The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Here's the deal. I found on Armslist this Remington New Army. The seller says that The cylinder can be removed and rifling is in good shape. But he cylinder is a little loose and does not always index correctly. What do I need to look for if I go inspect the pistol? I understand that a lot of these firearms were used in the War between the States (roughly 150,000 if I remember correctly) but how can one identify an issued New Army? Can this gun be fixed and returned to firing condition? I will buy a replica to shoot but I would like to fire a piece of US Civil war history from time to time. He is sending me more pics and I will past them along ASAP. He's asking $150 for the revolver. Thanks!

For $150 it more than likely is just a reproduction. If you get it PM me and I'll send you links to a bunch of sites that were very helpful in my rebuilding a .44 BP revolver that had the maker's stamps removed. My first guess would be the same as one of the problems that mine had, the little "leg" on the bolt was bent, which threw it out of timing. They're not difficult to work on or get parts for, I'd snag it at that price right off, especially being the New Army model, with the top strap they're a lot stronger than the Navy model and handle heavier loads better.

It is was a real one it'd be worth about ten times that even in a "non-shooting" condition

mogunner wrote:For $150 it more than likely is just a reproduction. If you get it PM me and I'll send you links to a bunch of sites that were very helpful in my rebuilding a .44 BP revolver that had the maker's stamps removed. My first guess would be the same as one of the problems that mine had, the little "leg" on the bolt was bent, which threw it out of timing. They're not difficult to work on or get parts for, I'd snag it at that price right off, especially being the New Army model, with the top strap they're a lot stronger than the Navy model and handle heavier loads better.

It is was a real one it'd be worth about ten times that even in a "non-shooting" condition

It must be a reproduction or the owner doesn't know what he has.

Reproductions do not have the Remington name on them, names however can be added. Looseness would be expected in so old a revolver, but they can be fixed, and some people do use originals, these were the strongest revolvers of their time.

The top of the grips don't look quite right, and the patina on it is almost too even, like it was stripped and done like that. Still, as long as the cylinders and barrel don't have any rust in them, it's worth right about that tops if a repro, right now I see an original in about that shape on Gunbroker with a $1200 reserve. Even if it turns out to be a repro as long as the main frame, cylinder and barrel are good the rest can be replaced fairly cheaply, hands and bolts only run $8-12, the hammer is kinda pricey at $40 but your timing is set with just the hand and bolt and the notches on the cylinder.

The reenactors have guys who can make repops look very close to the real thing, enough that someone getting hold of it who hasn't been told what was done to it can be fooled into thinking it's the real deal. I have seen these guys come up with some amazingly good fakes for their historical impersonations.

Can anybody give me some pointers on what to look at to acertain if its a repo or not?

If it's been worked over then the Italian markings have been removed, for $150 you can buy it without risk, if it's the real deal then you hit a major home run, if it's Italian then you can easily get parts to repair it to new. The reenactors would buy this from you later on if you wanted to move it.

This x2

Here are the pics he sent me, there is a G and J stamped on the left side of the gun, they are in one of the pictures.

I smell an artificially aged repro. Go into this deal knowing that, and even at $150, it's still an OK deal. If it were to turnout to be real (I am not infallible, after all), you will have lucked out. IF it does turn out to be original- DO NOT ALTER IT IN ANY WAY! It will destroy all collector value and interest. This means you probably would not end up being able to fire it, but for having an original 1858 for $150, I'd sure be able to live with that. I'd build it a nice display, and proudly display it. (Doubly so in my case, as an 1858 is what my Gr-Gr-Grandfather was issued as an Artillery Sgt.)

Buy it even if it is a reproduction. Like every one else said if it is a reproduction you can fix it and shoot it.
If it turns out to be authentic then you hit a home run. Ether way at 150$ you can't loose.

He has bought it, it seems to be the real deal, and is posted in another thread.