Rifleman Q&A: Remington Model 51

by
posted on April 8, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
model51.jpg

Q: I recently purchased a Remington Model 51 from a friend’s estate. Unfortunately, he never gave me any background info on this pistol, and his wife knew nothing about it. There is an anchor-shaped insignia stamped on the right front side of the trigger guard as well as on the bottom of the grip behind the magazine well. Stamped on the magazine is “.380 ACP” and on the bottom an insignia that looks like “TT.” 

Could you provide a manufacture date and maybe any history that may be available?

A: The Model 51 was a pocket pistol designed by John D. Pedersen, who is more famous for the U.S. Army’s Pedersen Device for the Model 1903 rifle and his competition with John Garand in developing the replacement for the Model 1903. Pedersen had already worked with Remington on other arms, and had actually begun work on the Model 51 prior to World War I, however, he didn’t complete that design until 1919. The .380 ACP-chambered pistol was put into production that year with the first being completed in September. 

The pistol was very well made but expensive at $36.30 each. Its design was actually ahead of its time. It was promoted as being “self-aiming” due to its advanced approach to ergonomics and its “hesitation lock” mechanism that lessened recoil and allowed a lighter slide to be used. But its complexity meant high production costs, and competition for the pocket pistol market was fierce. Price reductions and the introduction of a .32 ACP version in 1921 did not lead to commercial success, and the pistol was discontinued in 1926. Only 64,796 pistols were made during its seven years of production.

No government agency is known to have adopted the design for official use, although a few may have been purchased less formally. The anchor mark you mentioned has led some to believe they were U.S. Navy arms, but the mark appears to be only a factory proof, inspection or assembly mark, as were marks such as the “TT” that you described.

—Charles W. Pate

Latest

Gotw Heritage 92 Web
Gotw Heritage 92 Web

Gun Of The Week: Heritage Manufacturing 92

American Rifleman staff are on the range with one of the most iconic lever-actions ever created, except this one has a bit of a plot twist—it is a model made overseas and imported by Heritage Manufacturing.

The Armed Citizen® July 25, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Victory In The Air: One Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver's Story

A primary source investigation into the service history of a Smith & Wesson Victory revolver used by the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Firearm Industry Responds To Aid Texas Flood Victims

Only a few days after the tragedy struck, two of the firearm industry’s foremost companies were raising funds for the victims and organizations dedicated to providing support through devastating floods in Texas.

I Have This Old Gun: Woodward .500 Express Double Rifle

Produced by J. Woodward & Sons at the end of the 19th century, this double rifle, chambered for the .500 Express cartridge, was tailor-made for dangerous-game hunting.

New For 2025: Springfield Armory Saint Victor Pistols In 5.56 NATO & 9 mm Luger

Springfield Armory added two new pistol variants to its popular Saint AR-15 lineup, and the new models are chambered for 5.56 NATO and 9 mm Luger, respectively.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.