Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Remington New Model Pocket revolver, serial number 25875, originally manufactured as a .31 caliber percussion arm and later converted to .32 Rimfire using a removable cartridge cylinder and backing plate. The revolver retains approximately 90% nickel finish on the frame and barrel, matching serial numbers on the barrel and frame, a matching numbered conversion cylinder and backing plate, walnut grips, and is accompanied by an unusually attractive japanned false book tin case bearing a Schuyler, Hartley & Graham label.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Remington New Model Pocket was a small frame five shot spur trigger revolver developed for the commercial pocket pistol market during the 1860s. Originally produced in .31 caliber percussion, examples were later adapted to metallic cartridge use, including .32 Rimfire configurations. The removable cylinder pin arrangement made the design particularly suitable for conversion by substituting a cartridge cylinder assembly.

This revolver has a 3 3/8" octagonal barrel and matching serial number:

25875

stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the frame beneath the grip.

The top barrel flat remains clearly marked:

PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858. MARCH 17 1863
E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. NEW YORK. U.S.A.
NEW MODEL

The revolver is presently chambered for .32 Rimfire and uses a removable conversion cylinder with separate backing plate. The rear of both the cylinder and backing plate is stamped:

3093

indicating that those two conversion components were matched to one another.

The conversion closely follows the early Remington factory style in which the percussion cylinder could be replaced by a cartridge cylinder and backing plate without extensive alteration to the basic frame. Remington did undertake cartridge conversions and also supplied conversion components, but the surviving markings alone do not establish with certainty whether this individual revolver was converted at the Remington factory or by another party using factory supplied parts. It is therefore described conservatively as a factory style conversion.

The revolver appears to have been nickel plated early in its life, with approximately 90% of the finish remaining on the frame and barrel. The crisp barrel address, including the slight raised edges around the stamped lettering, suggests that the finish was applied without later heavy polishing. The precise date and location of the nickel plating cannot be confirmed from the supplied evidence.

The cylinder retains somewhat less finish, approximately 75%, with larger areas of plating loss on one side. Those exposed areas show some oxidation and old peppering, but no major active rust or severe metal loss.

The walnut grip panels have an attractive color and appear to have been revarnished at some point. They show ordinary handling wear around the lower edges but no visible cracks, chips, or major repairs.

Mechanically, the revolver presently functions with a strong, smooth action and mainspring. The cylinder indexes correctly and locks firmly under normal operation, with a crisp hammer release. If the hammer is drawn back very rapidly, the cylinder can slightly over rotate. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the revolver is safe to load or fire.

The bore is in good condition with clearly visible rifling. There are areas of old oxidation and pitting, apparently resulting from insufficient cleaning after use, but the rifling remains distinct.

The revolver is housed in an unusual false book presentation tin measuring approximately 7" x 9 3/4" x 1 3/8". The exterior has an attractive japanned finish with embossed book style decoration, simulated page edges, and gilt detailing designed to resemble a bound volume.

The inside cover is marked:

MADE IN ENGLAND

and also carries a Schuyler, Hartley & Graham label. The interior is lined in burgundy fabric and fitted with a recess for the revolver as well as a compartment for a box of .32 Short cartridges. An included Winchester Repeating Arms Company cartridge box contains inert cartridges.

With its nickel finish, matching serial number 25875, Remington New Model markings, matching numbered .32 Rimfire conversion cylinder and backing plate, walnut grips, and elaborate false book tin case with Schuyler, Hartley & Graham label, this is an unusually complete and visually appealing example of a 19th century Remington pocket revolver conversion. The uncertain exact origin of the conversion and nickel finish, revarnished grips, cylinder plating loss, slight over rotation when cocked rapidly, and bore pitting are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Remington, metallic cartridge conversion, Schuyler, Hartley & Graham, 19th century pocket revolver, or advanced American firearms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1868-1870
Manufacturer: E. Remington & Sons
Model: New Model 1863 Pocket
Serial No.: 17706
Caliber: .32cal Short
Ammunition Type: Rimfire cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 3/8 inches
Overall Length: 7 5/8 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.