Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and mechanically strong example of an original Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver manufactured in approximately May 1864, at the height of the American Civil War. With matching serial numbers on the barrel and frame, unusually clear factory markings, a tight and smooth action, and an honest patina developed through age and use, it has the unmistakable character of a genuine wartime revolver.

The Remington New Model Army was one of the most important and widely used handguns of the Civil War. Although these revolvers are frequently called the “Model 1858” because of the patent date stamped on the barrel, production of this improved variation began in 1863, and New Model Army was Remington’s correct factory designation.

Like all standard New Model Army revolvers, this example is a .44 caliber, six-shot, single-action percussion revolver with an 8-inch octagonal barrel. Its solid-frame construction provided excellent strength, while the removable cylinder pin allowed the cylinder to be taken out easily for cleaning or replaced with a separately loaded spare. This practical design made the Remington a highly respected alternative to Colt’s open-top percussion revolvers.

The top of the octagonal barrel retains unusually clear and fully legible original factory markings:

PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858
REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. NEW YORK. U.S.A.
NEW-MODEL

The survival of such strong barrel markings is especially desirable, as they are often considerably softened or partially lost through wartime use, oxidation, and repeated cleaning.

The matching serial number: 69831 is stamped on the underside of the barrel and on the frame beneath the grip. The rear of the cylinder does not bear a visible serial number or other identifying marking.

Unlike Colt, Remington did not consistently number every component of its revolvers, particularly the cylinder. The company also supplied spare cylinders, and the easily removable cylinder pin allowed another loaded cylinder to be installed relatively quickly.

Several individual inspection markings remain visible throughout the revolver. An R is stamped on the left side of the frame near the barrel junction, while an L appears on the left side of the barrel. Both the frame and barrel also bear upside-down R markings on the right side. A W is visible on the left side of the frame near the hammer, and the cylinder bears two additional R inspection stamps, one near the front and another near the rear.

The revolver remains in very good overall condition and displays a pleasing gray-brown patina developed through more than 160 years of age, handling, and use. There is evidence of past oxidation and peppering that has since been cleaned, but we do not see signs of aggressive polishing, refinishing, or major restoration. It retains the honest broken-in appearance that collectors value on an original Civil War sidearm.

The walnut grips remain in very good condition but appear to be postwar replacements. They are somewhat flatter along the sides than standard Remington factory grips and do not bear any visible military inspection markings. They fit the revolver well and have developed an attractive aged appearance of their own.

Mechanically, this New Model Army functions beautifully. The action is smooth and strong, with a relatively powerful mainspring. The cylinder indexes accurately and locks securely into position, while the hammer falls with a crisp dry fire. The loading position also functions correctly. We did not encounter the inconsistent timing or other finicky mechanical behavior often found on heavily used percussion revolvers of this age.

The original steel pinched-blade front sight remains installed, an important feature because many were damaged, altered, or replaced during service. The upper surface of the sight displays expected wear and some minor deformation.

The bore remains in good condition, showing a partially bright finish with visible but worn lands and grooves. Evidence of past black powder fouling, oxidation, and cleaning wear indicates that the revolver saw substantial use during its working life but was also maintained and cleaned.

The front of the recoil shield displays corrosion associated with percussion cap residue, further reflecting genuine period use. All six percussion nipples remain intact and clear, showing light exterior oxidation and wear.

There is relatively little powder burn on the rear of the cylinder, and the safety slots show limited damage from repeated contact with the hammer. These characteristics suggest that the cylinder may have been replaced during the revolver’s period of service, although this cannot be confirmed conclusively.

Serial-number research places this revolver within the estimated May 1864 production range. The Remington Society of America lists serial numbers 65,800 through 69,760 for April 1864 and 69,760 through 75,950 for May 1864. Serial number 69,831 falls just 71 numbers into the May range, indicating production or Ordnance Department delivery very early that month. The Society notes that these estimates are based on monthly deliveries to the Ordnance Department with an allowance for defective revolvers.

This is a very appealing wartime Remington with matching barrel and frame numbers, unusually clear factory markings, an original front sight, strong mechanical condition, and the honest patina expected from a genuine Civil War revolver.

A fine addition to any Civil War, Remington, or U.S. military arms collection, ready for further research and display.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: Approximately May 1864
Caliber: .44 Caliber
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball Percussion
Barrel Length: 8 Inches
Overall Length: 14 Inches
Action: Single Action Revolver
Feed System: 6-Shot Cylinder

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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