Original U.S. Civil War Remington .44cal “Old Model” 1861 Army Percussion Revolver – Serial 13400 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service worn condition Remington 1861 “Old Model” Army Revolver in .44 caliber percussion. It is a 6 shot single-action revolver, with an 8-inch octagon barrel, which replaced the earlier “Remington-Beals Army Model Revolver”. The top of the octagonal barrel still has the original barrel markings, which are mostly 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 6,000 were produced before transitioning to the “New Model 1863”, which was the result of numerous incremental improvements suggested by the Army ordnance department. 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 have these, as it is a later production “Old Model”, and the changes were rolled out gradually. It also has the correct “mortised” cone front sight, also seen on the early “New Model” Army revolvers, but soon eliminated.

Overall condition is good with a worn peppered patina overall. This is definitely an example that saw long service and there is not really any of the original finish still present. There are also some areas of rust pitting, now ground out, and these are mostly on the left side of the revolver, so it may have been laying that side up for some time. The grips are in very good shape, with wear on the shoulders, and just a little bit of wood filler at the tops. The left grip has a very visible inspection cartouche, which we are unfortunately have not been able to read.

Despite the external condition, 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 are worn and somewhat mushroomed out from hammer strikes. The bore shows rifling, but also a lot of oxidation and pitting, so this revolver was definitely not cleaned properly after last used.

This revolver has serial number 13400 appearing on the underside of the barrel and on the frame under the grip. The back of the cylinder looks to have some markings, but unfortunately it is unclear. However due to matching condition of the parts, we believe this is the original cylinder. This model was only made for a short period of time, before being superseded by the next model in the line, the “New Model” 1863. As this is a later issue “Old Model”, the only thing really separating it is the lack of the “NEW MODEL” marking on the barrel.

This is a genuine Civil War issued gun, with a great service worn look, and a solid place in history. This is would make a worthy addition to any civil war collection. One of only 6000 made. Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1862
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 1861 Army “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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