Remington Rider Single Shot Pistol

The Remington-Rider Single Shot Derringer Parlor Pistol was made by E. Remington and Sons between 1860 and 1863. Two hundred were produced.

Description

It is a .17 (4.3 mm) caliber pistol, featuring a three-inch (7.6 cm) brass barrel, a two-piece breech, a brass grip, wrapped in a silver plate finish.

No serial numbers or barrel markings were printed on the weapons. Fewer than 40 original examples are known to exist today, including two prototypes and several larger model examples.

It is the smallest Remington Pistol ever produced. Little is known of the reason for its manufacture.

This rare handgun was originally made in 1860 and was produced for only three years; the total estimated production quantity is less than two hundred. Not made for use with powder propellants, this diminutive sidearm launches 4.3 mm projectiles at surprisingly high velocities with the use of a percussion cap only.

On September 13, 1859, Joseph Rider was issued patent 25,470 for the Remington-Rider Pistol; this patent is commemorated by the gang stamp RIDER'S PT. SEPT 13, 1859 on the left side of the barrel. The frame, grips, and 3 inch barrel were integrally constructed of sand-cast brass. Some of the known examples have a natural bronze or silver plated finish; a few are engraved. Only one is known to be rifled; this one is also the most profusely engraved, inscribed and dated and is probably unique.

Purpose

These little pistols were intended to be a parlor target pistol and not a defensive weapon. They are designed for use with a percussion cap and lead shot, without gunpowder. There are two types of breech-pieces, about equal in frequency in existing production guns; all known prototypes have the one-piece design, which provides no cover to enclose the cap, and its locking lever is quite short. The two-piece design has a cone to hold the cap, a cover providing protection from the exploding cap, and a longer lever.

The majority of these pistols were sold in a tight-fitting cardboard box with the loading and cleaning directions on a label pasted inside the top lid.

At least one such pistol has been found with an instruction sheet with the following text:

PARLOR PISTOL
A NOVELTY IN THE LINE OF FIREARMS!
Percussion Caps and Shot the only Ammunition Required.

This specimen was found in an unlabeled box. Other known specimens are found with an inside top box label identifying the firearm which also includes the same directions for loading:

Cock the Pistol and raise the level connected with the breech-plug, with the muzzle elevated. Take out the Cone from the Breech-piece; put on the cap and replace the Cone. Drop the shot into the Barrel with the muzzle down; replace the Breech-piece and the Pistol is ready to fire.

The Shot should be of size No. 1 or a very little larger then the bore of the Barrel, and to insure the greatest accuracy and penetration, they should be slightly greased or wet. Percussion caps of right size for Rider’s, Beal’s or Colt’s Revolvers will be suitable for the Parlor Pistol. Should the Breech-piece become dry and inclined to stick, a drop of oil should be put on it, and it should also be oiled after firing, to prevent rusting.

No discussion of the Remington-Rider Parlor pistol would be complete without examining what are believed to be authentic prototypes and exceptions.