Newly inherited 1875

Topics related to Pre - 1898 Remington Pistols
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IanH
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:14 am

Newly inherited 1875

Post by IanH »

I have to come clean, I had little interest in older firearms until I got my Great Grandfather's 1875, i dove into the internet looking for all the info I could find. Not to anyone in this forums surprise there isnt much out there and everything referred me back to this fourm and RSA.

Now the dreaded question. Can we date it?

As far as I can tell its an early frame but a later production.
-Stamping on Barrel reads from frame to post
-No ejector rebate
-pinched front sight
-no calibre stamping, indicating. 44remington

Updated
-3 digit batch number with 4 digit serial
-cone firing pin
-optinal deleted lanyard ring

I checked and the serial matches ok n the frame, trigger guard, and loading gate, and the batch number is stamped into the hand guards. There is a number stamped in the face of the cylinder that doesn't match anything so im at a loss there. Any help would be appreciated

Additionally it has a broken main spring, i do not intend to fire this weapon, i plan to display it. . . But does anyone know of a specialist where i could have repair/restoration work done?
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billt
Posts: 258
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 6:42 pm

Re: Newly inherited 1875

Post by billt »

Hello Ian,
You have a revolver which as you have noticed has features of the early 44 Remington caliber and later 44-40 and 45 caliber revolvers. The 1761 number is either the serial or the batch number. The batch number is usually thought to be three digits but in my research I have found batches which had over 1000 revolvers. It could be a serial number from the original run of 15 thousand plus (44 Remington caliber) revolvers or the second serial set of 1900 revolvers. I do not think it is from the original run because the “E” in Remington (in the barrel address) is missing the cross bar because of a broken die which I believe was never repaired. The die broke somewhere after serial number 3500. The three digit number which looks to me to be 295 may be an assembly number. So could the number on the back of the cylinder (418 ?). Assembly numbers were placed on certain parts of excess 44 Remington caliber revolvers when they were re-chambered to 44-40 or 45 caliber. They are usually found on the back of the cylinder, the bottom of the barrel (you have to remove the ejector housing), the top of the ejector housing and the frame under the left grip. Could you check to see if there are any additional numbers on these parts?
In order to determine the caliber you can try to insert a 44-40 caliber round in the cylinder chambers. If it goes only half way in the caliber is 44 Remington. If it goes all the way in it is a 44-40 of 45 caliber. If no cartridge is available you can measure the diameter of the ratchet on the back of the cylinder. The ratchet on a 44 Remington will be about 0.55 inches while a 44-40 or 45 caliber cylinder will be about 0.504.
Could you please take a picture of the hammer face showing the firing pin and a picture of the hole in the frame into which the hammer falls.

Thanks,

Bill
IanH
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:14 am

Re: Newly inherited 1875

Post by IanH »

Bill
Thanks for the response and knowledge

I didnt even notice the crossbar on the E till you called that out.

So i completely disassembled the revolver I only found 2 additional marks, the hammer face above the firing pin has an "F", and on the frame under the trigger guard by the scree hole the is a "1". I was able to confirm that "1761" is stamped on the loading gate.
Nothing under the barrel or on the ejector housing

When i measured the ratchet i got ".517" Im going to do measurements again when i get home to my tool set and confirm that.

Looks like the early trigger(no safety latch)
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billt
Posts: 258
Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 6:42 pm

Re: Newly inherited 1875

Post by billt »

Hi Ian, Thanks for the additional pictures. The lack of matching assembly numbers on the ejector housing and the bottom of the barrel and the round firing pin hole lead me to believe this revolver was not re-chambered. With a ratchet measurement of .517 and a round top hammer with a cone firing pin along with the early trigger and no frame rebate or bevels, I am thinking you have an early 44-40 caliber revolver. That would mean you have either a second serial set revolver or an early batch processed revolver where the caliber mark on the grip has been worn off. Based on what I know I think your revolver was made around 1878 or 1879.

Bill
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