Civil War Remington 1858 New Model Army .44 Cal 8″ Revolver MFD Antique
SOLD FOR: $1100
LSB#: 220404DW002
Make: Remington
Model: 1858 New Model Army
Serial Number: 115539
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 with faded numbers and “G”. There are a host of inspection marks. The side of the cylinder is marked “C” and “G”. The left side of the loading lever is marked “G”. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked “D”. The left side of the frame behind the recoil shield and the left side of the barrel at the frame are both marked “W”. The right side of the frame behind the recoil shield and the left side of the barrel at the frame are both marked “C”. The bottom of the barrel in front of the loading lever retainer is marked “T”. The top of the barrel is marked “PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858 / REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A. / NEW MODEL”. There is a faded cartouche on the right panel down at the bottom.
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 smooth wood panels. The grips are shy to the grip frame. There is a small loss on the bottom-front corner of the left panel. There are scattered scratches, scuffs, compressions, dings, and areas of discoloration. The screw escutcheons are proud ot the wood. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue with Brass Trigger Guard
Finish Originality: Original with Touch Ups
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is worn but well defined. There are scattered areas of erosion and pitting in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains less than 30% of its metal finish. There is mottled thinning, patina, and finish loss. There are some scattered little nicks, dings, scratches, and areas of erosion. There are streaks from abrasive cleaning. The ramrod retainer is worn and the ramrod can easily be knocked out of place. There is wear on the edges. The front sight has been modified and the dovetail cut has welded metal. The markings are clear. The screwheads show use. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as an Antique
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup has some side-to-side 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 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!