Original U.S. Civil War Relic Condition Remington New Model 1863 Army Percussion Revolver – Serial 24781 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting “Relic Condition” or “Barn Found” example of a Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver, which shows significant oxidation and rust in areas. While not quite “battlefield pickup” level, it definitely spent a lot of time in a wet environment. It looks like it was then found, and serviced, with the original cylinder being replaced. Even with all the oxidation, it still functions well.

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 has unfortunately lost all trace of the original markings due to wear and refinishing.

Overall condition is as shown, with pit rust in a lot of areas, particularly on the loading rammer, which shows scaling throughout. The frame and barrel also have rust speckling, though not as bad as on the rammer. The axis pin is a bit better off, having been inside the cylinder, and the replacement cylinder itself is in excellent condition, most likely having never been used. The wooden grips do show some degradation from oxidation, as well as some worm damage on the right grip. The revolver does still have the correct brass “cone” front sight.

The action still does function well, with good indexing and cylinder lock up. However it is definitely a bit finicky with slop in the action, as expected from a revolver in this condition. The bore, as expected, is quite oxidized, so we can barely make out any rifling. The barrel axis pin does still slide out correctly, allowing the cylinder to be removed. 

This revolver has matching serial number 24781 appearing on the frame under the grip. The marking under the barrel unfortunately is obscured by rust, and cannot be read, and there are no serial number markings on the replacement cylinder.

Research shows that this revolver was manufactured in mid to late 1864, making this a true Civil War gun and perfect for any collection. 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 lovely Barn found “relic” condition, this revolver will make a fine addition to any U.S. Civil War collection.

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.

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: Early 1864
Caliber: .44cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

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