Gun show find today. Please share any info. Remington Derringer

[TheHobbyist]

Hope everyone is having a good day. I went to a gun show today...not much that got my attention. Prices were very high on, well, everything basically. Maybe it's the new market pricing--who knows.

Had some good chats with friends that have had tables over the years and some other collectors. Might go back tomorrow to pick up a theatre-made knife from WWII. I feel I should have bought it but forgot, after I got sidetracked.

There was a seller I have not seen in several years, really nice guy and he always had (has) very interesting and high-quality items, be it engraved firearms, bowie's; really, I couldn't comment on all of his items displayed, other than to say, he has broad interests and I admire his collection.

Anyways, was going to leave and missed one corner of the show and there he was. We chatted a bit and I told him how I always admired his wares (early S&W pearl grips, ivory, Colt in the same material on and on).

Long story short, I bought the Remington Derringer shown in the photos from him. Any information is appreciated, he told me .41 Remington and that's about all I know. He told me it fires and I function checked so it technically would work, but I will not obviously fire it. Just interested in the history and the old West, being the reason for purchase. Kind regards, TH.

 

[ralph7]

Shoots the long discontinued 41 rimfire. I heard it is not wise to shoot at a hard object like a tree because the bullet may just bounce off and back at you.
Neat old gun!

 

[TheHobbyist]

It is more a curiosity and old west item; just an interesting and fun paperweight.

 

[DWalt]

Yes, the Remington double Deringers are more an interesting "wild west" curio than anything else. .41 Short RF Ammunition is difficult to come by, but not impossible to find. These are frequently seen with the barrel hinge(s) broken. Here is a brief writeup about them from the American Rifleman: Remington .41 Double Derringer | An Official Journal Of The NRA

 

[Speedo2]

I had one; have since passed it along to one of my kids, SN L92285; marked "REMINGTON ARMS UMC CO. ILION NY" on its center rib. Mfg'd in 1922 according to the Remington history site. I got a box of Navy Arms retro ammo (mfg'd back around 1990 IIRC) for it when I bought it, but I never fired the thing for fear of damaging the top-side hinge. I could occasionally find older 41RF boxes at some of the local gun shows, but again never fired the stuff. Neat old gambler's pocket ace. -S2

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice!

 

[diyj98]

Nice find. You often find these with a cracked hinge. From the photos your's looked undamaged.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Regardless of modern social commentary, the .41 Rim-Fire out of a derringer was fully capable of penetrating a suit coat, wool vest, undershirt, skin, fat layer, muscle layer and deep into the squishy bits.

 

[Mbrgr1]

Regardless of modern social commentary, the .41 Rim-Fire out of a derringer was fully capable of penetrating a suit coat, wool vest, undershirt, skin, fat layer, muscle layer and deep into the squishy bits.

Oh my yes! When the old west scrounger used to sell ammo for these, I shot mine regularly and yes, you would not want to be on the receiving end at close distance.


Brilliant pocket gun. Congrats.

 

[30-30remchester]

I never owned one but I did buy a box and a half of ammo at a yard sale at a retired game wardens house.

 

[diyj98]

Oh my yes! When the old west scrounger used to sell ammo for these, I shot mine regularly and yes, you would not want to be on the receiving end at close distance.


Brilliant pocket gun. Congrats.

Not quite up with the 32 acp in energy, but I agree it would certainly hurt!

 

[sigp220.45]

Very nice!

After years of wanting one but talking myself out of it, I finally bought one a month or so ago, repaired hinge and all. Its sitting next to me now.

 

[vinn]

i have seen several with a cracked hinge. i would buy one if the price were right. i did buy a modern copy, steel in .38 special years ago. it looked the same as an original and shot very well.

 

[jimmyj]

In the early 1960s I had one made by "Great Western" in 38 spl. caliber.
At 25 yards I could keep both shots in the kill area of a B27 target.

 

[merl67]

Looks to be a good one as others have said the hinge is the weak link in these yours looks in great shape for the age. I have seen more than a few with the hinge cracked.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a gorgeous one, nickel, and a full box of 41 Rimfire ammunition. I'll let my heirs play with it; for me it's just a safe queen.


I'll take a picture next time it's out of the safe.

 

[Mblhopo]

I have one in nickel with Ivory grips and 200rnds of ammo, also I have a rare Lawrence hand carved 95 holster for it...It shoots good and I have carried it lots of times.......Feel well armed in close quarters...............................M*

 

[Wyo]

Seeing one of those guns always reminds me of the old story of the cowboy and the gambler who got into it over a hand of cards back in the day. They adjourned to the street to settle their differences at a distance of 50' or so. The gambler drew his derringer from his vest pocket. The cowboy looked at it for a second or two, then drew his Colt SAA .45 from his holster, pointed it toward the gambler and said "Here, bring that little thing over here and let it suck."

 

[4thAlabama]

When the Philippines were about to fall to the Japanese in 1942, the only gun that GEN MacArthur had was a Remington .41. Supposedly, he had aides running all over to find him some ammunition for it in case he was about to be captured, he could save himself the embarrassment and shame. Lucky for him, he was ordered out to Australia before the fall.

 

[DeafSmith]

Be careful loading it and handling it... it is NOT drop safe.