Make: Remington

Model: 95 Double Deringer, Late Type I

Serial Number: 2715

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1868

Caliber: .41 Rimfire

Action Type: Single Action Over/Under Barreled Derringer with Tip-Up Barrels and Manual Extractor

Barrel Length: 3"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the barrel rib. The rear sight is a "U"-notch in the boss at the top rear of the barrel at the hinge.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth wood. The left panel has a long vertical interior crack, only visible below the grip screw on the exterior. The right panel has a more minor internal vertical crack across the screw hole, not visible on the exterior. The grips otherwise show light handling wear with some minor nicks and scratches. Overall, the grips are in Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bores are gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 5/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. The only remaining finish is on internal surfaces such as the water table and under the grip panels. Exterior surfaces have mostly worn to white. There is some scattered minor oxidation and erosion. The action shows operational wear. There are no cracks at the hinge. The markings are clear. The screwheads range from sharp to disfigured with a usable slot. Overall, the pistol rates in about Very Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Shortly after the American Civil War, a New York dentist-turned-firearms inventor named William H. Elliot designed a revolutionary pocket pistol to fire the .41 Short rimfire caliber metallic cartridge. At the time, it was the most powerful small handgun cartridge on the market. This compact but hard-hitting pistol was immediately embraced by riverboat gamblers, ladies of the night, messengers, travelers, shopkeepers and anyone else who needed an easily concealable, large-caliber weapon for self defense. Its novel design featured twin, over-and-under barrels that swung open from a top hinge for loading and cartridge extraction, a "spur" trigger and large, comfortable grips. This was one, but not the first, of the more than 130 firearms patents Dr. Elliot would be granted over the last half of the nineteenth century. The Elliot's Over/Under Derringers were made by Remington from 1867 to 1935, with the barrel address changing as the name of the company changed, and with the address moving from the web between the barrels to the top rib. They made over 150,000 and they were offered in either blue, nickel, or a combination of the two.

This is an example of a late production, Type I pistol, having a Remington and Sons marking on the top of the barrel and with an extractor. The pistol is in about Very Good condition, showing wear consistent with its age and consistent carry. The hinges on this one are intact and this will also be a great display piece with factory engraving on the frame and barrel. This is a good example of a vintage firearm of a type favored by gamblers, lawmen, and ladies of the night in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Please see our photos and good luck!