New
Item #43594
Rare Preproduction Remington Model 51 Prototype Pistol
- Price: $4,995.00
- Maker: Remington
- Model: 51
- Caliber: .380 ACP
- Description: NSN, .380 ACP, 3 3/8" barrel with a very good, bright bore that has some mild freckling within the grooves. This is one of the prototypes made by Remington to finalize John Pedersens design for the Model 51 pistol. While outwardly similar to the production Model 51, this pistol is very different and incorporates the following differences: there is no barrel pin, instead the barrel is threaded into the frame at the breech (threads are visible at the ejection port); the barrel has a slight step at the muzzle rather than the grasping grooves of production pistols; the bolt has a cartridge guide lug opposite the extractor, with corresponding clearance cut on the barrel breech; there is no ejector on the frame, rather the ejector is integral to the magazine lip; there is no rollmark along the matted rib along the top of the slide (in fact there are no markings at all outside of the grips); the pistol does not have a magazine safety; and the magazine release is smooth. The metal retains about 70-75% of the original blue finish that has begun to turn smooth plum-brown, and also exhibits silvering along the raised edges and projections. There are some further spots of finish loss on the left side of the frame and slide, but no pitting. The checkered "REMINGTON / UMC" hard rubber grips are in fine shape, although the right panel has faded to a noticeably paler shade over time. These prototype Model 51s are very seldom encountered, and this example is in fine condition. It would make a splendid addition to any collection. FFL or C&R
