Remington derringer

Byron Quick · December 14, 1999, 09:38 PM

I have an old Remington derringer. It is a rimfire that I believe has a .41 caliber bore. The only marking is on the top rib: Remington Arms Co. Ilion, NY. I vaguely remember seeing a couple of rounds for this derringer as a child. It seems the casings were made of copper instead of brass. Any ideas what I've got? The derringer has no finish but no rust. It's not going anywhere for it belonged to my great grandfather. The only heirloom I have.

------------------
Byron Quick

Jim V · December 14, 1999, 11:52 PM

Yep, it should be .41 RF. I think Navy Arms has ammo in stock if you want to shoot it.

It should be a o/u double bbl. pistol which opens by swinging the barrels upward from the breech.

There were several things that made them not the greatest pistol for defense, the round was a real pipsqueek, and the pistol wanted to land on its hammer with the barrels facing the person that dropped the gun.

------------------
Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

Byron Quick · December 15, 1999, 03:01 AM

That's it, Jim. A succinct description of the balance. Do you know what years the derringer was produced?

------------------
Byron Quick

**Mal H** · December 15, 1999, 03:12 AM

Spartacus, according to the old Blue Book, you have a Rem. Over and Under Derringer Type Three. They were made from 1888 to 1911. Value ranges from $200 (10%) to $750 (95%).

Byron Quick · December 15, 1999, 03:24 AM

Thanks, Mal and Jim. That's most of what I need to know.

------------------
Byron Quick

James K · December 15, 1999, 10:57 AM

Another thing you need to know. Don't shoot it, even with low power ammo. Those derringers tend to break at the top lug where the screw goes through, and they are then not feasbily repairable. Keep it for an heirloom but buy a better gun for shooting.

Jim

Glenn E. Meyer · December 15, 1999, 12:15 PM

Mal H - I think the Remington pattern
was produced later than 1911 - into
the 1930s if I recall.
www.oldguns.com - Jim Supica's site says
production was till 1935

**Mal H** · December 15, 1999, 12:51 PM

Glenn, indeed it was. The Type 4 was produced until 1934 but it was marked differently. We are talking about Spartacus' derringer and that models years are as stated above.

Also, Spartacus, FYI the finishes available were blued or nickel. I don't know if you can tell which one you have. I have seen old blued guns where the bluing is completely gone and it is hard to tell what the original finish was.

Glenn E. Meyer · December 15, 1999, 03:42 PM

Mal H - you are correct! Didn't pay
attention to the type. Duh!

Byron Quick · December 16, 1999, 01:45 AM

Jim, one of the two top lugs is already broken so I was not really tempted to shoot it but thanks for the tip.

Mal, ALL of the original finish is gone from this derringer but I would think it was blued. Mainly because I've never seen a nickel plated gun with all of the finish gone. There always seems to be a patch or two left.

------------------
Byron Quick

December 14, 1999, 09:38 PM	#1
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	I have an old Remington derringer. It is a rimfire that I believe has a .41 caliber bore. The only marking is on the top rib: Remington Arms Co. Ilion, NY. I vaguely remember seeing a couple of rounds for this derringer as a child. It seems the casings were made of copper instead of brass. Any ideas what I've got? The derringer has no finish but no rust. It's not going anywhere for it belonged to my great grandfather. The only heirloom I have. ------------------ Byron Quick

December 14, 1999, 11:52 PM	#2
Jim V Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 1999 Location: SE Michigan - USA Posts: 4,038	Yep, it should be .41 RF. I think Navy Arms has ammo in stock if you want to shoot it. It should be a o/u double bbl. pistol which opens by swinging the barrels upward from the breech. There were several things that made them not the greatest pistol for defense, the round was a real pipsqueek, and the pistol wanted to land on its hammer with the barrels facing the person that dropped the gun. ------------------ Ne Conjuge Nobiscum "If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"

December 15, 1999, 03:01 AM	#3
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	That's it, Jim. A succinct description of the balance. Do you know what years the derringer was produced? ------------------ Byron Quick

December 15, 1999, 03:12 AM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	Spartacus, according to the old Blue Book, you have a Rem. Over and Under Derringer Type Three. They were made from 1888 to 1911. Value ranges from $200 (10%) to $750 (95%).

December 15, 1999, 03:24 AM	#5
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	Thanks, Mal and Jim. That's most of what I need to know. ------------------ Byron Quick

December 15, 1999, 10:57 AM	#6
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Another thing you need to know. Don't shoot it, even with low power ammo. Those derringers tend to break at the top lug where the screw goes through, and they are then not feasbily repairable. Keep it for an heirloom but buy a better gun for shooting. Jim

December 15, 1999, 12:15 PM	#7
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Mal H - I think the Remington pattern was produced later than 1911 - into the 1930s if I recall. www.oldguns.com - Jim Supica's site says production was till 1935

December 15, 1999, 12:51 PM	#8
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	Glenn, indeed it was. The Type 4 was produced until 1934 but it was marked differently. We are talking about Spartacus' derringer and that models years are as stated above. Also, Spartacus, FYI the finishes available were blued or nickel. I don't know if you can tell which one you have. I have seen old blued guns where the bluing is completely gone and it is hard to tell what the original finish was.

December 15, 1999, 03:42 PM	#9
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Mal H - you are correct! Didn't pay attention to the type. Duh!

December 16, 1999, 01:45 AM	#10
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	Jim, one of the two top lugs is already broken so I was not really tempted to shoot it but thanks for the tip. Mal, ALL of the original finish is gone from this derringer but I would think it was blued. Mainly because I've never seen a nickel plated gun with all of the finish gone. There always seems to be a patch or two left. ------------------ Byron Quick