First Year! Remington 1858 New Model Army .44 Cal Civil War Revolver 1863
SOLD FOR: $1906.47
LSB#: 210721TS85
Make: Remington
Model: 1858 New Model Army, First Year
Serial Number: 17751
Year of Manufacture: 1863, Antique (“Civil War Pistols of The Union” by John D. McAulay)
Caliber: .44 Caliber Ball
Action Type: Percussion Cap and Ball Single Action Revolver
Markings: The left side of the grip frame and bottom of the barrel are marked with the serial number. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “1043”. There are a host of inspection marks. The left side of the loading lever is marked “P”. The bottom of the trigger guard and left side of the barrel at the frame are marked “J”. The left of the frame at the forcing cone is marked “S”. The side of the cylinder, left of the frame behind the recoil shield, right side of the barrel at the frame, and right side of the frame at the forcing cone are marked “A”. The bottom of the barrel in front of the loading lever retainer is marked “R”. The left side of the frame behind the trigger guard is marked “F”. The top of the barrel is marked “PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858 / REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A.”. The left grip has a cartouche, we cannot decipher it due to wear.
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a cone dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch at the end of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. The grips have been repaired at the bottoms with epoxy or wood filler, most noticeable along the bottom of the right panel. There are some scattered compressions, scuffs, and little dings. There are some light scratches that have colored with age. There are no unrepaired chips or cracks. The grips rate in about Good-Very Good overall condition as Antique and as repaired.
Type of Finish: Blue with Brass Trigger Guard
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is worn but has remained strong and clearly defined. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. The strongest remaining finish is located on the barrel. The finish has numerous scattered spots of light scabbing, oxidation, discoloration from previous oxidation, erosion, and scratches from abrasive cleaning. The scabbing is most noticeable on the barrel. The erosion is most noticeable on the cylinder. There are scattered dings, most noticeable on the barrel and cylinder. The scratches are most noticeable on the barrel. The butt of the grip frame has some lacquer. The cylinder has a turn line and the brass trigger guard has developed an attractive patina. The screwheads display tool marks with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good-Very Good condition as an Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The mainspring is strong and the cylinder locks up very well with only faint movement. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Remington 1858 Army revolver was a sidearm used by the Union during the Civil War. The US government ordered a large number of revolvers due to a fire at the Colt factory that shut down their production of the 1860 Army Revolver. Not only was this type of revolver used in the Civil War but it found itself being used in the American West. This single action six-shot revolver is known for having a solid design and being very reliable due to its solid frame unlike the competing open tops. The solid frame design gave it an advantage over the competing Colt models, and it is said Civil War soldiers were known to trade their Colts for Remingtons after the war after seeing the differences firsthand. Buffalo Bill Cody carried a New Model Army throughout the Indian Wars and his show appearances, and never converted it to cartridge use, which is a testament to the popularity of this revolver. The New Model Army is commonly called the Model 1858 because of its patent date on the barrel, but it was not actually produced until 1863, the 1861 Old Model having preceded it. The design became one of the most beloved cap and ball designs and has such a good design and fan following that reproduction houses have been making replicas for decades. Here is your chance to pick up the real thing, this one is serial number 17751 which is from the first year, “Civil War Pistols of The Union” by John D. McAulay states that in 1863 the Army was sent 31,802 .44 caliber New Models and the 17751 falls well under that number. Furthermore, this one is without the words “NEW MODEL” on the barrel and with a cone type sight instead of the later mortised post. With the inpsection marks, this is a phenomenal Civil War revolver to add to a Civil War or Remington collection and one cannot be complete without an 1858, so drop a bid today! Please see our photos and good luck!