Holyoake-Lownes of Memphis, Tennessee was an importer of English made
derringer type guns with his name surcharged on the barrel. I have heard
of one gun only with this marking and it of course has English proof
marks but has positive features of a genuine Henry Deringer gun.
A description of the only known gun is as follows: The round barrel with
the rib on top is rifled and is caliber .490. Barrel length is 3⅝” and
the overall length is 7¾”. Two silver bands at breech. Oval silver wedge
escutcheons. Monogram plate in the shape of a rectangle with clipped
corners. German silver fore end cap is made for loading rod. Eight
cornered daisy design German silver butt cap.
This company advertised guns for sale in the “Memphis Daily Appeal” of
Wednesday, May 4, 1853.
The top flat of the barrel is marked in one line with one die stamp
“Holyoake-Lownes & Co. Memphis.”