Remington New Model Army serial numbers provide a direct path to confirming production year and manufacturing sequence for collectors and owners. Understanding how these codes evolved helps you verify authenticity, estimate value, and complete accurate documentation.
This guide breaks down the most common number locations, format patterns, and dating references you will encounter when researching a Civil War era Remington New Model Army revolver.
| Period | Serial Number Range | Approximate Production Years | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract Start | 1–10,000 | 1861–1862 | Early deliveries to U.S. Ordnance Department, simple barrel markings |
| Mid War | 10,001–60,000 | 1862–1863 | Increased wartime output, varied subcontractor components |
| Peak Production | 60,001–120,000 | 1863–1864 | Standardized markings, polished finishes, widespread field use |
| Late War | 120,001–175,000 | 1864–1865 | Material shortages, varied grip styles, simplified inspector stamps |
Original Military Contract Specifications
The original government contract specified engraving standards, barrel length, and finish levels that affect how later collectors interpret serial progression. Tracking these specs against known serial bands helps identify whether a unit remained in original configuration or was modified after the war.
Contract Quantities and Timeline
Remington delivered over 14,000 revolvers under the initial 1861 agreement, with follow-on orders extending total production into the six-figure range by 1865. Military ledgers at the Ordnance Department link specific lot numbers to particular months, providing an internal reference when matching serial numbers to service records.
Civil War Service Use and Wear Patterns
Field conditions during the Civil War introduced nicks, thinning, and refinishing that leave a distinct timeline on the frame and grip panels. Examining cylinder stop notches and hammer spur contours reveals whether wear aligns with documented wartime deployment or later peacetime handling.
Identifying Battlefield Survivors
Revolvers with crisp markings around the trigger guard and consistent cartouche remnants are often examples that saw duty but survived without heavy ordnance overhaul. Conversely, mismatched component parts may indicate postwar repair rather than original field configuration.
Collector Grading and Market Value
Collector guides typically assign premium value to pieces with matching serial numbers across cylinder, frame, and grip panels, especially when documentation supports Civil War service. Originality, finish retention, and legibility of cartouches can shift pricing significantly within the same broad serial band.
Key Value Drivers
- Matching serial numbers on all major components
- Original factory finish or honest period conversion
- Provenance linking the revolver to a known regiment or officer
- Completeness of cartouches and inspector markings
Modern Reproduction Comparison
Contemporary reproductions often use numeric patterns that overlap historic ranges, making it essential to check subtle details such as font style, spacing, and surface texture. Side by side comparison with verified Civil War era examples helps separate period correct results from later manufacturing intended for sport or display.
Research and Verification Steps
Approach serial number research like a structured investigation, combining visible data with external references to build a reliable profile of the revolver you are examining.
- Record the exact serial number from the barrel, cylinder, and grip panel
- Photograph all markings in good light with a scale reference
- Cross check the number against published Remington Civil War production tables
- Search military archives for unit muster rolls linked to delivery lot numbers
- Consult an independent specialist for authentication if documentation is incomplete
FAQ
Reader questions
Where is the serial number located on a Remington New Model Army?
On most Civil War era examples, the primary serial number is rolled or hand engraved on the top of the barrel near the frame, with a matching number on the cylinder and sometimes on the grip frame beneath the guard.
Can the serial number be used to determine the exact month of manufacture?
While broad year ranges are reliable, pinpointing an exact month typically requires cross referencing military delivery ledgers, subcontractor component records, and surviving inspector reports, which are not always publicly accessible.
Do repaired or replaced cylinders affect serial number reliability?
If a factory cylinder is replaced with a non matching part, the revolver loses its value as an original example, even when the frame number remains consistent with period records and documentation.
How does finish condition impact the interpretation of serial numbers?
Heavy polishing, rebluing, or amateur restoration can obscure original markings, making it harder to read the serial number and increasing the risk of misdating or misattribution without careful examination under good lighting.