Early Unmarked H.C. Lombard & Co. Single Shot 22 Civil War Derringer

Serial #121, .22 Rim Fire black powder, 3 ½ inch octagon barrel with a fine bore with very good rifling and several areas of moderate pitting.  This is the single shot, side swing derringer manufactured by the H.C. Lombard & Company in Springfield, Massachusetts from 1859 to circa 1862.   Hosea Lombard was called into service as a captain of the F Company of the 10th Massachusetts regiment in 1862 marking the end of his company.  According to Laidacker in his book Early Cartridge Handguns / .22 Caliber the first hundred or so from Lombard were unmarked only having serial numbers but were discernible from similar constructed pistols such as the Merwyn & Bray and Morgan & Clapp by the thin rectangular cut in both sides of the standing breech face that allowed you to see through when empty and for the easy removal of swelled rims after firing.  This early example remains in fine condition with the barrel and hammer showing trace amounts of the original blue finish and the brass frame having a very even golden brass patina.  The rosewood grips are individually numbered to the gun and remain in excellent condition with much of the original varnish remaining.   It is sighted with a notch in the top of the hammer and a German silver halfmoon blade front sight.  Mechanically it functions properly with a tight lock up having just a hint of play in the barrel and the hammer holds at half and full cock with a crisp trigger pull.  A fine example of a rare Civil War side swing.  Antique