High Standard Derringer carry

[kaaskop49]

In the 70's, there was a pocket holster available for the H-S Derringer. It looked vaguely like a wallet, you'd remove the grips from the gun and use the grip screws to secure the gun to the inside of the rig.The idea being, you would produce the 'wallet' upon demand, and...
I've heard from 2 sources I consider knowledgeable that this set-up is now restricted under the same Federal laws that regulate restricted weapons. Can anyone help?

 

[idlethunder]

I read this a few months ago and just happened to save it:

As defined in 26 U.S.C. section 5845(e) of the National Firearms
Act (NFA), the term "any other weapon" includes certain weapons
capable of being concealed on the person. It is unlawful to make,
possess or transfer such weapons which are not registered in
accordance with NFA controls. Further, a maker of such firearms
who has not paid the appropriate special (occupational) tax is
liable for $200 making tax for each weapon produced and $5 for each
weapon transferred.

ATF has previously determined that firearms installed in various
types of wallets, briefcases, canes, etc. may be NFA firearms as
defined. The submitted samples are rectangular leather cases,
which measure approximately 5 1/2 inches in length and 2 3/4 inches
in height. They are designed to hold an American Derringer firearm
in a fixed position with openings in the leather so
that the derringer can be operated and fired while it is in the
case. When the derringer is installed in the case, the weapon has
the exterior appearance to other "wallet guns" which have
previously been determined to be NFA firearms.

ATF has previously determined that an American Derringer, Model DA,
in and of itself, is a firearm subject to the provisions of the
GCA and is not a firearm subject to the NFA controls. The leather
wallet by itself is not subject to control as a firearm. However,
we have also determined that any person who might possess such a
derringer in combination with the wallet holster would be in
possession of a firearm subject to the purview of the NFA.

 

[Old Unk]

Had and gave away a HS .22 mag derringer that I carried for a short time as a back up to primary in a homemade rough out leather pocket square. Extra heavy DA trigger pull was all the safety needed.

Carried in RF, RR pants or jacket uniform pockets.

Went through a TP 22, AMT .380 Backup and settled on a bobbed 60 which is the only one I still own...

Best.

 

[kaaskop49]

idlethunder: Thanks so much for your helpful post! Wow! These wallet holsters were listed in gun magazines back in the 1970s for $25-$30, I forget exactly how much. Talk about how easy it is to get 'jammed up.' A simple piece of leather can put one in violation of Federal statutes... Thanks again.

 

[idlethunder]

You are very welcome for the reply. The same type of wallet you mentioned for the derringer showed up on ebay for a J Frame a while back. It was made out of plastic and attached to the revolver by kind of clamping down on the grips. It cost less than $20 so I bought it and had it shipped. When it arrived I noticed stamped inside was a statement saying it was a NFA item so after a little research I got rid of it. I'm not sure how comfortable it would have been to sit with a J Frame in your back pocket for extended periods but it was a fairly good design and certainly could have evolved into something great had it not been for the way it was categorized. It even had slots for 5 extra rounds to be carried in the housing. All in all a very neat idea.

 

[kaaskop49]

IdleThunder: You send away for something, admittedly inexpensive, and it arrives with a NFA caveat inside it. Wonderful. That's like these RX drug ads on TV; they all have similar warnings re hideous potential side effects. You were wise to toss it. By the way, you cool! VL

 

[Mule Packer]

Had a similar setup for my Ruger LCP. Personally, whether it was legal or not, I found it much easier just to carry Miss Elsie P. in my pocket without any accoutrements. After all, that's why they call it a "pocket pistol."

Same holds true with my Bond derringer. Even though I have a holster for it, it makes much more sense for me to carry it loose in my vest or coat pocket. Easy to access and same element of surprise.

 

[kaaskop49]

Mule Packer: Appreciate your reply. Do you actually carry a Bond derringer in a vest pocket? Try not to step in any puddles! I have tried everything with my Bond: removed trigger guard, had frame cut down by factory (great people), and installed the 2.5" .45LC snub barrel. Cannot get the weight down to a (for me) manageable level. Prefer my American Derringer Model 10: .45ACP in 10 oz. gun.

 

[Mule Packer]

Mule Packer: Appreciate your reply. Do you actually carry a Bond derringer in a vest pocket? Try not to step in any puddles! I have tried everything with my Bond: removed trigger guard, had frame cut down by factory (great people), and installed the 2.5" .45LC snub barrel. Cannot get the weight down to a (for me) manageable level. Prefer my American Derringer Model 10: .45ACP in 10 oz. gun.

Yep. I have a few Filson vests that will conceal the Bond very easily. You're absolutely right, though, the thing is built like the proverbial brick shipyard and is pretty hefty in weight. Even though I list a little to the right when I carry it, it fits in the pocket pretty well. Can't say that with some of my other vests, but with the Filsons, it does good.

The American Derringer is a great little gun. (Wish I had one.) Plus, they look more like the original Remington derringer than a Bond. I have the .38spl/.357 mag. barrels on my Bond.

On the bright side, after you shoot your two shots with the Bond, if need be, you can use it as a club.

 

[Alnamvet68]

Here's your source OP, the pocket wallet for your H-S Derringer...



Pocket Holsters

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I had a wallet holster for a Beretta 950BS .25ACP in the long ago and far away like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55k6yWH723g. I carried it when delivering pizzas until one night when a guy threatened to take the pizza and kick my a$$. The sound of the hammer being cocked dissuaded him, but I went home and got a .38.

After I got rid of the little Beretta, the ATF decided that the wallet holsters were NFA items if you had the gun and the wallet holster in your possession even if they weren't together. Struck me as kinda stupid...

ECS

 

[kaaskop49]

Elm Creek Smith: Thanks for the video showing the wallet holster; this was the style made for the H-S derringer.

Mule Packer: Like a job carrying MY Bond derringer? I've done all I can to lighten it. Elizabeth Saunders of American Derringer puts out a great product; her guns are truly custom-made. Her info sheet will open your eyes, it is must-reading before you even handle the weapon. The ADC derringer is not one to take to the range for your friends to play with. Too many people do this with their carry guns... IMHO. Thank you, Mule Packer.

Thank you all for replying to my obscure posting!