Derringer gun: device and specifications

The development of lands in the Wild West and the American gold rush caused the emergence of various kinds of adventurers in the United States. In search of a better life, they came here from overseas and were unwilling to be enriched at the expense of the local population, which, in turn, sought to protect themselves and their property. Great popularity with the consumer has acquired in this difficult time the weapon, intended for self-defense - "derringer". The gun proved to be an effective means of self-defense for those who led a peaceful life and did not want to become a victim of crimes.

origin of name

The Derringer gun was designed in the nineteenth century by the American gunsmith Henry Derringer, who owned an arms factory in the city of Philadelphia for the manufacture of flint pistols and rifles. Over time, immediately on the order of the US Armed Forces began to produce capsule rifles. The enterprise became the most famous after the release of a small single-shot pistol. The Philadelphia "derringer" gun was compact, very reliable and inexpensive. Due to this, he enjoyed great demand among the population of America. Weapons were intended for cartridges caliber 11, 2 mm. American actor John Booth of this pistol was shot by Abraham Lincoln.

What advantages did the weapon possess?

The Derringer pistol, despite its solid caliber, was very compact. Due to the short trunk and small handle, on which all fingers could not fit, the owners of the pistols managed to hide weapons in the pocket of their clothes.

disadvantages

The derringer gun did not have a high accuracy when firing. The range of damage from his bullet was also low. At the same time, this weapon was enough to get into the person sitting at the card table or in the stagecoach car.

The effectiveness of the gun

The weapons, designed by Henry Derringer, are not taken seriously today. But in the years of the "American fever", in conditions of poorly developed medicine, gunshot wounds from these pistols had sad consequences: getting into the body, a small and low-power bezolobochnaya bullet often brought into the wound a powder and a lubricant, causing sepsis. Therefore, this gun was often used as a serious argument in a dispute or conflict.

About Followers

The success of the weapons developed by Henry Derringer caused the emergence of his imitators, one of which are pistols designed by the former dentist William Eliot. Wanting to promote his goods, he used already promoted trademark. The term "derringer" today refers to any non-self-loading compact pistol. After the conclusion of Eliot's contract with the arms manufacturer Remington, a new pistol of the ruler "Remington Double Derringer" appeared on the shelves next to other civil weapons.

After the acquisition by William Elliott in 1865 of the patent No. 51440 for his firearm, he and Remington began design work to create a new derringer-type sample. In the period from 1866 to 1935. One hundred and fifty thousand units of Remington Double Derringer were produced.

Derringer pistol: device

The device of this pistol is represented by a frame and two barrels. They are located in the same vertical plane and are connected to each other in a single block. They are attached to the hinge at the top of the frame. On the right side of the gun there is a locking lever, which, when rotated, locks the lower projections of the barrel blocks.

The double-barrel pistol "derringer" is equipped with a non-self-operated single-action shock-trigger mechanism and a trigger that relates to an open type. Inside it is a flat hammer drummer. The pistols have special mechanisms that contain a spring and ratchet. During the shooting they provide a change in the position of the striker. After each platoon cocking the hammer is able to move and alternately strike blows on the capsules of the cartridges contained in the two trunks.

For the coil spring, the developers have a curved shape. The place of its location was the inner part of the handle, in which it is connected by means of a leash to the trigger. With the help of the ejector, the ejected cartridges are removed.

How was the pistol loaded and recharged?

In order to equip the weapon, the owner had to perform the following actions:

• Deploy the lever blocking the barrel blocks;
• Block lift;
• Charge two chambers ammunition;
• Return the block to the previous position;
• Turn the locking lever to lock the lower protrusion of the barrel;
• Cock cock.

After these actions, the gun is ready for shooting. Recharging was carried out after opening the locking bolt and retrieving the fired sleeves. For this purpose, an extractor was intended.

Features of external design

The Remington Double Derringer was produced in various versions. The "cheeks" of his handles could be made of wood - walnut and rosewood. Some masters used ivory to make cheeks. There were variants of pistols with usual handles containing simple rubberized diamond-shaped notches. In all cases, the handle of Remington Double Derringer pistols resembled a bird's head.

In the process of manufacturing of pistol frames and barrel blocks, the technicians used nickel and bluing techniques. On some individual copies there was a special coating for bronze and ornaments, which were applied by engraving. Due to special accessories and weapon cases, the convenience of concealed wearing of Remington Double Derringer was provided.

Performance Specifications Remington Double Derringer

• The size of the gun was 124 mm.
• The weight of the weapon is 312 grams.
• The bullet had an initial velocity of 210 m / sec.
• The rifled barrel had five left-handed notches.
• The bullet was equipped with black powder, the charge of which was 0.8 grams.
• Caliber cartridge - 41 mm.
• The function of the aiming devices was carried out by a fly and a rear sight. Their location was the top of the barrel unit.
• Country of origin - the United States.

Application

At the beginning of the Second World War in the United States, the production of compact pistols was discontinued. But the "derringers", along with revolvers and self-loading pistols used European partisans.

After the end of the war, an effective means, used for self-defense by card players, women of easy virtue, messengers, travelers and traders, became a derringer pistol for Flaubert's patron. Armory models of this class are also called "ladies". Often pocket policemen, as spare, were used by American policemen. Today, under the patron of Flaubert, revolvers are also being created. According to reviews, as an ideal, self-protection is the "derringer".

The signal pistol, used for starting fire, is very similar in appearance to the multi-barreled weapon of the "derringer" type of breakaway type. This, in the opinion of some owners, is another advantage of these pistols, because when meeting with patrol officers, the "combat" "derringer" can easily be imagined as a signaling one. Due to the simplicity of design, reliability and convenience in operation, the models of the derringer gun are very popular among a wide range of consumers.