THE MOST COPIED GUN EVER?

In late 1865 Dr. William Elliott patented a small over and under, double barrel pistol, which chambered a .41 calibre Rimfire cartridge. In 1866 this handgun became the Remington Double Derringer, which had one of the longest production runs of any gun in history, having been made from 1866 to 1937, with some 112,000 manufactured in three model variations. It operated as a single -action, with the hammer mounted firing pin setting itself to fire the lower and upper barrels sequentially.

To load or eject empties, the barrel release latch on the right side of the frame, just above the sheathed trigger, was swung forward. This allowed the barrels, which were attached to the frame by a hinge on the solid barrel rib, to swing upward. A small hand-operated extractor, mounted between the superposed barrels on the left side, could be moved rearward to eject the spent casing. The gun was available in blue or nickel finish with chequered black gutta percha grips. Apparently boxed sets, engraving and grips of ivory, pearl and walnut were also available.

The little gun was feared, not that its .41 Rimfire cartridge had a lot of knockdown power, but at close range, could inflict a severe wound with its outside-lubricated 130-grain bullet. Death was more often caused by infection!

Amazingly ‘copies’ of this design have been produced ever since – and are still in production today, albeit using modern methods and metals but still essentially the gun that Dr Elliot patented in 1865….

For sale here today is a nicely boxed antique Remington copy – but by whom… See Pics.

Looking at the gun in profile, the shape has several slight differences to the original; notice the front sight, the hammer and most significantly the design of the hinge arrangement – the Achilles heal of the Remington design – and the longer spur trigger. It seems to be devoid of any markings – there may be assembly numbers on internal parts, but externally - nothing. The Belgians liberally plaster their creations with proof stampings inspectors and sub assembler’s marks etc, and it is very unusual for something not to have survived, even if it is unreadable. So I do not think it is Belgian… See Pics.

The Spanish are next favourite, as most of their guns were unmarked, and Spanish proof marks did not become compulsory until 1923. There may have been some marking originally, as this gun is showing the remnants of an engraved barrel and frame, that are well worn – but if I can see that then I would expect to see some remnant of makers mark. The clue, as is so often the case with Spanish guns is the distinctive grips – and I think they are beautiful! Grips of this ‘simulated ivory’ type are found on Spanish made Derringer copies, particularly by Louis Crucelegui, one of the founders of the Crucelegui arms making family of Eibar, culminating in about 1916 with Crucelegui Hermanos (Brothers). This firm specialized in revolvers, rare for the Eibar region where small semi automatic pistols were made in enormous quantities before WWII.
Crucelegui Hermanos closed bankrupt in 1925, although the name was revived in 1939, but the activity limited to the production of shotguns.

Louis’s workshops (employing three men) produced arms from about 1890 to 1910 – he died in 1920.

As well as the distinctive grips, the Louis Crucelegui Derringers also generally sported the longer trigger spur. Most notable of his ‘copies’ are the self ejecting variants (still with these type grips) which were subject of his patent No. 44553 (1909) by "an appliance ejector cartridge."

I believe this is one of his earlier production derringers – produced in the 1890’s – but certainly prior to 1909. The only knowledge I have of the history of this gun is that it came from South America – which does tend to add credence to the Spanish connection.

This is a gun that has seen considerable use and some hard winters - cosmetically the gun retains most of a well worn and polished nickel finish blending and flaking in parts to the polished steel beneath, and it exhibits the dings and scratches that come with age and use. See Pics. When new it would have sported an engraved barrel and frame – and the ‘swirl’ of the remnants remain. On balance I think this is probably the original finish. The trigger, hammer and lever etc, retain varying degrees of fading blue, some I think may have been refinished, but it looks like long, long ago…

The beautiful grips are ‘simulated ivory’ and carry the use of over 100 year gracefully, with some small chips and cracks and highlights of wear from much handling. This age/use patina cannot really be replicated – and in my humble opinion these grips are charming. See Pics

The barrel to frame lockup – usually the weak point on Remington derringers because of the weak hinges is ‘Rock Solid’ no movement at all

- and the hinges show no signs of failure, however under my magnifying glass there looks to be a partial hairline crack on one side – but it is not through the hinge and the latter does not flex when the barrel assembly is opened. Lever release and ejection system are fine. The barrels have the expected pitting with still clearly discernable rifling. See Pics.

The oscillating firing pin works correctly and you can clearly see it moving up and down then you cock the hammer.

Prospective purchasers should note the action, while functional, is poor – removal of the grips reveal the cause. See Pics. The mainspring - to use technical speak is ‘buggared’ - and has been augmented by a compression spring, giving enough power to (just) operate the action. Great pity – but I think with the correct spring fitted it would function perfectly. The separate firing pin spring seems original and fine.

The case, I think post dates the pistol, it is in excellent condition and the form fitted red velvet lined interior is fitted for a Remington Derringer – I think it is American - and indeed once held an original Remington pistol. See Pics.

I would estimate its age as early 20^th century, it is solid with very few blemishes and has a functional lock - and a key! See Pics

This pistol is chambered for the .41 Rimfire cartridge - this is an obsolete calibre as defined by UK law, and this pistol is regarded as an antique as long as it is held as a curiously or ornament and no licence is required.

Charming set.

As always – no reserve.

Any questions gladly answered.

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