Historians - Want To Trace Antique Revolver History

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ocdart

ocdart

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Any help you can suggest is greatly appreciated.
I have my great-great grandfathers 1861 Remington Old Army revolver and would like to trace its history. I know the description is accurate because of the patent date. I also have the serial number.
One thing that is slight different from the photos I've found online is the front sight - it's a larger blade than than what's shown on the following downloaded pic.
Any suggestions on how to trace its history is appreciated




Remington1861OldArmy.jpg
 
ocdart said:
Thanks, but I tried that. Remington doesn't have any records that go back that far.
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Darn, that's what I would have suggested. Any military markings? You might be able to get some history that way.

Nice peice BTW. They were stronger than the Colts due to the topstrap and Rugers cap and ball revolvers are almost identical in size and shape.
 
plumcrazy704406 said:
you may wish to contact this auction house.http://jamesdjulia.com/
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Thanks, but it's not for sale. As far as I know, it's been in the family since the original purchase and it will be handed down to my son when I'm gone. I'd just like to track down where it was originally purchased if possible to see if it matches up with the family history that I know of.
 
OCDart,

Have you tried the NRA? They have all sorts of experts on their staff - maybe they can help.

BlindSquirrel
 
Ken, try taking to one of the larger auction house's free appraisal days. We took some old paintings to Butterfields in San Francisco a couple of years ago. It's like going to an episode of "Antiques Roadshow". You could also call ahead and see if they have 1) a firearm specialist or 2) a Civil/pre-Civil war expert on hand that day.
 
Auction houses are a great way to find out the history, provenance, or origin of a particular item. You don`t necessarily have to be consigning a piece for auction to utilize an auction houses expertise in certain items. Auction houses generally are staffed with qualified people in many different fields. Generally, if they can`t answer your questions they can find people who can. Anyway you go, the history will start with the serial number and the search for an original invoice or record of initial purchase. You should be able to find someone out there that can steer you in the right direction. Try networking with others in vintage weaponry and see what that brings.
 
I would doubt you will be able to trace it's original purchase or military issue location. There was no need for such record keeping then. As you found out the manufacturer can at best tell you what you have, and approximately when it was made. Remington has had several owners over the years including DuPont and currently Cerberus, the company that recently held Chrysler. Production records may still exist in a warehouse somewhere, but good luck accessing them (Headquarters is no longer in Ilion, NY). I doubt the Army still has issue records either.

If this pistol has been in your family for a long time, you probably know all the history there is to know already. Obviously if the pistol had been carried by somebody famous in a famous battle, and there was written documentation it would add to the value. Otherwise you have a nice Civil War era pistol which is probably worth as much as a family heirloom as it is as a collectors item. Stop by a local gun shop, I'm sure somebody there can tell you more about it.

As for the sight blade, I have a one that my great grandfather filed out of a nickel. So if it looks home made, it may well be...
 
I found an antique weapons dealer in the Yellow Pages and went to see him today.
He verified what the gun is and also said there's absolutely no way to trace the original purchase location since detailed records weren't kept back then and so many businesses sold guns. He also confirmed the front sight on my gun is an outstanding example of a "German Silver" blade front sight that was made and installed by a local gunsmith. His exact words were, "That front sight proves that this gun was used by someone who knew how to use it and planned to use it. It's a fine example of the work that was done west of the Rocky Mountains". He said this type of front sight was the "Micro Sights" of its day.
I also found out the holster is a "California-style" holster and was originally for a Colt. Unfortunately, no markings on the holster as any markings would have greatly increased the holster value.
So, there's the story of my family heirloom Remington 1861 Old Army .44 cal. revolver that belonged to my great-great-grandfather. If you would like to see him, he was the model for the Trapper on the "This Is The Place" monument at the mouth of Emigration Canyon just outside of Salt Lake City, UT. The bronze statue was made by his nephew.
 
Longgone said:
Auction houses are a great way to find out the history, provenance, or origin of a particular item. You don`t necessarily have to be consigning a piece for auction to utilize an auction houses expertise in certain items. Auction houses generally are staffed with qualified people in many different fields. Generally, if they can`t answer your questions they can find people who can. Anyway you go, the history will start with the serial number and the search for an original invoice or record of initial purchase. You should be able to find someone out there that can steer you in the right direction. Try networking with others in vintage weaponry and see what that brings.
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this was what I was getting at. :read2:

it is always in their interest to give you an opinion, just in case at some time in life you may consider consigning the piece
 
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