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AMERICAN CIVIL WAR

Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter


Remington Model 1858 Army


Six-Shot Percussion Revolver [ 1861 ]



The Remington Model 1858 proved hugely popular during the American Civil War for its inherent structural strength, firepower and reliability.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/26/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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Remington Arms gained considerable popularity during the American Civil War (1861-1865) with their line of rugged and reliable six-shooters. Use of a frame "strap" above the cylinder improved the structure over that of competing Colts which utilized an open frame that could lead to "frame stretching" over time. The Remington Model 1858 Army appeared prior to the war and continued use of the top-strap frame design. While stamped with the year of "1858", many Remington Model 1858s did not see widespread circulation until 1861-1862. Production totaled 132,000 examples from 1862 into 1875. Design of the Model 1858 was attributed to Fordyce Beals whose surname appeared on several preceding Remington guns.

The Model 1858 featured a brass trigger guard, an octagonal barrel assembly and the Remington-style "web" at the loading lever - all which added to the classic Remington "look". The hammer lay exposed at the rear of the frame in the usual way, accessible by the primary hand's thumb for easier management. Sights were fitted at the front and rear of the gun which held an effective range out to 75 yards. The trigger was laid within an oblong loop and just ahead of the well-curved wood-covered grip handle. The cylinder lay at the center of the gun in the usual way. Overall weight was 2lbs, 13oz with a running length of 13.25 inches. Barrels measured 8 inches long.©MilitaryFactory.com
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The Model 1858 fired from a six-chamber revolving cylinder. Each chamber was filled individually through either powder-and-ball or paper cartridges depending on the period and gun actual model. The latter proved popular as time wore on though these were eventually replaced by full cartridge conversions. The chambers were rammed by an integrated ramming lever seated under the barrel and aligned against one chamber at a time. Loading was through the front opening of each chamber located at the front of the cylinder proper.

As a percussion revolver, the Model 1858 utilized the "percussion cap" method of actuation. These caps (akin to a child's toy cap pistol) were placed upon nipples found at each chamber base along the cylinder to which the hammer action acted upon the cap, a resulting spark igniting the powder or propellant seated in the chamber. The resulting pressures forced the ball or bullet out of the muzzle of the barrel through basic physics. Muzzle velocity was rated between 550 and 1,290 feet per second which gave the gun good man-stopping power. The trigger was of either single- or double-action form depending on model purchased.

The Remington Model 1858 eventually saw widespread use throughout the American Civil War (by both Union and the Confederate armies) and globally. It managed its way to Britain, France, Japan, Mexico and Russia as well as seeing use through American Indian tribes. Many saw combat service after the Civil War through the American Indian Wars, the violent American "Wild West" period and during the Franco-Prussian War. Beginning in 1858, existing guns were offered a conversion process to .46 rimfire self-contained cartridges. Other conversions eventually included .32 rimfire, .38/100 rimfire and .44 Remington.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1861

Origin
United States national flag graphic
United States

Classification


Six-Shot Percussion Revolver


National flag of France National flag of modern Japan National flag of Mexico National flag of Russia National flag of the United Kingdom National flag of the Confederate States of America National flag of the United States Confederate States; France; Japan; Mexico; Russia; United Kingdom; United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Pistol / Sidearm
Compact design for close-quarters work or general self-defense.


Overall Length
342 mm
13.46 in
Barrel Length
203 mm
7.99 in
Empty Wgt
2.80 lb
1.27 kg
Sights


Front and Rear Iron


Action


Single- or Double-Action; Rotating Cylinder; Percussion Cap

Percussion Cap
Utilizes the percussion cap system of operation to actuate ignition of propellant; much like a child's cap gun, small explosive caps are set upon nipples and these are actuated by a falling hammer previously cocked.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)


Caliber(s)*


.31; .36; .44; .32 RF; .38/100; .44 Remington; .46 rimfire

Rounds / Feed


6-round cylinder
Cartridge relative size chart
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
Max Eff.Range
300 ft
(91 m | 100 yd)
Rate-of-Fire
6
rds/min
Muzzle Velocity
750 ft/sec
(229 m/sec)


Model 1858 - Base Series Designation


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