Old Model 51 Remington .380

[Armybrat]

Inherited this pistol that belonged to my wife’s grandfather (a prominent builder in Taylor, Texas) who carried it almost daily starting 100 years ago. He passed away in 1962. It still has the original box with papers & cleaning tool, but the box has completely fallen into pieces.
It has only one original magazine, so in March of last year I ordered two repro mags from Triple K in San Diego. They advised me it would be on back order for 6 months.
Lo & behold, their supplier finally came through and they arrived today! Can’t wait to try them out. The followers do have a different contour, so we’ll see if that affects feeding. They insert in the magwell a bit stiffly, but that should smooth out with use & cleaning.
(original magazine on the left in top photo)

Does anyone know who could put the box back together & restore it properly?

 

[Zendude]

Might give these guys in Houston a call.

https://lohmangunsmith.com/#

 

[Jim Watson]

There is discussion of box rebuilding on the S&W board. A couple of contacts named, but Randy's Toy Shop is horribly expensive and they don't say what Gary Lowe charges. There is some guidance on DIY.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha.../609476-box-repair.html?609476=#post140653288

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Neato, I love my M51.
Il be interested to see how the Cirkle-K mags work. Ive not had good luck with them in the past, so have resisted the urge to buy any for my Remington.
BTW, mine has been 100% reliable with FMJ from the factory magazine. Ive never tried to run a hollow point through it.

 

[bannockburn]

One of the true classics of "pocket pistol" designs!

 

[Patocazador]

I have 3 of the originals. One was unfired when I bought it and it came with the box and original paperwork. I especially liked the "modern" method they had of keeping track of guns and owners ... a small card file like public libraries used to use 60 years ago.

My box is still together but separating at the seams.

 

[Armybrat]

I have 3 of the originals. One was unfired when I bought it and it came with the box and original paperwork. I especially liked the "modern" method they had of keeping track of guns and owners ... a small card file like public libraries used to use 60 years ago.

My box is still together but separating at the seams.

The Penny postcard?
Yeah, that by itself is a collectible. Lol

 

[rust collector]

Still one of the most aesthetically pleasing pistols ever made. That made it doubly distressing that Remington Arms botched up the "improved" version design, the manufacture, and the legacy.

 

[Monac]

Ed Buffaloe has a good article about these at his "Unblinking Eye" website: https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Rem51/rem51.html

According to it, ArmyBrat's is what collectors call a Type I. NIGHTLORD40K's is a Type 2. The main difference is the slide serrations.

I also have a Model 51, and now I am going to have to look at the magazine, because what I assume is the factory magazine for ArmyBrat's has a follower that is different from most other automatic pistols. I didn't remember that about these guns. Thanks for putting up good pictures!

 

[Jim Watson]

If you see a .32, snap it up.
Unlike other pocket autos of its day, .380 was first and more common.

 

[Armybrat]

Yes, I think only about 30% of the production was .32 acp.

 

[AMraider]

Here is a Date of Manufacture list if the link works.

https://www.remingtonsociety.org/images/51ProductionFigures.jpg

Great pistols and fun to shoot. The Breech Block is prone to cracking and nearly impossible to find.

 

[Jeff olson]

My 32.