Remington Model 1890
A scarce Remington single-action revolver from the Old West era.
The Remington Model 1890 New Model Army is a single-action revolver built by Remington Arms. It drew from the successful Remington Model 1875 and the less common Model 1888, sharing their size, look, and removable cylinder. The 1890 kept the solid frame and similar styling of the 1875, but dropped the large web under the ejector rod housing and used checkered rubber grips. Like the 1875, it was designed for metallic cartridges, but was only made in .44-40 caliber.
Remington entered the cartridge revolver market in 1875 with a large-frame, army-style six-shooter meant to rival the Colt Peacemaker. Both ordinary citizens and Old West lawmen valued the sturdy build of these new Remingtons. The changes in the 1890 aimed to make it more like competing Colt single-action pistols of the time.
After producing a few Model 1888 transition revolvers—called the "New Model Pocket Army"—Remington started making the Model 1890 Single Action Army revolver. It was manufactured from 1890 to 1896 in very small numbers, and is now one of the most sought-after Remington handguns. Standard barrel lengths were 7½ inches or 5½ inches. Of the 2,020 produced, a few served as sidearms for Indian police on Western reservations.
The Model 1888 was an intermediate, transitional model introduced in 1888 and 1889, with total production under 1,000 units. It was built mostly from 1875 parts, so duplicate batch and serial numbers exist, though assembly numbers stay below the low 300s. Nearly all were nickel-plated, with fewer than a handful known in blue. Visually, it matches the Model 1890 except for the barrel address. Its caliber was .44-40, and many left grips are marked "44" or "44W". A dealer catalog lists the barrel at 7½ inches, but examples with 5½-inch barrels have been found. The ejector housing looks identical to the Model 1890. New York sporting arms dealers Hartley and Graham took over E. Remington & Sons and renamed it Remington Arms Company in 1888, and this model may have been assembled solely for them.
Modern reproductions by Uberti are not exact copies but resemble the old Remington revolver. They are chambered for modern smokeless powder cartridges like the .357 Magnum, so they look and feel like an Old West "cowboy" gun but use modern metallurgy.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United States
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Manufacturer
- Remington Arms
- Unit Cost
- US$10.70
- Production Date
- 1890–1896
- Number
- 2,020
- Variants
- blued or nickel finish
- Part Length
- 5+3/4 or
- Cartridge
- .44-40 Winchester only
- Action
- Single-action
- Max Range
- 50 meters
- Feed
- 6-shot Cylinder
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Remington Model 1890 retained the solid frame and similar styling of the Model 1875, but lacked the large web under the ejector rod housing and was equipped with checkered rubber grips. It was issued only in .44-40 caliber. The changes made to the 1890 were an attempt to make it more similar to the competing Colt single-action pistols of the era.
After the production of a few Model 1888 transition revolvers called the 'New Model Pocket Army', Remington began production of the Model 1890. Standard barrel lengths were either inches or inches. Of the 2,020 produced, a handful of Remington 1890s saw service as side arms by Indian police on Western reservations.
The Model 1888 transitional revolver, made in 1888 and 1889 only, is visually identical to the Model 1890 except for the address on top of the barrel. Nearly all Model 1888s are nickel, with less than a handful known in blue. The ejector housing is visually identical to the Model 1890.
Reader's Guide
The Remington Model 1890 represents the final iteration of Remington's big-frame, army-style cartridge revolvers that began with the Model 1875. Its production in very small numbers—only 2,020 units over six years—makes it one of the rarest and most collectible Remington handguns. The revolver was an attempt to better compete with the Colt single-action pistols of the era, and its design changes, such as the removal of the large web under the ejector rod and the adoption of checkered rubber grips, reflect that effort.
A handful of these revolvers saw actual service as side arms for Indian police on Western reservations, adding to their historical significance. Modern reproductions by Uberti chambered in .357 Magnum keep the visual style alive, though they are not exact copies and use modern metallurgy. The Model 1890's legacy is tied to the closing years of the Old West and the transition of Remington from the original E. Remington & Sons to the Remington Arms Company.
Did You Know?
- The Remington Model 1890 was manufactured between 1890 and 1896 in very small numbers.
- Only 2,020 Model 1890 revolvers were produced.
- The Model 1890 lacked the large web under the ejector rod housing found on the Model 1875.
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