War and Military Atlas

How Battles Were Fought
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Weapons Systems

Derringer

Modern

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A derringer, or deringer, is a small handgun that is neither a revolver, a semi-automatic pistol, nor a machine pistol. The modern derringer is often multi-barreled and is generally the smallest usable handgun of a given caliber and barrel length, since it lacks a moving action that would otherwise take up space behind the barrel. It is frequently associated with discreet use by women because it is easily concealed in a purse or a stocking.

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