Remington Model 1858

Remington New Model
Remington New Model Army Revolver made c. 1863 - 1875.
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States  Confederate States  United Kingdom  Australia  Russian Empire  Second Mexican Empire  Mexico  Empire of Japan  France Native Americans
Wars	American Civil War American Indian Wars Franco-Prussian War
Production history
Designer	Fordyce Beals
Designed	1858
Manufacturer	Remington Arms
Produced	1862 to 1875
No. built	Over 230,000
Variants	10
Specifications
Weight	2 lb, 13 oz (1.27 kg)
Length	13.25 in (337 mm)
Barrel length	8 in (203 mm)
Cartridge	Powder & 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), .46 rimfire (converted)
Action	Single and Double action
Muzzle velocity	550–1286 ft/s
Effective firing range	sighted in at 75 yards
Feed system	6 round cylinder (5 round pocket)
Sights	Fixed Post, Notched Top Strap

The Remington-Beals Model Revolvers 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. It is commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as the Model 1858 due to the patent markings on its cylinder, "PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A./NEW MODEL."; although wide scale production did not start until 1861.

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. It was more expensive, by "50 cents" (a difference of more than US$12 in 2013 dollars), than the Colt, but those who could afford it remarked on its durability.

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.

The Remington is a single-action, six-shot, percussion revolver produced by E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y., based on the Fordyce Beals patent of September 14, 1858 (Patent 21,478). The Remington Army revolver is large-framed, in .44 caliber, with an 8 inch barrel length. The Remington Navy revolver is slightly smaller framed than the Army, and in .36 caliber with an 7.375 inch [Beals Navy 7.5 inch] barrel length. There were three progressive models made; the Remington-Beals Army & Navy (1860–1862), the 1861 Army & Navy (1862–1863), and the New Model Army & Navy (1863–1875). The three models are nearly identical in size and appearance. Subtle but noticeable differences in hammers, loading levers, and cylinders help identify each model. The 1861 Remington actually transitioned into New Model appearance by late 1862, slowly transforming throughout 1862, due to continual improvement suggestions from the U. S. Ordnance Department.

Remington percussion revolvers are very accurate and capable of considerable power with muzzle velocities in the range of 550 to 1286+ feet-per-second, depending upon the charge loaded by the shooter. Combustible cartridge velocities averaged from 700 to 900 feet per second (270 m/s), depending on powder quality, charge and conical bullet weight. Combustibles were usually loaded with a special high performance sporting grade black powder, using the minimum charge required for a specified impact level, usually determined by pine penetration tests. The special powder and minimal charge reduced black powder fouling, allowing revolvers to be fired as much as possible before cleaning was necessary.