I am stumped v. 2 Remington?

[Dr.Rob]

This single shot .22 cal derringer reminds me of a Remington Rider. BUT.. NO MARKINGS ANYWHERE. I suspect it's a Belgian copy. Straight through bore of 22 cal is dark and pitted, evidence of black powder cartridges. Cocking it is a strange, the motion is more DOWN than back, spring is very strong. In FACT, I can't fathom how a round would stay in place. 22 short falls out, 22 LR fits a little better. Don't worry I didn't fire it. Traces of nickel plate on sides and back strap suggest it was fully plated. Ideas?

 

[Dr.Rob]

You can see the bore damage, and the remains of nickel plate.

Value? Ideas?

 

[303tom]

I would say that is a Remington-Elliot .22 cal. "Vest Pocket Derringer" !...............

 

[Dr.Rob]

Ok that one is a lock. Ordered a book on those.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I can't find a source for dates of mfg. Serial number is 663

 

[Jim Watson]

Remington Vest Pocket Pistol. 1865-1868
The Rider and Elliot derringers were somewhat different.

Flayderman says "Early production completely unmarked."

 

[Jim K]

Yep, that is the Remington Vest Pocket. The reason the mainspring is strong is because the gun uses the Flobert system where the hammer is the breechblock. In other words, only the inertia of the hammer keeps the lid on and keeps the case from blowing back out of the chamber and hitting the shooter in the face.

With a rifle, the hammer could have more mass, but on that tiny pistol, they had to beef up the mainspring. DO NOT fire .22 LR in that gun. If you feel you have to, get ready to duck pretty fast before you get the empty case in the eye!

Jim

 

[Dr.Rob]

I found that note in Flayderman's too.

The book I bought doesn't give an 'exact date' of MFG. SOME (as in a handful to prototype and patent) may have been made as early as 1863, but suggests they didn't go 'into production' until after the end of the civil war. So 1865 is the most likely 'start date' of the 22 cal versions. But the 'number of pistols made per year' is fuzzy at best. I suspect I have an 1865 mfg'd piece, given the low number and lack of markings.