Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very interesting example of a Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army Revolver, complete with a British made holster. This was purchased from the family of a British Officer who had served in EGYPT in the 1890's. This revolver likely started life as the long barrel Model of 1875 but as was the fashion was updated later to conform with the M-1890 Remington Model by cutting away the steel web under the barrel. It also had the barrel shortened to 4 ¾”, along with the ejector and cylinder arbor fitting, so we do not know what the original length was.

It also appears that while in Egypt the officer lost the original U.S. cylinder and had British Army Workshops fit an non-fluted style cylinder in its place. We do not know if this was adapted from a British part, or supplied from the manufacturer. The revolver comes with its brown leather Army model holster made at BISLEY in England.

Family tradition was that he carried this very revolver during the BATTLE OF OMDURMAN in 1898. Not seen anything like this before, clearly possibly a unique example in very fine condition and good working order. The grips look to be period replacements, and have the correct "R A" Remington Arms Monogram at the top.

The Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army revolver was introduced to compete with Colt's own Single Action Army, introduced in 1873. Unfortunately the two year advantage Colt had been well used by Colt to secure virtually all the U.S. Government Contracts leaving Remington to find additional and different markets. Still, it's a very well made revolver, and has a solid place in U.S. firearm history.

The majority of the revolvers produced had 7 ½" barrels, although a few were produced with 5 ¾" barrels and are considered very scarce today. The revolvers were produced with both blued and nickel finishes. Oil finished, two-piece walnut grips were standard, but other options were available on special order. Remington produced the M-1875 revolver from 1875 until 1889, with a total production of only between 25,000 and 30,000; a very small production run when compared with Colt's M-1873 Single Action Army.

The markings on the top of the shortened barrel are still clear:

The serial number 897 is present on the edge of the left grip frame, underneath the grip. Unfortunately this does not really give much information about when the pistol was made, as at about serial number 12,000, Remington started the serial numbering for the Model 1875 back at 1. This was also around the time they moved from a rectangular firing pin, to a cone-shaped one, so most likely, this is the second model 1875 to have the serial number 897. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped clearly with 44, which indicates chambering for .44-40 Winchester. We have measured the cylinder ratchet and tested a the cylinder, and it is definitely in .44-40.

The revolver is in very good condition, with a lovely worn patina on the metal. It does look like there was some reinforcement done to the bolster for the ejector on the right hand side, as well as the modifications to the rib under the barrel. The grips are in very good shape, though there is a chip on the left grip scale. There is a hole for a lanyard loop on the bottom of the grip, which is currently empty.

The revolver cycles well, with good indexing and cylinder lockup. It does have a worn tumbler though, so there is not currently a functional reloading position. It dry fires well, and the ejector is fully functional. We checked the bore, and it is mostly bright, showing clear lands and grooves, with some fouling in areas.

The included British Webley style revolver holster is in great shape, and fits the revolver well. It is very possible that the barrel was shortened entirely to make it conform closer to the typical size of a Webley .455 revolver.

A very nice U.S. Revolver which saw service with a British Soldier in Africa! Loads of patina and history, ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1875–1889
Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Ammunition Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 4 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 10 1/2 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

The Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army (a.k.a. Improved Army or Frontier Army) was a revolver by E. Remington & Sons. It was based upon the successful New Model Army (Remington Model 1858), with both revolvers having the same size, appearance, and the removable cylinder. The new 1875 Remington differed mainly from the older 1858 percussion model by having a bored through cylinder chambered for metallic cartridges. Thus, in 1875, Remington entered the cartridge revolver market with this big-frame, army style revolver, intended to compete with the Colt Peacemaker. Ordinary citizens and Old West lawmen alike recognized the sturdy quality of the new Remington revolvers

Introduced to compete with Colt's single-action Army revolvers, this Remington design failed to meet with the commercial success made by Colt's model due to the Hartford firm's two-year head start in production and sales.

Also known as the "Improved Army" or "Frontier Army" revolver, this single-action was a competitor to Colt's popular Single Action Army line. By the time of its introduction, however, Colt had already secured contracts with the U.S. Army, and Remington was forced to seek other markets. The U.S. government purchased fewer than 650 for use by Indian police, and another 1000 were sold to the Mexican government circa 1880. The Egyptian government contracted for delivery of 10,000, but few were produced and delivered due to significant unpaid debts owed by the Egyptians for Rolling Block rifles.

Between 25,000 and 30,000 were manufactured during the years 1875–1889 in three different chamberings: .44 Remington Centerfire; .44-40; and .45 caliber. These were not optional; rather, the caliber of production models was determined by their date of manufacture. .45 caliber cylinders were slightly longer to prevent accidental insertion into a .44 frame. Standard features included a fluted cylinder, walnut grip panels, blued or nickel-plated finish with case-hardened hammer and loading gate, and a lanyard ring. Standard barrel length was 7 1⁄2 inches (190 mm), although very few revolvers were produced with 5 3⁄4-inch (150 mm) barrels.

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