Original U.S. Civil War Remington New Model 1863 Army .44cal Percussion Revolver with Grip Cartouche - Serial 73053

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of a Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver, with a lovely patina from age and use. 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:

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

This revolver has matching serial number 73053 appearing on the underside of the barrel and on the frame under the grip, while the rear of the cylinder does not have any serial number or other markings we can see from powder burn. 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. There is a R inspection proof on the left side of the frame by the barrel joint, and an S on the right side by the barrel joint, and on the barrel. There is also a W on the left side by the hammer, and both R and S on the cylinder.

Overall condition is very good, showing a lovely aged patina overall, with some evidence past peppering, now cleaned away. We do not see any areas of major cleaning and restoration, and 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. They have a lovely red brown color, showing the expected wear around the bottom, but no cracks or major damage. There is even a relatively clear "boxed" script BH cartouche on the left grip, for inspector Benjamin Hannis, noted for inspecting "Allen & Wheelock, Colt M1860, Remington Elliott, Savage Figure 8, and Starr Revolvers" during the war.

The revolver functions beautifully, with a strong smooth action and a strong mainspring. It indexes correctly with a solid cylinder lockup, and a crisp dry fire. We have not noticed any of the usual "finicky" behavior of the action on this revolver. The front of the barrel has the original steel "pinched" front sight intact, not replaced as many were. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves, though they are definitely a bit faint. The revolver looks to have been well maintained during its service life, but even that cannot prevent wear from use. The cap nipples are all in very good shape and fully clear, showing moderate oxidation and wear on the exteriors.

Research shows that this revolver was manufactured in early-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 very good condition with a lovely bore and tight action, this revolver will make a fine addition to any U.S. Civil War collection. Definitely a prime example!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 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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