Remington Model 1858

Lore & Background

The Remington revolver was a secondary, supplemental issue firearm for the Union Army until the Colt factory fire of 1864, after which large numbers were ordered by the U.S. government. Samuel Remington offered to sell his revolvers at $15 each—$10 less than Colt's .44-cal. revolvers. By the end of March 1862, the Army had taken delivery of 7,250 .36-cal. revolvers and 850 .44-cal. Beals revolvers at $15 each.

The design features a topstrap, solid-frame construction, which contributed to its durability. The internal lockwork is simpler than that of Colt revolvers, with the cylinder stop and trigger sharing the same through-frame screw. A downside is that the barrel and receiver are a single piece, making barrel cleaning more difficult. The 1863 Model introduced safety slots milled between chambers on the cylinder, allowing the hammer to be secured between chambers for safe carry. The revolver also permitted easy cylinder removal for quick reloading with a spare pre-loaded cylinder, though spare cylinders were not provided by the Army.

Three progressive models were made: the Remington-Beals Army & Navy (1860–1862), the 1861 Army & Navy (1862–1863), and the New Model Army & Navy (1863–1875). They are nearly identical in size and appearance, with subtle differences in hammers, loading levers, and cylinders. The 1861 Remington transitioned into New Model appearance by late 1862 due to continual improvement suggestions from the U.S. Ordnance Department.

Reader's Guide

The Remington Model 1858 is significant as the beginning of a successful line of medium and large frame pistols for E. Remington & Sons. Its solid-frame design offered strength and simplicity, and the safety slots were an innovative safety feature for the era. The revolver saw use around the world, and its metallic cartridge conversions, beginning in 1868 in .46 rimfire, were the first large-caliber cartridge revolvers available, beating Smith & Wesson's .44 American to market by nearly two years. Individual gunsmiths also produced conversions in calibers such as .44-40 and .45 Colt. The design lives on in modern replicas from Italian manufacturers, popular in civil war reenacting and Cowboy Action Shooting. Drop-in conversion cylinders allow firing of low-pressure modern cartridges without altering the frame. Due to the value and delicacy of original revolvers, they are not recommended for modern shooting purposes.

Did You Know?

• Samuel Remington offered his revolvers to the U.S. government at $15 each—$10 less than Colt's .44-cal. revolvers.
• Buffalo Bill Cody used an ivory-handled New Model Army .44 from 1863 until 1906; it sold at auction in June 2012 for US$239,000.