears to be a beige/pearl colored plastic.

Just curious as to whether any knowledgeable Freepers can supply further info.

Thanks all, day10

[Delta 21]

Pictures would be helpful.

Tell us all the markings on the pistol, ie... serial #, model #, manufactures marks, anything at all will be helpful.

[Delta 21]

Look thru these pages and see if it resembles any of them.

[day10]

I'll see if I can't take a couple of pics soon and put them up for all to see.

The only serial number I can see engraved on it is on the side and, while a bit unclear, appears to be:

"S876"

or maybe

"9876"

Other than that there is nothing else engraved on it that I can see.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.horstheld.com/default.htm

Very good info on guns here!

[day10]

Looks like the second one on the list:

http://www.derringer.de/new595.htm

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7311403&aa=%20%20Buddie%20Arms%20Double%20Duece%20Derringer%20.22%20LR%20Caliber%20Excellent

Here is your gun.
It is not worth much!

[Lurker]

pinging the usual suspects.

L

[day10]

Thank you both very much!

I was skeptical about this thing being so antique and valuable. Looks like I was correct.

day10

[Delta 21]

Unless of course its standing between you and a bad guy.

[Panzerlied]

My quick "Dogpile" search indicates a modern replica worth about $100 depending on the condition.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

George Bemis . . . wore in his belt an old original "Allen" revolver, such as irreverent people called a "pepper-box."

Simply drawing the trigger back, cocked and fired the pistol. As the trigger came back, the hammer would begin to rise and the barrel to turn over, and presently down would drop the hammer, and away would speed the ball.
To aim along the turning barrel and hit the thing aimed at was a feat which was probably never done with an "Allen" in the world.
But George's was a reliable weapon, nevertheless, because, as one of the stage-drivers afterward said, "If she didn't get what she went after, she would fetch something else." And so she did.
She went after a deuce of spades nailed against a tree, once, and fetched a mule standing about thirty yards to the left of it. Bemis did not want the mule; but the owner came out with a double-barreled shotgun and persuaded him to buy it, anyhow. It was a cheerful weapon--the "Allen."

Sometimes all its six barrels would go off at once, and then there was no safe place in all the region round about, but behind it.
MARK TWAIN

[day10]

Very true!

[day10]

I searched Google for this gun and didnt get much except links to "banhandguns.com".

I need to change search engines......

[Panzerlied]

"I searched Google for this gun and didnt get much except links to "banhandguns.com"."

Sought handguns,
Found banguns!

[Swordmaker]

I think it is an old Saturday nite special derringer made of "pot metal" castings and not worth much. It was based on an old Remington Derringer design... My recollection is that they sold for about $35 in the late sixties and early seventies. I wouldn't buy them used because they tended to shoot loose... and the hinges would wear out as well as the lock allowing gases to escape the breech.

Pawn shops were their primary retail outlets.

[Swordmaker]

Yup... that's the one I remember.

[Swordmaker]

Here is one sold at auction at a Nov. 2004 gun auction:

3307--BUDDIE ARMS DERRINGER .22 CAL OVER UNDER PISTOL, SERIAL #14647--$45.00

That's more like the price I would expect it to bring.

[Swordmaker]

Here's one sold in a lot of four derringers:

60.*LOT OF FOUR MODERN DERRINGERS. (1) Frontier Model O/U, Cal. 22 LR. Patterned after a Remington with blued finish and black composition grips contained in its original box with instruction manual. Ser. 16548. CONDITION: Appears new in the box. (2) Frontier Model O/U, Cal. 22 LR. Patterned after a Remington it has nickeled finish and black composition grips. Contained in its original box. Ser. 5016. CONDITION: Appears new in the box. (3) Buddie Arms Double Deuce O/U, Cal. 22 LR. Patterned after a Remington, it has nickeled finish and white composition grips, in its original box. Ser. 10918. CONDITION: Appears new in the box. (4) Butler #3, Cal. 22 S. Patterned after the Colt Thuer #3, it has a blue barrel, gold plated frame, wood grips. It is mounted in a shadow box picture frame. No visible serial number. Appears new with some minor scuffing to grips. 4-98998 JL340 (200-300) - LOT SOLD $270

On the other hand, the best way to sell this handgun is through a Government "handgun buyback scheme" (PDF file) in Queensland, Australia, which has it listed on their value list:

BUDDIE ARMS DOUBLE DEUCE HP BO UO 22RIMFIRE $420.00 (Exc) $277.20 (VG)

It is a shame to see all the fine firearms and antiques the government in Australia was confiscating...