*US, Civil War, “Model 1858” Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver, Serial No. 30142, Obsolete Calibre*
An original United States Civil War Remington New Model Army percussion revolver, commonly referred to as the “Model 1858,” manufactured by E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York. This example is serial numbered 30142, placing its manufacture in late 1863, during the height of American Civil War production.
The revolver retains the correct solid-frame Remington design, widely regarded as one of the strongest percussion revolver constructions of the nineteenth century. The octagonal barrel measures approximately 18.5 cm, with an overall length of 33 cm. The barrel retains a partial but legible address reading “Remington & Sons, Ilion”, confirming manufacture at the Remington factory in Ilion, New York. The full barrel address originally read “PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858 / E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW-YORK, U.S.A.”
The revolver is fitted with a six-shot percussion cylinder, removable via the base pin in the typical Remington manner. The loading lever remains present and correctly fitted beneath the barrel. The firearm retains its brass trigger guard and walnut grip, both consistent with standard Civil War production examples.
Inspection marks are present, including a “B” stamp on the brass trigger guard and an “N” mark on the left side of the frame near the trigger, representing U.S. military sub-inspector acceptance marks applied during wartime production.
The revolver cocks and dry fires, demonstrating functional mechanical movement. As an original percussion revolver chambered for .44 calibre black powder ammunition, it qualifies as obsolete calibre.
Approx. Measurements – Barrel length: 18.5 cm. Overall length: 33 cm.
History Note:
The Remington New Model Army revolver was introduced in 1863 by E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York as the final development of Remington’s large-frame percussion revolver series. Chambered in .44 calibre and built around a strong solid-frame design, the revolver was widely regarded as one of the most durable military sidearms of the American Civil War.
Following the devastating fire at the Colt factory in 1863, Remington revolvers became increasingly important to Union supply and the New Model Army was issued extensively to Union cavalry regiments during the later years of the war. Its strength, reliability, and ease of cylinder removal made it popular among soldiers in the field.
According to research published in Remington Army & Navy Revolvers 1861–1868 by Donald L. Ware, revolvers produced below serial 149,000 were accepted prior to the end of the Civil War, and examples below 123,000 were accepted prior to the end of 1864. The present revolver, serial numbered 30142, therefore falls squarely within wartime manufacture and acceptance.
Production continued after the war and many examples remained in service with the U.S. Army cavalry on the western frontier until they were gradually replaced by cartridge revolvers, most notably the Colt Model 1873 Cavalry Revolver, beginning in 1875.
Today the Remington New Model Army remains one of the most recognisable and historically significant percussion revolvers of the nineteenth century and a key firearm of the American Civil War era.
*Condition*
The revolver retains a consistent aged grey patina across the steel surfaces with scattered pitting and handling wear commensurate with age and service. The barrel address remains faint but readable. The walnut grip shows typical service wear and minor marks from handling. The brass trigger guard retains a mellow aged tone with visible inspector marking. The loading lever assembly remains intact and functional. The revolver cocks and dry fires, and the cylinder rotates during operation. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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