Double barrel Derringer, USA 1866

Description of the Product

The original Philadephia Deringer was a muzzle-loaded, one-shot, pocket-sized, and easy-to-hide emergency weapon. It was designed by Henry Deringer in 1852, hence the name of the gun. For some reason, however, his name twisted into the form Derringer, which became the common name for a small pistol that could fit into a pocket or a palm, and even today modern small pistols are often referred to as derringers.

This derringer is a Remington 1866 Derringer, a double-barreled pocket pistol, often called either a Remington Model 95, a Double Derringer, or an Over & Under Derringer, or a combination of these. It is probably one of the most recognized firearms in the world, and even those with little interest in such things will recognize it as a “Derringer”. Together with the Colt SAA revolver and the Winchester 1873 rifle, these three have the strongest association with the American Wild West.

The Remington Double Derringer was manufactured from 1866 to 1935, well past the golden age of the Wild West, underlining its lasting popularity. In 1921, Remington adapted a number system for their models, at which point the 1866 Double Derringer became the Model 95. More than 150000 of these Derringers were manufactured from 1866 to 1935.

The Model 95 has a simple and elegant design, which was changed very little during a production run of nearly 70 years. These pistols were offered either with engravings, plain-blued, or nickel-plated, and with grips of metal, wood, hard rubber, ivory or mother-of-pearl. Our replica has the metal surfaces extensively engraved with flowing scroll. The frame has a gold-colored finish and the smooth imitation mother-of-pearl grip panels have an iridescent shine.

The two 3-inch barrels are connected to the compact frame by a top hinge at their rear, and secured by a pivoting latch on the right side of the frame. Swinging the latch 180-degrees down and forward frees the barrels to tip up at the hinge for loading and unloading.  The Model 95 used a .41 rimfire cartridge, which is no longer produced. The advantage offered by the Model 95 compared to its competition was that it offered the user two shots without a reload.  This was achieved by the patented pivoting firing pin, which automatically shifted between the upper and lower barrels every time the hammer was cocked.

Remington double barrel Derringers often played critical roles in Hollywood stories of the Wild West. For example John Wayne uses a Double Derringer hidden in his wallet to shoot a robber in the 1976 film The Shootist. In the movie For A Few Dollars More (1965) a Remington Model 1866 is used during a standoff. As a result these guns will forever be associated with the gamblers, outlaws and other scoundrels, at least on screen. Outside the Wild West the Remington 1866 Derringer can be seen for example in the 2004 adaptation of the Agatha Christie mystery Death on the Nile, which features this exact style of decoration of the famous pocket pistol.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size. The mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be opened, cocked and dry fired like a real one. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 13,5 cm
• Weight: 300 g
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-