New Model Army Revolver?

[FiremarshalBill]

Hi Guys,

I have what I believe is a Civil War vintage Remington New Model .44 caliber army revolver. I bought it about 18 years ago and it has been hanging in a glass-enclosed oak case since then.

The serial number 50250 is stamped on the bottom of the octagon barrel, and on the left side of the grip frame (under the wooden grip).

The capital letter "L" is stamped on the left side of the frame just to the rear of the cylinder, on the side of the cylinder (towards the rear end), on the brass trigger guard (just forward of the trigger guard), and on the right side of the barrel (just forward of the frame).

The capitol letter "C" is stamped on the bottom of the right wooden grip, and on left side of the barrel just forward of the frame.

The capitol letter "W" is stamped on the side of the cylinder (toward the front end), and on the left side of the loading mechanism.

The inspector's cartouche stamp is on the left wooden grip, and the full three-line Remington address is stamped on the top of the barrel. The action works fine and overall the weapon is in Very Good or better condition (photos available).

I did some research many years ago with a company called the Civil War Weapons Search (P.O. Box 1861, Barrington, Illinois, 60011) and was told by them that this particular revolver (serial #50250) is in the same serial number range as Federal Government contract revolvers that were issued to either the 19th New York Volunteer Cavalry/Oct 1864, or the 3rd Arkansas (U.S.) Volunteer Cavalry/March 1864. They go on to say "The information for the above serial number was found in Company and Regimental Books which are presently stored the National Archives, Washington, D.C. under Record Group #94".

I would very much like to learn more about the history of this revolver. Can anyone confirm this is indeed a Civil War vintage Remington, and that it might have been issued to one of the above regiments? Where might I look to see if the information provided by the Civil War Weapons Search is correct? I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks.

Bill Waite
Oak Harbor, WA

[FiremarshalBill]

BonitaBoater,

According to: http://oldwirefence.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... erial.html
it appears your New Army revolver was produced in November of 1863.

FiremarshalBill