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RARE REMINGTON ELLIOTT US NAVY CARTRIDGE CONVERSION, ENGRAVED

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This is a rare Remington, one of just 1,020 Remington percussion Navy revolvers altered to .38 caliber centerfire for the government by Remington in 1875. This is to be distinguished from five or six thousand New Model navies in the 36,000 to 42,000 serial number range that had remained on hand at the factory and were converted starting in 1873. This 1875 group, however, comprises Remington navies of various types (Beals, Elliot, and New Model) with earlier serial numbers (all the way from 13,500 to 32,000) that came from Navy stores not disposed of in their postwar surplus sales and comprised many pistols with an active history. As Ware notes: “Many had served in naval engagements during the Civil War in the Western Flotilla, the Mississippi Squadron, the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron, and with Farragut at New Orleans. Postwar duties included service in European and Asiatic waters.” Once altered to take metallic cartridges, these were shipped back to the navy, 985 going to Mare Island in California and 35 to the New York shipyard, and remained in service until about 1889, when, with twenty-five or more years of service behind then, they were sold off after the introduction of the Colt double-action revolvers. This one clearly then  made its way onto the commercial market where it was engraved, likely to make it a more attractive purchase.

In the Remington typology, this is a Remington Elliot navy revolver, as reflected in the barrel address: “PATENTED DEC.17 1861 / MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTONS’ ILION. N.Y.” This refers to William H. Elliot’s patent for an improvement in the loading lever-cylinder arrangement, for the use of which Remington was paying a royalty. About 5,000 of these were made with production transitioning into the Remington New Model. There is no sign of a New Model designation added below the second address line, leading us to categorize it as simply an Elliot. This is serial numbered on the underside of the barrel 20792, dating its production to February or March 1863. It also bears an assembly number 225, applied in the conversion process.

The pistol rates good for condition, with a missing ejector assembly on the right and replaced front sight holding it back. The pistol is largely gray with scattered age stains. The metal is smooth, showing some scratches and small dings, and some fine pitting on one side of the cylinder. The barrel, though shows some faint blue in places, from the re-bluing that was done during the alteration, though the barrel address shows some of softness consequent on polishing the metal in preparation for that process. The grips have good color, but dings, scratches and a couple of small chips from use, with a little wear to the lower edges and age shrinkage along the buttstrap. As is correct on these pistols, there are no re-inspection marks. In its civilian life, the pistol was engraved with a simple border line and flowing leaf on the rear right frame, and with a slightly larger leaf on the upper left. This could have been done by an owner, but is more likely an addition by a surplus retailer. Mechanics are good.

As Ware notes in his book on Remingtons, these pistols had a long service life and any of this pattern is a rare survivor.  [sr] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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