Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of a Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver, with a lovely patina from age and use. It looks to have had a good amount of surface oxidation cleaned off over the years, which has made some of the markings faint. The grips definitely look to be original, though the ferrules and screw were probably replaced. 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, however they are relatively faint, especially the last line:

This revolver has serial number 37378 appearing on the underside of the barrel, while the number under the grips is quite worn from oxidation, but does look to be matching. The back of the cylinder bears number 7952, so it was swapped out at some point, very common for these revolvers. Unlike Colt, Remington did not always number every component of their guns, especially the cylinder. Also the company sold extra cylinders, as the arbor pin was easily removable, allowing a spare loaded cylinder to be quickly fit into the revolver.

Overall condition is very good, with the original bluing faded to a great looking gray patina overall, with some areas of light oxidation peppering. It has a fantastic broken in look that is impossible to duplicate. The revolver has a very nice set of walnut grips, which look to be original, with no sign of having been replaced. Both show a good amount of staining from oxidation on the interior surfaces, and they have some wood filler repair around the hole on the rear toe to repair damage from oxidation on the pin. They look to have been refinished, and there are no traces of the original inspection cartouches, though the bottom of one is marked with with 880661, a number that we do not understand the significance of.

The front of the barrel has had the original "pinched" front sight replaced with what looks to be a fabricated blade sight. The bore is in good condition, showing a partly bright finish with worn clear lands and grooves. There is past oxidation and fouling on the interior of the bore, mostly cleaned away. This revolver definitely looks to have seen extensive service during the war, and probably afterwards. The action functions well, with good indexing and a fairly good cylinder lockup, though the cylinder can be rotated by hand with some effort due to wear on the cylinder. It has an intact loading position, and three clicks on the hammer tumbler. The cap nipples are in good shape, showing wear from powder burn and service, and 5 of 6 are currently clear.

Research shows that this revolver was manufactured in early-mid 1863, 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 very nice condition with a great look, this revolver will make a fine addition to any U.S. Civil War collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: early-mid 1863
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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