Like many other major arms manufacturers, Remington sought to meet the growing demand for compact weapons that could be easily hidden in clothing pockets or luggage. In order to gain a competitive advantage in the arms market, the company has released several multiple-shot pistols. One of the first compact multiple-shot pistols was the Remington Zig-Zag Derringer pepper-box.
The Pepperbox Remington Zig-Zag Derringer is the first revolver prototype produced by E. Remington and Sons, chambered in a 0.22 rimfire short (.22 rimfire short) metal case.
Remington Zig-Zag Derringer consists of a frame, a block of barrels and a double-acting trigger mechanism. On the surface of the block of tables at the base, where the chambers are located, zigzag grooves are applied, which are part of the mechanism for turning and cocking the trigger. For this reason, the pistol was named "Zig-Zag".
The barrel block is mounted on the central axis and consists of six parallel barrel bores that rotate during firing. Barrel length 82 mm.
The Remington Zig-Zag Derringer pistol was designed by William H. Elliot, who was arguably the company's most prolific inventor at the time. Elliot's patents # 21188 of August 17, 1858 and # 28461 of May 29, 1860 became the basis for the construction of the Zig-Zag Derringer pepperbox.
The trigger mechanism of a hammer-type pistol. The inner hammer is cocked by moving the trigger ring forward and then backward.
When the arrow moves the ring, the barrel block rotates due to the interaction of the trigger lever with the zigzag grooves in the rear of the barrel block.
The "C" -shaped projection of the frame limits the backward movement of the escapement ring. The lower part of the handle is slightly widened and shaped like most American revolvers.
The sights of the Remington Zig-Zag Derringer pepperbox are sights that are placed on the stiffeners between the bore and the rear sight located in the breech of the frame.
The barrels of the barrel block of the pepperbox are rifled, which significantly increases the aiming range and effectiveness of the weapon.
In the rear of the pistol there is a hole for equipping the chambers with cartridges. The spent cartridges are removed through the same hole. At the bottom of the handle there is a mainspring force adjustment screw.
On the right side of the frame of the pistol there is a mark indicating the manufacturer "MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTON, S, ILION. N. Y."
On the left side of the frame are the patents "ELLIOT 'S PATENTS AUG.17.1858 MAY.29.1860".
Remington Zig-Zag Derringers were not only made with blued frames, barrels and hard rubber grip cheeks. Metal parts are chrome plated or silver plated. The grip cheeks were smooth and could be brown or black.
The most valuable Remington Zig-Zag Derringer pistols were engraved. For such pistols, the grip cheeks were made of ivory. In total, approximately 1,000 Remington Zig-Zag Derringer Pepperboxes were produced between 1861-1862. For this reason, the collection value of this weapon is quite high. The average price for a Remington Zig-Zag Derringer sometimes exceeds $ 3,500.
The Remington Zig-Zag Derringer could have been called a not very successful Elliot pistol, if not for the mass of interesting design solutions that were successfully embodied in subsequent models of both Remington itself and were used by other arms companies.
One of the most successful descendants of the Remington Zig-Zag pistol is the Webley-Fosbery revolver.
