Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Civil War Remington-Beals Army Model .44 caliber percussion revolver, serial number 469, representing Remington’s first .44 caliber Army revolver pattern. Originally manufactured with an 8" octagonal barrel, this example was shortened during its working life to approximately 5 1/2", with the loading lever shortened accordingly and a replacement front sight installed.

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-Beals Army Model was produced at the beginning of the Civil War era before the later Model 1861 Old Model Army and Model 1863 New Model Army revolvers. Although Remington percussion revolvers are sometimes broadly referred to as “Model 1858” revolvers because of Fordyce Beals’ patent date, production of this .44 caliber Army pattern began in 1861 and ended in 1862. Approximately 1,900 examples are generally reported to have been manufactured.

The underside of the barrel and the frame beneath the grip are both serial numbered:

469

placing this revolver very early in the production sequence. The rear of the cylinder, however, is marked 82 and 60, indicating that the cylinder is not original to the numbered frame and barrel. The revolver is therefore best described as partially matching, with a replacement cylinder.

Only a small portion of the original barrel inscription remains near the frame as a result of the shortening. The original marking would have read approximately:

[BEALS' PATENT SEP]T.14.1858
[MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTONS' ILION.] N.Y.

The revolver retains the characteristic nonrebated frame configuration around the forcing cone associated with the Remington-Beals Army. When the barrel was shortened, the original loading lever was also cut down while retaining the earlier serrated side latch configuration. The cylinder has rear safety slots and appears to be a replacement, while the arbor pin and hammer also appear to have been replaced at some point.

The metalwork shows extensive honest service wear with no appreciable original finish remaining. There is widespread evidence of older oxidation, peppering, and light pitting, and the once sharp machined edges have softened from prolonged handling, wear, and past cleaning. The revolver now displays an overall aged gray and brown patina.

The walnut grips remain structurally sound with no major cracks or repairs noted, though the original inspection cartouches have worn away. A series of grooves has been cut into the rear of both grip panels, and the lower edges show handling wear without significant chipping.

The action is mechanically unreliable in its present condition. The hand spring appears worn or broken, causing the hand to frequently fail to engage the cylinder ratchet. When the cylinder does rotate, lockup is weak and the cylinder commonly overshoots, while the hammer requires considerable force to bring fully to cock. The bore is in very good present condition with a mostly bright surface and strong lands and grooves, though traces of older oxidation remain in the grooves and on portions of the lands. All cylinder nipples are intact and appear clear.

With its very low serial number 469, early nonrebated Remington-Beals frame, surviving portion of the original barrel marking, shortened 5 1/2" barrel and loading lever, and strong remaining bore, this is an interesting and heavily used example of Remington’s first .44 caliber Army revolver pattern. The replacement cylinder, apparent replacement arbor pin and hammer, shortened barrel, unreliable action, worn grips, and extensive surface wear are all fully disclosed. It would display especially well in a U.S. Civil War revolver, early Remington percussion handgun, Remington-Beals Army, or 19th century American military arms collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1861
Manufacturer: Remington & Sons
Model: Remington-Beals Army
Serial No.: 469
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 5 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of Remington-Beals Army Revolver:

The Remington-Beals Model Revolvers along with subsequent models and variations were percussion revolvers manufactured by Eliphalet Remington & Sons in .31 (Pocket) .36 (Navy) or .44 (Army) caliber, used during the American Civil War, and was the beginning of a successful line of medium and large frame pistols. It is commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as the Model 1858 due to the patent markings on its cylinder, "PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A./NEW MODEL."; although wide scale production did not start until 1861.

The Remington revolver was a secondary, supplemental issue firearm for the Union Army until the Colt factory fire of 1864. Due to the fire the Colt 1860 Army was not available for some time, subsequently large numbers of the Remington revolver were ordered by the U.S. government. It was more expensive, by "50 cents" (a difference of more than US$12 in 2013 dollars), than the Colt, but those who could afford it remarked on its durability.

It saw use in the American West, both in its original percussion configuration and as a metallic cartridge conversion, as well as around the world.

The Remington is a single-action, six-shot, percussion revolver produced by E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y., based on the Fordyce Beals' patent of September 14, 1858 (Patent 21,478). The Remington Army revolver is large-framed, in .44 caliber, with an 8-inch barrel length. The Remington Navy revolver is slightly smaller framed than the Army, and in .36 caliber with a 7.375 inch [Beals Navy 7.5 inch] barrel length. There were three progressive models made; the Remington-Beals Army & Navy (1860–1862), the 1861 Army & Navy (1862–1863), and the New Model Army & Navy (1863–1875). The three models are nearly identical in size and appearance. Subtle but noticeable differences in hammers, loading levers, and cylinders help identify each model. The 1861 Remington actually transitioned into New Model appearance by late 1862, slowly transforming throughout 1862, due to continual improvement suggestions from the U. S. Ordnance Department.

Remington percussion revolvers are very accurate and capable of considerable power with muzzle velocities in the range of 550 to 1286+ feet-per-second, depending upon the charge loaded by the shooter. Combustible cartridge velocities averaged from 700 to 900 feet per second (270 m/s), depending on powder quality, charge and conical bullet weight. Combustibles were usually loaded with a special high performance sporting grade black powder, using the minimum charge required for a specified impact level, usually determined by pine penetration tests. The special powder and minimal charge reduced black powder fouling, allowing revolvers to be fired as much as possible before cleaning was necessary.

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.