Civil War Remington 1858 New Model Army .44 Cal 8″ Revolver MFD Antique
SOLD FOR: $1092
LSB#: 220115BS002
Make: Remington
Model: 1858 New Model Army
Serial Number: 58942
Year of Manufacture: 1863-1865
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 with faded numbers that resemble “842”. There are a host of inspection marks. The side of the cylinder is marked “J” twice. The left side of the loading lever is marked “J” but this marking is heavily obscured by wear. The left side of the frame behind the recoil shield, left side of the frame at the forcing cone, and left side of the barrel at the frame are marked “W”. The right side of the frame at the forcing cone and right side of the barrel at the frame are marked “J”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “P”. The bottom of the barrel in front of the loading lever retainer has a mark too faint to make out. The top of the barrel is marked “PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858 / REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A. / NEW MODEL”. The left grip is marked with a faded cartouche
Barrel Length: 8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a mortised post fixed to 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 smooth wood panels. The grips appear refinished. There are scattered nicks, dings, and compressions. The majority of the marks have faded with age. There is a small crack on the bottom of the left panel at the bottom rear corner. There are some scuffs and a few light scratches. The grip screw is proud to the right panel. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue with Brass Trigger Guard
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is worn but visible. There is erosion, pitting, and oxidation throughout.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 50% of its metal finish. The metal has developed a deep patina. There are scattered areas of pitting and erosion, some of the most noticeable is on the barrel at the muzzle and on the cylinder but it is scattered throughout. There are some areas of scabbing and oxidation. There are a few nicks and scratches. The nose of the hammer is damaged. The cylinder has wear on the edges surrounding the nipples. There is a turn line through the finish on the cylinder. The screwheads display tool marks. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as an Antique
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly, with the hammer cocked, the cylinder can freely spin clockwise. 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 U.S. 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. By 1865 they had purchased 115,557 so this one was likely used in the Civil War. 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, with the inspection marks, this is a revolver you can add to a Civil War or Remington collection. Please see our photos and good luck!