Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver, probably one of the best we have ever seen, especially with so much of the original finish present on the frame and barrel. 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, a definitely rarity:

The top line is a bit faint, but not to wear, due to being mis-struck, and the lower lines are much deeper, and even show a area at the edge of the letters. This revolver has matching serial number 91154 appearing on the underside of the barrel and on the frame under the grip, while the rear of the cylinder is marked with serial 9400, along with a P inspection stamp on the ratchet. This may have been a spare cylinder, purchased separately, or one taken from another gun. The cylinders were easily swapped by pulling out the cylinder arbor pin.

Overall condition is excellent, still retaining the original bluing on the frame and barrel quite well. The grip area has lost a good amount of the finish, as has the cylinder, but there are still some spots visible. The single letter P and J inspection marks are still crisp, and we see no evidence that the revolver was ever majorly cleaned or restored. The revolver has a lovely set of walnut grips, which look to be original with no sign of having been replaced. They have a fantastic barely used look, with just some wear around the bottom edge. There is also a crisp boxed G.P. cartouche on the left side, for civilian inspector George Palmer.

The front of the barrel has the original steel "pinched" front sight intact, not replaced as many were, though the top has been shaved down a bit. The bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves! There is just a bit of oxidation and fouling haze, now cleaned away, making this a truly fantastic bore. It is unlikely we'll see another bore this good anytime soon! We rarely see bores this good on Civil War percussion revolvers!

The action functions great, with accurate indexing, a solid cylinder lockup, and crisp dry fire. We did not notice any of the finicky behavior we usually see with revolvers of this age, and shows very little and there is very little slop in the mechanics. It is a bit stiff, which is the only real "issue" that we noted. The cap nipples are still in great shape, showing very little wear or oxidation. We can only see through 3 of 6, but it looks like they are just clogged with grease.

Research shows that this revolver was manufactured in mid 1864, 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.

In fantastic condition with a great bore, this revolver will make a fine addition to any U.S. Civil War collection. Possibly the best example we have ever seen!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: mid 1864
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.

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