Lot 67

Cased Pair of Engraved A. G. Genez Percussion Derringers

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Cased Pair of Engraved A. G. Genez Percussion Derringers

Estimate: $35,000 - $55,000

Starting Bid: $30,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Spectacular and Well-Documented Cased Pair of L. D. Nimschke Master Engraved and Silver Mounted A. G. Genez Percussion Derringer Pocket Pistols -A) A. G. Genez Percussion Derringer Spectacular and Well-Documented Cased Pair of L. D. Nimschke Master Engraved and Silver Mounted A. G. Genez Percussion Derringer Pocket Pistols -A) A. G. Genez Percussion Derringer Henry Deringer's iconic pocket pistols were among the most popular firearms in mid-19th century America and were widely used anywhere a small concealable pistol would be handy for self-defense from the boom town of San Francisco and the gold fields of California to the dusty saloons of the Southwest and the rough streets of New York City. They were also widely copied by other gunmakers, including by the highly talented gunsmith August G. Genez of New York City. Genez immigrated from Germany when he was 21 in 1854 and by 1856 was listed in "Trow's New York City Directory" as a gunsmith. Various records indicate he was born in France. He was active as a gunsmith until 1880 when Vincent Bissig took over the business. He was also noted as the proprietor of the Morrisania Schuetzen Park in the 1880s. A number of Genez deluxe firearms were embellished by New York City Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke. Nimschke's engraved patterns specifically for Genez are referenced in R. L. Wilson's book "L. D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver" on pages, 30, 31, 36, 53, and 64. The smoke pulls from Nimschke's engraving show patterns that match the style found on this pair. Despite his long career, examples of Genez work remains scarce, and Rock Island Auction Company is proud to present a true pair of Genez derringers in the highest of craftsmanship and condition. In addition to being the finest of Genez's derringers known, they are among the best of all percussion derringers in overall quality. The pair is featured on page 141 of the "Derringer in America" by R. L. Wilson and Doug Eberhart, pages 306-309 of "The Art of the Gun: Magnificent Colts, Selections from the Robert M. Lee Collection, Vol. II" by Robert Lee and R. L. Wilson, and in the article "August G. Genez: A Practical Gunmaker" by Aaron Newcomer. The top of each barrel is signed "A.G. GENEZ, MAKER,/No. 9 Chambers St. N.Y." Each lock plate is signed "AG GENEZ" inside a banner. The pistols feature near full coverage, beautifully executed, fine foliate scroll engraving on the lock plates, breech plugs, tangs, and silver mounts. The trigger plates have stylized pineapple finials. The pommel caps feature highly stylized "SWW" monograms and feature small hinged compartments with engraved borders and stars. The derringers have browned rifled barrels, platinum blowout plugs, casehardened breech plugs, standing breeches, and locks, and silver escutcheons, forend inlays, trigger plates, trigger guards, and pommel caps. They are mounted with a smooth select American walnut stocks. The overall length of each pistols is 5 3/4 inches. The partitioned leather bound case is lined in purple velvet and contains the following accessories: a German silver three-way flask, blued "COLT'S/PATENT" marked .44 caliber bullet mold, cleaning rod/ramrod, mallet, and rosewood handle screwdriver and nipple wrench.

Manufacturer: Genez A G

Model: Percussion Pocket

BBL: 1 7/8 inch flat top round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44

Finish: brown/casehardened/silver

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

B) A. G. Genez Percussion Derringer As described in "A".

Manufacturer: Genez A G

Model: Percussion Pocket

BBL: 1 7/8 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44

Finish: brown/casehardened/silver

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: A) Excellent overall with 97% plus original brown finish and original vivid case colors, light aged patina on the silver mounts, slight edge wear and handling marks, and crisp engraving and markings. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine and shows mild age and storage related wear mainly on the leather and detached straps and latch. The accessories are very fine with nearly all of the original blue remaining on the mold, bright German silver and bright nitre blue on the flask, and minimal wear. B) Excellent overall with 97% plus of the original brown finish and vibrant original case colors, attractively aged patina on the silver, light edge wear, a small spot of finish loss on the right at the muzzle, crisp engraving and markings, light handling marks and attractive figure on the stock, and generally only minimal light age and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare opportunity to own one of the finest pairs of percussion derringers extant today: the stunning silver mounted A. G. Genez derringers engraved by renowned Master Engraver L. D. Nimschke!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000