Make: Remington
Model: 1858 New Model Army
Serial Number: 31258
Year of Manufacture: Circa August. 1863 / Antique
]Caliber: .44 Caliber Ball
Action Type: Percussion Cap and Ball Single Action Revolver
Markings: The left side of the grip frame and the barrel are marked with matching serials "31258". The left side of the loading lever, both sides of the barrel, both sides of the frame, and bottom of the trigger guard are marked "A". The left side of the frame behind the trigger guard is marked "G". The top of the barrel is marked "PATENTED SEPT 14 1858 / E.REMINGTON & SONS.ILION NEW YORK.U.S.A.". The bottom of the barrel is marked "R" in front of the loading lever latch.
Barrel Length: 8"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a motised cone. The cone has been rounded at the top. The rear sight is a "V" notch at the end of a groove in the top strap.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. There are scattered handling marks and compressions. The left grip has a repaired crack from top to bottom. There are tiny losses along the edges. The screw escutcheons are loose. There is verdigris around the screw escutcheons. The grips rate in about Fair overall condition as repaired Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue with Brass Trigger Guard
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is defined with some minor rounding. There is scattered light pitting in the bore, generally toward the muzzle. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 5% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn to a mottled dark patina. There is oxidation, pitting, and erosion throughout. There are scattered nicks and scratches. The cylinder has a turn line and the brass trigger guard has developed an attractive patina. The screwheads display too marks but retain serviceable slots. The markings are generally clear. Overall, this revolver is in about Good condition as an Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The mainspring is strong and the cylinder locks up very well with only faint movement. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Remington New Model Army was introduced in 1863 as the final and most successful development of Remington’s solid-frame percussion revolver, replacing the short-lived Model 1861 or "Old Model." Its robust topstrap frame, easily removable cylinder, and competitive government pricing made it one of the principal Union revolvers of the Civil War. The U.S. Ordnance Department accepted more than 109,000 .44-caliber New Model revolvers during 1863-1865, and by the latter part of the war Remington had become the government’s primary supplier of military revolvers. Serial number 31258 falls within the Remington Society of America’s estimated August 1863 range of 29905-34525, placing this revolver firmly within wartime production.
This Civil War-era example retains about 5% of its original finish, with the balance aged to a dark mottled patina accompanied by oxidation, pitting, erosion, nicks, and scratches. The two-piece walnut grips rate in Fair condition as repaired antiques, including a repaired full-length crack in the left panel and small edge losses. The bore rates 6/10 with defined rifling and scattered light pitting, while the action functions correctly with a strong mainspring and notably tight cylinder lockup. The barrel and grip frame carry matching serial number 31258, and the numerous single-letter subinspection marks are consistent with the inspection practices encountered on military-production Remington revolvers. As an August 1863 New Model Army produced at the height of the Civil War, this is an honest, heavily used survivor of the revolver that increasingly armed Union cavalry as the conflict progressed.
