Remington-Elliot Pepperbox Derringer
E. Remington & Sons · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1863
Also known as: Remington-Elliot Ring Trigger Derringer, Elliot's Repeating Pistol, Remington Elliot Pepperbox, Remington New Repeating Pistol
Overview
The Remington-Elliot Pepperbox Derringer is a compact multi-barrel repeating pocket pistol chambered in .22 Short rimfire. Designed by William H. Elliot and manufactured by E. Remington & Sons, the .22 model carries a fixed cluster of five 3-inch barrels fired in sequence by a distinctive ring trigger that, on each forward push, indexes and cocks a rotating internal firing pin against the next chamber. The barrel group tips up for loading and extraction. Small enough to be palmed, it was a popular self-defense derringer of the American frontier and Reconstruction eras.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 150 g (5.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 121 mm (4.76") |
| Barrel Length | 76 mm (2.99") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 213 m/s (699 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 43 J (32 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 5 m (5 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Iron |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Short · primary — also known as .22 Short, .22 Short Rimfire
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Manually Loaded Barrels
- Features: Five Barrel Cluster, Ring Trigger, Rotating Firing Pin, Tip Up Barrel Group, Fixed Barrels, Spur Trigger
Service history
Operators
- Civilian Market · adopted 1863
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,500 · Production years: 1863-1888
Approximately 25,000 Remington-Elliot ring-trigger derringers were produced across both the .22 and .32 rimfire chamberings, of which roughly 30 percent (about 7,500) were the five-shot .22 model.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: William H. Elliot
Discontinued: 1888
Notes
The .22 caliber model uses a five-shot round barrel cluster; the companion .32 rimfire model used a four-shot square cluster with a slightly longer barrel group. Weight is an approximate estimate for this pocket-sized derringer.
Background
William H. Elliot was a prolific inventor and dentist whose patents (dated May 29, 1860 and October 1, 1861) underpinned several of Remington's cartridge derringers, including the more famous Remington Double Derringer. The ring-trigger 'pepperbox' was among Remington's earliest metallic-cartridge repeating handguns, offering multiple quick shots from a package small enough to hide in a vest pocket.