Double Derringer Monoblock

[Gav-n-Tn]

I have what I believe to be a museum quality piece. It's a Remington Model 95 monoblock in immaculate condition. I have also scoured the interweb and can not find another two-tone like this. I carefully removed the stocks and the serial numbers match (L75992) on the barrel and the frame. The insides are mint and so are the bores. The derringer locks up tight. I suspect it rarely seen life outside the safe.

[Gav-n-Tn]

I can only add three pictures per post it seems

[Gav-n-Tn]

I can only add three pictures per post it seems

[Gav-n-Tn]

I can only add three pictures per post it seems

[ChuckD]

Since this is late production, there should be a date code on the barrel locking lug.
My old eyes can't see if it shows in the photos.
If all original finish, it would be rare, but I can't tell from the photos.

[Gav-n-Tn]

It does have KD on the barrel lug. Assuming Remington used the same nomenclature on these derringers, that would mean May of 1935. Correct?

[ChuckD]

Yes, You are correct KD on your UMC Mono block is May of 1935.

[aardq]

Is the finish a dull, matte finish, or is it polished? If polished and original it would be a very rare gun indeed. No mono known was polished to a high sheen, they were only polished enough to remove manufacturing marks. If the gun has a bright blue, I'd suspect a refinish.

It was shipped in May 1935, but the factory only marked them when they were shipped so there is no way to know when it was actually made, other that it was part of the final batch. The last known to ship (Feb 1942) has a serial lower than your's but it sat in the factory longer.

[admin]

Post a large of the proofmark and if possible the top of the barrel.

[Gav-n-Tn]

Is the finish a dull, matte finish, or is it polished? If polished and original it would be a very rare gun indeed. No mono known was polished to a high sheen, they were only polished enough to remove manufacturing marks. If the gun has a bright blue, I'd suspect a refinish.

It was shipped in May 1935, but the factory only marked them when they were shipped so there is no way to know when it was actually made, other that it was part of the final batch. The last known to ship (Feb 1942) has a serial lower than your's but it sat in the factory longer.

I don't think it would qualify as polished.

I have since had the gun inspected by a certified firearms appraiser who agrees with me on 2 points:
A. It is the original finish
B. It retains 98% condition

My understanding is that this may be the only two tone monobloc known to have ever existed.

[aardq]

The photos show that the finish is polished, and not the matte finish. Without the gun in my hands, I'll say that the frame appears to be a refinish, and so do the barrels. In 1935, Rem was just shipping out old stock, and the KD is the shipping date, not the manufacturing date. Rem-UMC never made two-tone DDs, and if it was made on a special order, the gun would have been shipped as soon as it was made, not held in stock. It is a nice looking gun, but I disagree with the appraiser, and IMHO, all evidence is, that it is a refinish.
As a side note, the frames of the DDs turn a purple-brown when re-blued in modern hot blue tanks. Thus the frame is refinished in nickel, rather than re-blued.
Dan