Superb Remington model 1871 Army .50 calibre pistol
Here is another superb 1871 Remington Rolling Block Pistol in obsolete 50 calibre Remington centrefire and in the top 5% of quality attainable.
It is hard to know exactly why Remington made rolling block pistols when they did, since revolvers were so well established. Probably they were already tooled up for rolling block rifles, so making pistols didnt require an additional investment. Remington revolver sales were in a slump, because from 1855 to 1871 Smith & Wesson had effectively tied up manufacture of advanced cartridge revolvers by licensing the Rollin White patent that covered any cylinder drilled through from end to end. Remington had only percussion pistols on offer during those years.
The 1871 pistol was modified from earlier versions by moving the trigger and trigger guard forward and adding a spur to the grip to assist in controlling recoil. A firing pin retractor was also added. This pistol was commonly called the "Army and Navy".
Manufactured circa 1872 to 1888 with a total production of approximately 6,000, with approximately 5,000 sold to the U.S. government. The pistol has an 8" blue barrel, casehardened frame with the distinctive 'hump' or spur on the back strap, the trigger is niter blue and bright hammer and breech block. The left side of the frame is marked "REMINGTON'S ILION N.Y. U.S.A. / PAT MAY 3D NOV 15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1866" and stamped with a "P" and "S" below and ahead of the marking. The pistol is mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and one piece smooth grip with a boxed script "C.R.S." inspection cartouche on the left.
This pistol really is at the top end of the condition scale with evidence of case hardening, sharp inspectors cartouche, even toning and a super bore. From the breach plate it was
evidently little used if at all and the screw heads indicate it has not been messed with.
These pistols are underestimated and are an interesting diversion from the revolvers that were dominant at this time.
This is the best Remington 1871 Army I have handled to date and would be difficult to improve on.
Code: 50242