Remington Model Revolving Percussion Carbine .36 Cal 24″ 1858 Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $7542
LSB#: 211001TP13
Make: Remington
Model: Revolving Percussion Carbine
Serial Number: 77
Year of Manufacture: 1866-1879
Caliber: .36 Caliber
Action Type: Percussion Cap and Ball Single Action Carbine
Markings: The bottom of the barrel, portion of the trigger guard facing the bottom tang, and bottom tang are marked “77”. The top of the barrel is marked “PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858 / REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A. / NEW MODEL”. The left side of the base of the trigger guard is marked “36”.
Barrel Length: 24” Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a two-position flip-up sight, when down it has a “U” notch and when up it has a small aperture that is adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is checkered walnut with a straight comb and crescent brass buttplate. There are some scattered compressions, scuffs, draglines, and a few light scratches. There are a few oil marks, most noticeable where the wrist meets the frame. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is strong with some light rub wear. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition as Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue with Brass Trigger Guard and Silver Plated Buttplate
Finish Originality: Areas of original finish remain, some worn areas appear touched up.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is strong with rounded edges. There are scattered patches of pitting and erosion.
Overall Condition: This carbine retains about 10% of its metal finish. The loading lever measures 7″ and the cylinder measures 2 3/16″. The majority of the finish is located on the barrel and is mixed in with wear. The metal shows scattered mottled patina, scabs, discoloration from previous oxidation, thinning, and finish loss. There are a few scrapes on the left edge of the trigger guard. There are a few little nicks and dings, most noticeable on the sides of the frame at the loading lever hinge pin. There are some areas of erosion, most noticeable on the cylinder and sides of the hammer. There is a light turn line through on the cylinder. The screwheads display tool marks. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Very Good condition as an Antique
Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. The hammer will not engage into full cock and will only go to half cock. 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 and saw great success both during and after the war, it would become one of the most popular cap and ball revolvers ever made. With the conclusion of the Civil War, the market was flooded with used revolvers available for sale and Remington wanted to improve sales. They introduced the Revolving Percussion Carbine as a hunting rifle, for Remington it was great because it gave them a new product to market but the design was basically just an 1858 Revolver with a few design changes. Unlike Colt, they did not introduce a new design for their revolving rifle which meant cost savings on tooling, parts, and training for the new rifle. The rifle was available with 24, 26, and 28 inch barrels which were either .36 or .44 caliber. Cylinders were six or five shots respectively and they would later introduce cartridge conversions. There were a host of options available for the stock, it could be ordered in plain, or fancy, smooth or checkered, oiled or varnished configurations. The mountings could either be brass, iron, and silver plating was also an option. The standard finish was blued but there was even the option of engraving, one of which can be seen in the book “The Guns of Remington”. The rifle was based on a successful design and cost Remington little to make, for Remington it sounded too good to be true…it was. The market didn’t like it. The gun was somewhat underpowered and chainfires could also be an issue. While bad on a revolver, nobody wants to experience a chain fire when the cylinder is inches from your face and your supporting hand is in front of the cylinder. With the supporting hand in front of the cylinder, hot gasses and shavings of lead could spray the shooter as they escape from the cylinder. With these issues, people just bought the Winchester lever actions available at the time. Remington ended up making less than 1000. This one, serial number 77, has survived the years well and looks good. It has a 7″ loading lever, as opposed to the 4 5/8″ lever on the revolvers and the cylinder is 2 3/16″ long. We are lucky enough to have seen this rare Remington, but the winner of this auction will be lucky enough to call it theirs! Please see our photos and good luck!