Early Ignition Systems Since the introduction of black powder around 1250, cultures have been finding ways to create and improve firearms. The very first firearms that have been discovered are hand cannons that date back to 1364. These hand held devices would work by means of a wick that would be connected to a touch hole, […]
In the 1830s, Henry Deringer Jr. (1806 – 1868) developed a small pocket pistol. Because it was so tiny, it became a popular concealed-carry handgun of the era—so much so, that it was copied by many competitors. G. Erichson of Houston, Texas, manufactured the Deringer-like pistols pictured here. Over time, the common misspelling “derringer,” used […]