44-40 derringers in the Old West?

[fortyshooter]

Since the .44-40 was a common revolver and rifle round in the late 1870's and later were there and derringers chambered in that caliber?  I have a Cimarron 1873 6 shooter and an original 1892 Winchester made in 1895 in that caliber and always have an itch to find a derringer to match. American derringer only current shop I know that will make one and of course it ain't cheap but would be cool to have. I once had a Bond Arms in 45 Colt/410 until the hammer blew off with a 410 shell!

[Cap'n Redneck]

If a .44-40 derringer scratches your "cool-to-have" itch, then by all means, that is a legitimate reason to purchase one.

Given that these guns nowadays are mostly called upon to punch two holes in a paper-target just across the card table, I would go for a gun chambered in .44 Special or .44 Magnum, then load and shoot .44 Russian cartridges in it.
The .44 Russian is short & stubby, like the original .41 Rimfire was.
And you can use the same .44 bullets that you load in your .44-40 cartridges.

I have fired a .45 Colt/.410 derringer once, and did not enjoy it one bit.

My personal Davis o/u derringer has been modified from .38 Special to .38 Smith & Wesson, in order to obtain that "short & stubby" derringer cartridge look.

[Coffinmaker]

  PLUS ONE for Cap'n Redneck

If a 44-40 Derringer flows yer boat, by all means.  However:

The only 44-40 Derringer you're going to find is if you can convince BOND ARMS to make you a custom barrel set.  Best of luck with your endeavor.

PS:  As far as I know,  The only "large" Derringer was .41 rimfire.  An itty bitty cartridge.

[Abilene]

Why Coffinmaker I'm surprised you didn't suggest buying a. 45 Bond cheap from someone who didn't like the recoil and shoot 45 specials.with 130gr bullets 

[Hair Trigger Jim]

Why Coffinmaker I'm surprised you didn't suggest buying a. 45 Bond cheap from someone who didn't like the recoil and shoot 45 specials.with 130gr bullets 

And then, Coffinmaker, since you'd be suggesting shorter cartridges in those little barrels, you could even suggest shortening the barrels themselves by a half inch or so.  What could be better?

[Coffinmaker]

  Oh!! My Goodness!!

I think I feel a "Project" coming on!!  Yessiree BOB I do.  Abilene and Hair Trigger Jim have both forwarded absolutely fantabulous ideas.  Can't believe I didn't think 'em up my ownself!!  Show those measly little .41s who's da boss certainly would!!  Absolutely!!  Load 'em wit APP too.  At'll give a cloud of smoke you betcha!!

[fortyshooter]

Bond Arms? Never again after a new one I had in 45 Colt/.410 had the hammer blow off and slightly tag my face after only 30 rounds total thru it and that was a 410 shell that the hammer took off on!  Sent it back to Bond Arms and they repaired it but no mention of WHY. It broke at the thiness section where it is milled out for all the sliding firing pin action and it is a cast steel part. Still have the hammer after I traded it off.
Looking at a derringer a friend has in 44 Special and it could be reamed with a 44-40 chamber reamer to handle the 44-40 round. Just thought it would a nice 44-40 combo with my Winchester and the matching 6 shooter.

[Trailrider]

The original Remington O/U Double Derringers were .41RF Short. While a puny cartridge, in the days before anti-biotics it could kill you after awhile. I had a German-made one in .357 Mangle-em with a crossbolt safety, which I tended to carry with one shot-load and one 200 gr. .38 Spl. for snakes or skunks. Never had to use it, however.

[fortyshooter]

Enjoying the conversation!  I just placed an order to have one made in .44-40 thru American Derringer.

[Coffinmaker]

   WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE