POTD: Remington Did it First? The Remington Zig Zag Derringer
Sam.S 01.19.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a really neat and short-lived milestone by Remington. This is the Remington Zig Zag Derringer produced from 1861 to 1862. It has the prestigious distinction of being Remington’s first handgun to use metallic cartridges. Even though roughly 1000 were made they were produced in a six-shot model (like this 22-caliber one) and larger caliber four-barreled ones. They use a double-action mechanism with a ring trigger to actuate it. The trigger is slid forward which actuates a fly that rides in the cylinder grooves and rotates the barrels to alignment. When the barrel is slid backward the internal hammer drops on the cartridge and fires. To load, they break open on a hinge. The switch to open is located just under the hinge.
“Less than 1,000 manufactured from 1861-62.
Manufacturer: Remington Arms Inc
Model: Zig Zag
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 22 RF
Barrel: 3 3/16 inch cluster
Finish: nickel
Grip: hard rubber”
Lot 256: Scarce Remington Zig Zag Derringer. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1032/256/scarce-remington-zig-zag-derringer.
