The Derringer reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Derringer

A Derringer is a short-barreled pocket pistol, of large caliber. It is usually single shot but can be double. Because of its poor accuracy and small size, it is meant for up-close encounters.

Oddly enough, the name of this weapon has been consistently misspelled, and the incorrect name is now accepted as standard. The pistol's designer was Henry Deringer (1786-1868).

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