Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely nickel plated example of a Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver, which was made at the very end of the Civil War. The markings are quite crisp, so it may have been a factory plating job, or possibly done right after it was purchased. Like all New Models, it is a .44 caliber percussion, 6 shot single action revolver, with an 8-inch octagon barrel. These were often called the Model 1858 due to the patent dates, but production of this revision started in 1863, and the "New Model Army" is the correct designation from Remington. The top of the octagonal barrel still shows the original markings clearly:

Overall condition is very good, with the nickel finish well retained, with lost plating and oxidation around the usual areas such as the cylinder and grip. The revolver has a very nice set of walnut grips, which look to be original and have a lovely worn look. When checking the serial number we did notice that it looks like both have had repaired cracks and other damage in the past.

The front sight on the revolver looks to have been replaced, possibly with a handmade replacement, as it is rather crude. The loading rammer also has had the front latch replaced as well. The bore of the barrel is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish. There is just a bit of over all wear and some oxidation and fouling in the grooves. This is extremely rare to see on a percussion revolver of this age, as they used corrosive black powder. The action also functions great, cycling crisply with great indexing and a solid cylinder lockup. The cap nipple cones are all in good shape, showing the expected oxidation from use and age. All six are still clear, though may have been replaced, as they have quite a large aperture compared to the usual Remington made examples.

This revolver has matching serial number 123810 appearing on the underside of the barrel and on the frame under the grip. The cylinder is not marked on the rear, and does not show much wear, so the cylinder may have been replaced, or simply never marked. There is no marking on the cylinder arbor pin or loading rammer. Unlike Colt, Remington did not always number every component of their guns, and the cylinder serial number was on the back, where it would be worn off quickly by powder burn.

Research shows that this revolver was manufactured in mid-late 1863, making this a true Civil War gun and perfect for any collection. Production had begun around serial number 15,000 in 1863. According to the research published in Remington Army & Navy Revolvers 1861-1868 by Donald L. Ware, Remington revolvers through serial #149,000 were accepted prior to the end of the Civil War. Guns below serial #123,000 were accepted prior to the end of 1864. This gun was probably accepted very early in 1865, or was sold commercially.

In very good condition with a great nickel plated finish look, this revolver will make a fine addition to any U.S. Civil War collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: early 1865
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

History of Remington New Model Army Revolver:

Remington, like Colt, was in business of arms making long prior to the Civil War. They had been producing handguns since 1857 when they introduced the Remington Beals Pocket Revolver. With the outbreak of the Civil War all of the company's energy became devoted to the military production of longarms and hand guns. The martial hand guns produced during the Civil War period included the Remington-Beals Army and Navy Model revolvers, the Remington Models 1861 Army and Navy Revolvers, (a.k.a. as the "Old Model Army" and "Old Model Navy") and the Remington New Model 1863 Army and Navy revolvers.

The Remington New Model 1863 Army Revolver represents Remington's highest production martial pistol. Approximately 126,000 were manufactured from 1863 to 1875. After Colt, it was the Northern government's most purchased and issued pistol. Serial numbers of the New Model Army continued from the Model 1861 Army. Reference sources estimate this change from between serial number 15000 (Flayderman) to 22000 (Reilly). This is probably due to a long transitional period in which there was a gradual change over of the design features between the two models. The earliest production models utilized the 1861 frames and had a somewhat longer grip. The stamping "New Model" on the barrel of the early models can also be noted to have been stamped with a separate die. Nearly 110, 000 New Models were purchased by the government during the Civil War, at prices between $10.82 and $15.50 each. These prices were lower than Colt's and by mid-1863, Colt was eliminated from the government contract business. The State of New Jersey also purchased several thousand for Civil War issue.

The New Model 1863 Army was the last of Remington's .44 caliber percussion revolvers. Remington Armies were used from the beginning to the end of the Civil War in all fields. They were considered to be among the finest martial handguns of the day. The Remington New Model 1863 Navy and it's forbear, the Remington-Beals Navy, also saw action during the war.

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 all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the 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 almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.