Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a Remington New Model Pocket Revolver originally manufactured as a .31 caliber percussion arm and subsequently converted to fire .32 rimfire metallic cartridges. Its conversion components display matching assembly number 3931 and appear consistent with Remington’s early factory conversion system.

The Remington New Model Pocket Revolver was introduced in 1863 to compete in the growing market for compact personal defense revolvers. Its small size made it suitable as a civilian defensive arm and as a privately purchased backup weapon for military officers. Approximately 25,000 were manufactured at Remington’s Ilion, New York factory between 1863 and 1873.

Although this model was introduced during the Civil War, serial number 17706 was most likely manufactured during the immediate postwar period, circa 1868. The revolver was originally a five shot, single action percussion arm chambered in .31 caliber. It has a 3⅜" octagonal barrel, spur trigger, solid frame, and a cylinder arbor pin that pulls forward to permit easy removal of the cylinder.

The top of the barrel retains its original three line marking:

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

Matching revolver serial number 17706 is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the frame beneath the grip.

Following the Civil War, large numbers of serviceable percussion revolvers remained in circulation just as self-contained metallic cartridges were becoming commercially practical. Factory and gunsmith conversions allowed owners to modernize existing revolvers without purchasing an entirely new firearm. Many early conversions used rimfire ammunition because the system required relatively limited alteration to the original arm.

Remington began offering cartridge conversions during the late 1860s and also supplied components that could be installed outside the factory. The earliest pattern for the New Model Pocket is commonly described as the Type I conversion. It used a replacement .32 rimfire cylinder with a removable rear plate, allowing cartridges to be inserted from the rear while retaining the revolver’s original solid frame and basic hammer arrangement.

The cylinder and removable backing plate on this revolver are both stamped with matching conversion assembly number:

3931

The matching conversion numbers and configuration are consistent with a factory assembled Remington conversion, although no surviving factory documentation accompanies the revolver.

The frame was originally case colored, while the barrel and cylinder were blued. The frame has developed an attractive gray patina with scattered wear and light oxidation. Remarkably, the barrel retains a substantial amount of its original blue finish. We see no indication that the revolver has been refinished.

The wooden grips remain very attractive and show only light service wear. Both retain a considerable amount of the original glossy “piano varnish” finish commonly encountered on pocket revolver grips. No cracks or significant damage are visible.

The revolver functions very well mechanically. The action is strong and smooth, the mainspring remains firm, and the cylinder advances and indexes correctly with solid lockup. The trigger releases crisply when dry operated, without the erratic behavior sometimes encountered in revolvers of this age.

The bore is excellent for a black powder era revolver. It remains mostly bright with crisp lands and grooves, although scattered areas of oxidation are present.

This is an especially attractive early metallic cartridge conversion retaining matching revolver serial numbers, matching numbered conversion components, considerable original barrel blue, excellent grips, and a strong mechanical action. It represents the important transitional period between the percussion revolvers of the Civil War and the purpose built cartridge revolvers of the American West.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1868
Manufacturer: E. Remington & Sons
Model: New Model Pocket Revolver
Serial Number: 17706
Conversion Assembly Number: 3931
Original Caliber: .31 Percussion
Converted Caliber: .32 Rimfire
Barrel Length: 3⅜"
Overall Length: 7⅝"
Action: Single Action
Capacity: Five Rounds
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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.

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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.