Stand_Watie
Member
More of a "vest pocket" gun than a miltary sidearm. Anybody know anything about this?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Remington 380. !920-something military officer pistol. Slim, Lightweight -
- Thread starter Stand_Watie
- Start date
- Status
-
Not open for further replies.
Jim Watson
Member
The Remington Model 51 came out in .380 ACP in 1918. It operates on a Pedersen design with an internal breechblock to give a retarded blowback or "hesitation" action. Pedersen is said to have molded modeling clay around a magazine to develop a comfortable grip. A .32 ACP version was added in later years, but never sold as many as the .380s, unusual for a pocket pistol.
In those days of baggy suits, it was considered a "pocket pistol." A vest pocket pistol was usually a .25.
Remington quit making them in 1934, reportedly because they could not compete on price with Colt and imports; and so decided to drop the pistols and concentrate on rifles and shotguns. As Savage had already done.
They are best considered collector's items. I have read that the internal breechblock is somewhat subject to cracking and there are NO spares. The one I had wouldn't feed hollowpoints anyway, so I traded it to a collector.
It was never a standardized US military officer's sidearm, I never heard of anybody in the service but Gen Patton carrying one. The anchor stamp mark seen on a lot of them was a Remington company proof mark and implies no connection with the Navy... for the .380.
The Remington Model 53 of the same Pedersen design but with outside hammer in .45 calibre was being considered in 1917 as a sidearm by the Navy but our entry into WW I stopped the project so the Navy and Marines had to make do with Colts and 1917 revolvers like the Army.
In those days of baggy suits, it was considered a "pocket pistol." A vest pocket pistol was usually a .25.
Remington quit making them in 1934, reportedly because they could not compete on price with Colt and imports; and so decided to drop the pistols and concentrate on rifles and shotguns. As Savage had already done.
They are best considered collector's items. I have read that the internal breechblock is somewhat subject to cracking and there are NO spares. The one I had wouldn't feed hollowpoints anyway, so I traded it to a collector.
It was never a standardized US military officer's sidearm, I never heard of anybody in the service but Gen Patton carrying one. The anchor stamp mark seen on a lot of them was a Remington company proof mark and implies no connection with the Navy... for the .380.
The Remington Model 53 of the same Pedersen design but with outside hammer in .45 calibre was being considered in 1917 as a sidearm by the Navy but our entry into WW I stopped the project so the Navy and Marines had to make do with Colts and 1917 revolvers like the Army.
- Status
-
Not open for further replies.