{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-remington-new-model-pocket-revolver-with-factory-32-rimfire-conversion-serial-no-17706","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Remington New Model Pocket Revolver with Factory .32 Rimfire Conversion - Serial No. 17706","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3931\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and appear consistent with Remington’s early factory conversion system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough this model was introduced during the Civil War, serial number \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17706\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe top of the barrel retains its original three line marking:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858. MARCH 17 1863\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eE. REMINGTON \u0026amp; SONS. ILION. NEW YORK. U.S.A.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNEW MODEL\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMatching revolver serial number \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17706\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the frame beneath the grip.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRemington 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cylinder and removable backing plate on this revolver are both stamped with matching conversion assembly number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3931\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe matching conversion numbers and configuration are consistent with a factory assembled Remington conversion, although no surviving factory documentation accompanies the revolver.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: Circa 1868\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer: E. Remington \u0026amp; Sons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel: New Model Pocket Revolver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial Number: 17706\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConversion Assembly Number: 3931\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Caliber: .31 Percussion\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConverted Caliber: .32 Rimfire\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 3⅜\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 7⅝\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction: Single Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCapacity: Five Rounds\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44964678860869,"sku":"ONJR26APNS083","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/5269F575-2F8E-4BED-94AC-9605D033EDD0.jpg?v=1777922461","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-remington-new-model-pocket-revolver-with-factory-32-rimfire-conversion-serial-no-17706","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}