Original U.S. Civil War Remington .36cal “Old Model” 1861 Navy Percussion Revolver Serial 15444 – Made in 1862 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is lovely example of the rare Remington 1861 “Old Model” Navy Revolver in .36 caliber percussion. It is a 6 shot single-action revolver, with an 7 ⅜-inch octagon barrel, which replaced the earlier “Remington-Beals Navy Model Revolver”. Only about 7,000 of the “Old Model” Navy revolvers were produced, compared to 14,500 Remington-Beals and 28,000 “New Model” revolvers, making these quite rare and desirable.

The top of the octagonal barrel of this wonderful example still has the original barrel markings, which are clear:

PATENTED DEC. 17, 1861
MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTONS, ILION, N. Y.

Other versions of this revolver were often called the “Model 1858” due to the patent date on the barrel, however this version had the 1861 date listed. Only Approximately 7,000 were produced before transitioning to the “New Model 1863”, which was the result of numerous incremental improvements suggested by the Army ordnance department (The Army used both the .36 and .44 caliber versions).

One of these was the “Safety Slots” milled between chambers on the cylinder. The milled slot positively secured the hammer between chambers for safe carry by placing the hammer’s firing pin where it did not rest on a percussion cap, eliminating the risk of an accidental discharge if the gun was dropped or the hammer struck. This example does not have these, as it is an early example of the “Old Model” Navy. The changes to the revolvers were rolled out gradually, so features often overlap. It also has the correct “mortised” cone front sight, also seen on the early “New Model” Navy revolvers, but soon eliminated.

Overall condition is very good, with much of the original blued finish still remaining on the frame and barrel. There are a few areas of peppering and light rust, but this is definitely one of the best Remington Navy revolvers we have seen. The grips are in good shape, with a lovely color, and the left grip scale even still has a partially legible inspection cartouche! The right grip is in a bit worse shape, having cracked and and had a piece grafted onto the rear, making up about 1/4 of the grip.

The revolver has a strong smooth action, with a good mainspring and cylinder lockup. We have not noticed any of the usual “finicky” behavior of the action on this revolver. The ratchet on the back of the cylinder is still in great shape, with minimal powder burn. All cap nipples are clear, though they do show some oxidation from powder burn. The bore is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish. This is definitely in fantastic shape for a Civil War percussion revolver, which are often quite fouled and corroded.

This revolver has partial matching serial numbers, with 15444 appearing on the underside of the barrel, and on the frame under the grip. We checked the cylinder, and unfortunately all markings have been worn away. The Remington Society of America indicates this serial number was most likely produced during July 1862, so this is a true civil war gun. Production of the Remington-Beals Navy went up to about serial number 14,500, so this is a relatively early example, and has all the correct features of an “Old Model” 1861 Navy.

This is a genuine Civil War issued gun in great condition, and a solid place in history. This is would make a worthy addition to any civil war collection. One of only 7000 made. Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1862
Caliber: .36cal
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 7 ⅜ inches
Overall Length: 13 ⅜ inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 6 Shot Revolver

History of Remington 1861 Navy “Old Model” 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 is a single-action, six-shot, percussion revolver produced by E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y., based on the Fordyce Beals patent of September 14, 1858 (Patent 21,478). The Remington Army revolver is large-framed revolver in .44 caliber with an 8-inch barrel length. The Remington Navy revolver is slightly smaller framed than the Army and in .36 caliber with a 7.375 inch [Beals Navy 7.5 inch] barrel length. There were three progressive models made: the Remington-Beals Army & Navy (1860–1862), the 1861 Army & Navy (1862–1863), and the New Model Army & Navy (1863–1875). The three models are nearly identical in size and appearance. Subtle but noticeable differences in hammers, loading levers, and cylinders help identify each model. The 1861 Remington actually transitioned into New Model appearance by late 1862, slowly transforming throughout 1862, due to continual improvement suggestions from the U. S. Ordnance Department.

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