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JXM-18 LATHAM DERRINGERS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
JXM-18 LATHAM DERRINGERS
Pair of rare cased Philadelphia Derringers by John H. Krider, of Philadelphia with engraved silver mountings, gold name plaques, and contained in their original partition lined walnut case with lid inscribed “Milton S. Latham”. Milton S. Latham was elected Governor of California on the democratic ticket in 1860 by the Lecompton Democrats who were pro-slavery. He resigned five days after his inauguration in order to become a Senator of California appointed by himself after Sen. Broderick was killed in a duel with Judge Terry of San Francisco. The Terry/Broderick duel was one of the most famous events in early California history and lead to the second rising of vigilantes in San Francisco. Latham was also prominent in building the railroad from Sausalito to Casadero in Northern California. Latham was born May 23, 1829 in Ohio, son of a gentleman, tracing his lineage back to Mayflower stock. He went to Jefferson College in PA where he graduated in 1846 and was educated as a lawyer. He was county clerk of Russel County, Alabama and moved to San Francisco on April 15, 1850 at the height of the Gold Rush and started a law practice there. In 1853 he was one of the youngest men elected to the U.S. Congress and was re-elected in 1863 and remained there until 1856. In 1856 he returned to California a seasoned politician at 27 years old. During the democratic state convention, he was nominated for Governor at the assistance of the Lecompton Democrats. He defeated John Curry (Who later became a member of the state supreme court) and Leland Stanford (Who became Governor of California a year later). Latham was succeeded by John G. Downing, his Lt. Governor, who held the position until 1861. These particular pistols are listed on page 24 and completely described in the “Far West Hobby Shop Catalog” featuring the Joseph Gnau collection, where they were purchased in the late 1930s. We obtained these pistols directly from noted collector Robert Pershing who was the descendant of original purchasers. The pistols are 5 ¾” with 2 ¼” barrels, of very high quality showing delicately engraved hammers and locks with fine scrollwork, nicely engraved on tangs, hand lettered “Philadelphia” on top of the breech, and hand engraved “Krider” in large block letters directly behind the hammer. Guns are full stocked to muzzle with no ramrods, show silver escutcheons, and finely engraved silver side plates, engraved silver trigger guards and silver teardrop inlays in butt. The stocks are of high quality gunstock walnut finely checkered with nice grain, seven groove rifled octagon barrel in approximately .41 caliber showing gold deluxe escutcheon plaques mounted at both tangs. Both guns remain in original fine condition with excellent wood, sharp natural patina finish, and some hint of tobacco brown on both barrels. Extremely crisp metal surfaces with fine varnished walnut stocks showing only a little handling and minor mars in the varnish, extremely fine and crisp overall. Case in their original dusty rose colored velvet lined partition style casing with proper mold, key, silver plated derringer type deluxe bag flask, and large patch utter (Which is the only thing that could fit in this compartment). One compartment in left corner of the box with wood top and ivory knob. Compartment top in right corner long missing, otherwise interior is very good to fine. Exterior of the box is in very good condition with typical storage scratches and mars, mostly to the finish and light with period engraved plaque “Milton S. Latham” in block letters absolutely original. They are also mentioned on page 93 of “Henry Deringers Pocket Pistols” by Parson.
A great set with long provenance and stated in the Gnau catalog from Far West Hobby Shop “Extremely fine, extremely rare, and there is no doubt this is the only one in existence” referring to the rarity of a pair of Krider derringers. Krider was known for his dueling pistols and made few derringer size pistols. A real piece of California Gold Rush era history. (Antique) Est.: $10,000-$20,000