Original U.S. Remington & Sons 1st Model Remington-Beals .31cal Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial 615

Original Item: Only One Available. The Remington-Beals Pocket Revolver was the first percussion revolver produced by Remington & Sons in 1857. Three successive models were produced in 1857–1860. Founded in 1816 in Ilion, New York by a blacksmith named Eliphalet Remington, by 1856. Remington & Sons was the preeminent long rifle factory in the United States, producing military rifles for the US government since 1845. The expiration of Samuel Colt’s U.S. patents in 1857 afforded the Remingtons the opportunity to start their own revolver production. As the company had had little experience in the production of pistols, they hired an expert designer, Fordyce Beals, who had previously designed a revolver for Eli Whitney’s factory in 1854. Beals refined his earlier models to provide Remington with his first revolver, Remington-Beals Pocket Revolver, which was patented on May 26, 1857.

Later in 1857 the 1st Model Remington-Beals Pocket Revolvers appeared on the market, and that is exactly what we have here, the first time that we have been able to offer one of these hard to find early percussion revolver designs. It is definitely quite small, and lacks some features that other examples from the period had, such as the loading rammer. The action also is partly outside of the frame on the left side, something which would be rectified later. The revolver has a lovely patina of age, showing some peppering but no major oxidation, and is marked on the bottom of the gutta percha grip and barrel with serial number 615. The top strap of the frame still has the maker information fully intact:-

MANUFACTURED BY
REMINGTONS
ILION N.Y.

The top of the octagonal barrel shows the correct patent information:-

F. BEALS' PATENT
JUNE 24.'56 & MAY 26.'57

The hard rubber "gutta percha" trip is in great shape, showing light use, and no cracking or other damage. The revolver functions, but the hand spring is worn or broken, so it will only cycle reliably with the revolver pointed muzzle down. The cylinder does not lock when fully cocked, but we do not know if this is correct or a deficiency. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves. There are however some areas of past oxidation, now cleaned away, which eroded the interior surface, so this is definitely a revolver that saw some real use. All five cap nipple cones are clear, showing oxidation and fouling on the exterior from use, as well as some mushrooming from hammer strikes.

A lovely example of an early percussion revolver design, ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1857
Caliber: .31cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/2 inches
Action: Single Action Percussion
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

In 1857 the 1st Model Remington-Beals Pocket Revolvers appeared on the US market. However, sales were disappointing, and Remington followed with two more improved models of the pistol, the last mounting an integral loading lever. Despite these improvements, the only real advantage of the Remington-Beals over well established Colt's pocket revolvers was in its solid-frame design. So, in 1860 Remington ceased the production. It was not until the outbreak of the American Civil War that Remington started revolver production on a large scale, with Remington Army Model in 1861.

1st Model Remington-Beals Revolver
The first model Remington-Beals was a solid frame, single-action, five-shot, caliber .31 pistol with a 3-inch octagonal barrel. As it lacked the loading lever found on Colt's pistols, a bullet seater was included and had to be carried separately. The pistol was also fitted with grips made of hard rubber, known at the time as gutta percha, very modern for the time. Cylinder turning mechanism was mounted on the left outside frame. Approximately 5,000 were manufactured in 1857 and 1858 before transitioning to the 2nd Model.

2nd Model Remington-Beals Revolver
It was a spur trigger, .31-caliber, 5-shot percussion revolver, with 3" octagonal barrel and squared rubber grip. Approximately 1,000 were manufactured between 1858 and 1860.

3rd Model Remington-Beals Revolver
A .31-caliber 5-shot percussion revolver, with 4" octagonal barrel. Unlike its predecessors, it had a loading lever mounted under the barrel. Approximately 1,500 were manufactured in 1859 and 1860.

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