Guns International #: 103044549
Seller's Inventory #: BP25-

Category - Remington Pistols - Antique - Remington Derringers

Category
Remington Pistols - Antique
Remington Derringers

RARE 1862 Remington Elliot ZIG-ZAG 6-Shot Pepperbox Derringer .22 Short RF * Remington's 1st Cartridge Gun / 100% Original!!! *

Description:
RARE!!!! This is a very cool Remington "Zig Zag" pepperbox derringer that is 100% matching, all-original, and 100% FUNCTIONAL!.  There were less than 1000 made in 1861 and 1862, so there are very few surviving specimens today in ANY condition.  This one is a totally original example that was factory Silver plating (real Silver plating) with a gloss-blued barrel cluster, and it still retains a decent amount of that silver plating in various places on the frame assembly, particularly in the protected areas.  The barrels are devoid of gloss blue finish, showing a gray and dark gray patina.  The brass bead sights are all still intact, located on the rib between each barrel, and they match up with a slot-type rear sight cut into the top of the recoil shield at the rear of the frame.  The grips on this zig Zag are original and stamped with the serial number on the back of both panels.  Other than a very small chip at the lower front corner of the right grip panel, they are fully-intact and in good condition. As mentioned earlier, this rare little Remington Elliot Zig Zag is 100% functional, and while it SHOULD NOT BE FIRED due to it's age and the metallurgy used, there appears to be no reason why it would not function just as it did when it left the factory in 1862.
     Regarding the description of the design of this little pocket pistol, Wikipedia states:
"The Remington Zig-Zag Derringer, or "Pepper Box", originally termed "Elliot's Pocket Revolver", was made 1861–1862 with fewer than 1,000 manufactured.  A 6-shot 22 rimfire short, this was Remington's first firearm designed for a metallic cartridge. Smith & Wesson patented the rim fire cartridge on August 8, 1854 patent number 11496. The patent was reissued in 1860. Six-Shot 3-3/16 barrel cluster with Zig-Zag grooves at the breech-end, working with diamond-shaped key extending in the interior from the ring trigger to provide the revolving mechanism of the barrels.[2]
The Remington Zig-Zag Derringer is a double action derringer with a concealed hammer which is contained within the grip frame. The lever behind the ring is lifted to return the ring without firing and pushed down to release the barrel group to allow loading through a port in the breech of the frame. The grips are made of hard rubber (Gutta percha) and ivory being the only known other original. Blue or Silver finish (not nickel) or combination of both. Blue with silver frame or blue being most common and silver barrels more scarce. Screws can enter from either the left or right, mainspring set screw, none, or hole without threads present, throughout the serial number distribution with no apparent continuity. Serial number is on the frame under left grip.[2]  Extensive study has identified approximately 140 known examples, being that this model has quite a delicate mechanism and was replaced by the Remington-Elliot Derringer "New Repeating Pistol" even before all were assembled, the survival rate of this model is expected to be quite low"

     While the number of surviving examples can be debated, it is very clear that there are very few left as a result of the intricate operating mechanism failing, and the time period in which it was manufactured over 163 years ago.  We can also assume that a large number of the guns built were likely carried in the Civil War, which would have further increased the failure rate of the firing mechanism when exposed to combat conditions in the 1860's.  It can also be assumed a large percentage were lost or destroyed from impacts common in open warfare.
     Whether you are a collector of antique pistols, a collector of Civil War era weapons, or a collector of Remington firearms, this very rare Remington Zig Zag would be a superb addition to your collection.  There are not many antique American cartridge pistols out there that can top this one in rarity or cool-factor, and the fact that it has connections to the American Civil War make it that much neater.  It would also be EXTREMELY HARD to find an example of one of these in better condition that isn't 4 or 5 times the price either  Most of what we have been able to find is non-functional, refinished, or no longer original.  If you have been trying to find one of these, here is your chance to get a really nice all-original, 100% functional example at a GREAT price!   
     


 

Handgun Caliber: .22 Short
Manufacturer: Remington Elliot
Model: Zig Zag
Serial Number: 604
Condition: Good
Bore Condition: Average
Action: Double Action Only Multi-Barrel Pepperbox
Finish: Factory Silver-plated / Gloss Blued barrels
Manufacture Date: 1862

Price: $2,995.00
Shipping: $40.00