Remington Model 1858

Remington New Model Army
Remington New Model Army Revolver made c. 1863 - 1875.
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1858–1873
Used byUnited States
Confederate States
Native Americans
Hawaiian Kingdom
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia
France
Russian Empire
Empire of Japan
Second Mexican Empire
WarsAmerican Civil War
American Indian Wars
Fenian Raid
Red River Rebellion
Franco-Prussian War
Boshin War
Second French intervention in Mexico
Production history
DesignerFordyce Beals
Designed1858
ManufacturerRemington Arms
Produced1858 to 1875
No. builtOver 230,000
Variants10
Specifications
Mass2 lb, 13 oz (1.27 kg)
Length13.25 in (337 mm)
Barrel length8 in (203 mm)

CartridgePowder & ball or Paper cartridge with conical bullet
Metallic cartridge for conversion
Caliber.31, .36, and .44 percussion,
.32 rimfire (converted),
.38 centerfire (converted),
.38 rimfire (converted),
.44 centerfire (converted),
.46 rimfire (converted)
ActionSingle-action
Muzzle velocity550–1286 ft/s
Effective firing rangesighted in at 75 yards
Feed system6 round cylinder (5 round pocket)
SightsFixed Post, Notched Top Strap

The Remington-Beals Model Revolvers[dubiousdiscuss] along with subsequent models and variations were percussion revolvers manufactured by Eliphalet Remington & Sons in .31 (Pocket) .36 (Navy) or .44 (Army) caliber, used during the American Civil War, and was the beginning of a successful line of medium and large frame pistols. They are commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as the Model 1858 due to the patent markings on its New Model barrels, "PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A./NEW MODEL."; although wide scale production did not start until 1861.[1][need quotation to verify][additional citation(s) needed]

The Remington revolver was a secondary, supplemental issue firearm for the Union Army until the Colt factory fire of 1864. Due to the fire, the Colt 1860 Army was not available for some time. Subsequently, large numbers of the Remington revolver were ordered by the U.S. government. Samuel Remington traveled to Washington in the fall of 1861, offering to sell his revolvers to the government at a cost of $15 each—or $10 less than what Colt was charging the Ordnance Department for its .44-cal. revolvers. Even with the reduced cost, the Army, by the end of March 1862, had taken delivery from the Remington factory of only 7,250 .36-cal. revolvers and 850 .44-cal. Beals revolvers at a cost to the Army of $15 each.

It saw use in the American West, both in its original percussion configuration and as a metallic cartridge conversion, as well as around the world.

  1. ^ Bequette, Roy Marcot; edited by James W.; Gangloff, Joel J. Hutchcroft; foreword by Arthur W. Wheaton; chapter introductions by Richard F. Dietz; book design by Robert L. (1998). Remington : "America's oldest gunmaker". Peoria, IL: Primedia. ISBN 1-881657-00-0. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)