Remmington 1858 Revolver Dates ?

The caliber is not given but if it is .44, the guns are the Remington New Model Army (no, no connection with Cromwell); if in .36 caliber, they are the New Model Navy. In the U.S., .44 caliber was considered the Army caliber; the Navy (which didn't have to shoot horses) usually used the .36 caliber. In fact, of course, there was no hard and fast rule, and both services used both calibers.

Both guns are called "Model 1858" by collectors because of the patent date, but Remington did not use that nomenclature, nor did the U.S. Army, which bought some 122,000 44's and 28,000 Navy revolvers during the American Civil War. They were also a favorite of Confederate forces when they were able to capture them. In spite of the "Model 1858" designation, none were actually made until 1863, so they came on the scene later than the more common Colt revolvers. Both models were made, in percussion, until the 1870's.

Jim

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