Henry Deringer
German firearm designer
About Henry Deringer
Lived 1756 – 1833 (aged 77). Henry Deringer was a German gunsmith.
Henry Deringer Sr. (born Heinrich Deringer; 1 January 1756 – 28 December 1833) was a German-American gunsmith. He was the father and mentor of Henry Deringer Jr., the inventor and namesake of the derringer pistol.
He was born on 1 January 1756 in Thuringia in the Holy Roman Empire and moved to America before the Revolutionary War. The surname Deringer stems from the German demonym for a resident of Thuringia, , which also gave rise to the surname Döringer (and its variant Doeringer).
Deringer's workshop produced several types of the highly regarded Kentucky rifle and Kentucky pistol using the flintlock action. Originally based in Richmond, Virginia,
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Henry Deringer?
German firearm designer
When was Henry Deringer born?
Henry Deringer was born on 1 January 1756 in Thuringia.
When did Henry Deringer die?
Henry Deringer died on 28 December 1833 in Easton.
What was Henry Deringer's occupation?
Henry Deringer was a gunsmith.
What nationality was Henry Deringer?
Henry Deringer was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Deringer. https://biography.guide/henry-deringer-gunsmith/
MLA: "Henry Deringer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-deringer-gunsmith/.
Chicago: "Henry Deringer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-deringer-gunsmith/.
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