Early Remington auto

[ithacaartist]

I visited the place of a hoarder/antique/collectibles dealer this past weekend and in conversation with the owner's son, was told a friend of his had an early Remington semi-auto pistol of some sort. The question was how to field strip it, but I had no idea what pistol it might actually be. The other comment was that this model was designed/built to participate in US military test trials, but came out too late to be tested/considered. The tale goes further--that there is one YouTube video that shows how to break the gun down, whatever it might be.

I tried some Googling to see if I could find any reference to it online. This research turned up nothing, unless it is the Model 51. However, the Model 51 was produced in .380 and .32 auto, which would definitely NOT have been calibers the army was interested in; so this is at least one contradiction within this yarn.

Anyone able to shed further light on the subject?

D.P.

[Olle]

Seems like there was a Remington 53, a version of the 51. Found this on Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Model_510 ):

Despite its shortcomings, the design was recommended for adoption by the Army Board during the First World War as the scaled-up .45 caliber Remington Model 53. Testing of the prototype against production M1911 showed the Remington design to be more reliable.[5] Initially, Remington demanded a large amount of money up-front to tool-up for the gun, but negotiations were cut short by America's entrance into World War I.

[BogeyB]

It's my understanding that the Model 53 was a prototype .45 ACP, built for the Navy in 1918. The war ended, and the Navy cancelled the contract. John Pedersen downsized the gun to .32/.380 to compete with the Colt 1903/08. The Navy did purchase some 51's in the '20's for corrier guns. They are stamped US Property and E.E.C. for the Remington inspector.

Mike

[ithacaartist]

Interesting articles on Wiki..a good start.

Mike, any idea how many M 53s were produced and what, generally, became of them?

[Patronen]

David,
Try contacting the Remington plant and Museum in Ilion, N.Y..
Maybe they have some info or you could get lucky and they have one of the prototypes on display and or pics of it. I contacted them by e-mail with a question a couple of years ago and they answered it for me within a day. It's Worth a try.

[BogeyB]

Everything I've read about the Model 53, was that only one prototype was built.

Mike

[John Sabato]

I'll bet the model 53 would have been a great .45 pistol.

I owned a model 51 in .380 when I was 21 years old... I traded it a couple of years later as part trade for my S&W .44 Magnum Model 29. The S&W is a great gun, and I still have it, but I have regretted trading the Remington 51 ever since...

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

I'll bet the model 53 would have been a great .45 pistol.

Yeah, John, from what I've been reading, the locking Pederson system was just the thing for the .45 ACP's power, and mechanically quite excellent. It may well have turned out to be what the 1911 is, had it been produced/tested in time!

[ripcord810]

Came across this a short while ago and thought some might be interested.
http://www.auctionzip.com/aflive.htm...7F2EF0A&seq=22

[BogeyB]

I have three, an early, mid and late production. They all soot great. It would have made a great .45!!

Mike

[GySgt1811]

I found this on a Russian Site.

http://ru.althistory.wikia.com/wiki/Remington_Model_53

Note the picture. A caption within the picture, in English, states that the only Mod. 53 ever made resides at the Remington Factory.

Neat looking gun. I would love to see how its operation differs from a Browning, et al.

Regards,

Gunny John

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by Patronen

David,
Try contacting the Remington plant and Museum in Ilion, N.Y..
Maybe they have some info or you could get lucky and they have one of the prototypes on display and or pics of it. I contacted them by e-mail with a question a couple of years ago and they answered it for me within a day. It's Worth a try.

Dave,

I just completed a similar experience as I opened the inbox this morn. Here's the reply.

Dear Mr. Parker,

The Model 53 chambered for the .45 ACP, was manufactured and shot at the Savage Range to compete with the Colt .45, Hammond .45 and Remington .380; this was a U.S. Navy test and took place during 1920. The firearm was not accepted; therefore, the Model 53 project never got into complete development, no further Model 53’s were manufactured and the only specimen is now located in the museum.

Thank you for visiting Remington Country! We certainly appreciate you taking the time to write in with your question.

Should you have additional questions, please feel free to contact our Consumer Services Department at 800-243-9700, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.

[John Sabato]

You should ask them for photos... the worst they can say is NO...

[Patronen]

David,
Remington is a first class act in my book by them taking the time to answer these questions. It was good to hear the history and fate of the model 53 right from them. On a side note and a little off topic, I think highly of them for making right a wrong really fast a few years ago with someone I know with regards to a newly purchased shotgun that was defective.

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

You should ask them for photos... the worst they can say is NO...

John,

Oops, I could have, you're right... Guess I didn't because I'm close enough to check out the museum in person, thinking maybe this summer. I'll try not to forget to snap some pics, if allowed.

[John Sabato]

Try Email.. they may have some photos already for inventory/catalog purposes... I would love to see the .45 version...