REMINGTONARMY AND NAVY

REVOLVERS1861–1888

REMINGTONARMY AND NAVY

REVOLVERS1861–1888

Donald L. Ware

University of New Mexico Press

ALBUQUERQUE

© 2007 by the University of New Mexico Press

All rights reserved. Published 2007

Printed in the United States of America

13 12 11 10 09 08 07 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ware, Donald L., 1927–

Remington army and navy revolvers, 1861–1888 / Donald L. Ware.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-8263-4280-5 (cloth : alk. paper)

1. Remington pistols—History—19th century. 2. E. Remington & Sons—History—

19th century. 3. United States—Armed Forces—Firearms—History—19th century.

4. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Equipment and supplies. I. Title.

UD413.W37 2007

623.4'436097309034—dc22

2007002884

Book design and composition by Damien Shay

Body type is Minion 10.5/14

Display is Toussant and Impact

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE vii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix

PROLOGUE xi

INTRODUCTION xxvii

Remington Historical Background

CHAPTER ONE 1

Remington Navy Revolvers Purchased by theArmy Ordnance Department

CHAPTER TWO 31

Remington’s First Revolver Contracts

CHAPTER THREE 73

Remington’s Second Army Revolver Contract

CHAPTER FOUR 91

Remington’s Third Army Revolver Contract

CHAPTER FIVE 123

Remington’s Fourth Army Revolver Contract

CHAPTER SIX 133

Remington Navy Revolvers Purchased by theBureau of Ordnance, U.S. Navy

CHAPTER SEVEN 191

Remington’s Civil War Rifle and Carbine Contracts

CHAPTER EIGHT 225

Metallic Cartridge Alterations

CHAPTER NINE 273

Metallic Cartridge Alterations for theBureau of Ordnance

CHAPTER TEN 329

Identifying Remington Army and Navy Revolvers

EPILOGUE 363

APPENDIX A 367

The Owen-Holt Commission

APPENDIX B 381

Remington–Ordnance Department’sCivil War Contracts

APPENDIX C 399

Serial Number–Production Date Tables

NOTES 403

INDEX 419

PREFACE

The original concept for this volume came about some twenty-odd years ago. Jerry Landskron

had just published his Remington Rolling Block Pistols. Jerry and I had devoted many

evenings in the den of my home, disassembling and studying the construction of dozens of

Rolling Block Pistols. Jack Daniels usually participated in these meetings but did not interfere

with the proceedings. Jerry’s diligent research at the National Archives, combined with our

hands-on studies of the pistols, provided him with the nucleus for his volume on the Rolling

Block Pistols.

When his book came off the press, I was duly impressed. This was the kind of research a col-

lector could rely on when looking for answers to questions about arms in his collection.

Faron “Slim” Kohler, another of my gun show buddies, raised the possibility of doing

research in the National Archives for information on Remington’s Army and Navy Revolvers. We

concluded that if there were enough information available, we too might undertake a writing

project. Due to the constraints of my employment, I sat on the sidelines while Slim and his wife,

Lois, made their first foray into the massive records of the archives. Being novices at this type of

research, they were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material offered but managed to

retrieve enough to convince us that such a project was possible. The following year, Slim and I

both made the pilgrimage. We decided before embarking that no information concerning any

type of firearm would be ignored. We copied and tabbed (the method of identifying a source,

which is then microfilmed) several hundred letters and reports to and from the Ordnance

Department and Bureau of Ordnance. We devoted two weeks to this trip, working every avail-

able hour the archives were open to the public.

Then came the waiting. It seemed as if the microfilm would never arrive. When it did,

there came another rash of processing the microfilm, making duplicate copies, and sorting all

this information into files. We were elated as the story of the development and procurement

of the Remington revolvers began to take form. There were still pieces of the puzzle missing

however. These mandated further visits to the archives, and after each trip, more of the pieces

fell into place.

We originally opted to relate the story in two volumes. The first would deal with the

Remington Navy Revolvers, as they had been the first produced. This was proceeding quite well

when subsequent thinking prevailed. Both Slim and I were well into our golden years, and the

possibility that the second volume would never be completed arose. Changing course, we

decided that we could study both the army and navy revolvers in one volume. In retrospect, this

seems to have been a good decision as the stories are entwined.

A decision was made early on that Slim would provide the photography and I would write

the text. I do not remember the reason for this, but considering that I had had a limited educa-

tion (through the ninth grade), I was biting off a mighty big chew.

vii

Fate took a hand in the development of this project when Slim became so ill he could no

longer participate. This put another burden on me, as I then had to search for the many photo-

graphs needed to illustrate the book. These came from many sources; a great many I took myself.

To all my many friends who have questioned me so many times about the publication date

of this volume, here it is, and I hope it meets your expectations.

One final remark: I have heard it said that no book is better than its editor. A profound

truth! Mr. Drury Williford has provided the substance to hold this story together. An accom-

plished arms researcher and author in his own right, he has spent many hours editing and re-

editing these pages. Were it not for his constant encouragement, this project would have been

abandoned long ago.

I also owe a profound thanks to my daughter, Susan L. Wrye-Jaramillo, who did the final edit

and rectified the many errors that occurred in converting to the Microsoft Word processing pro-

gram. Even my grandson got into the act. He converted all of my tables, which had originally

been processed in WordPerfect, to the MSWord format. Thank you, Matthew Wrye.

DON WARERussellville, Arkansas

August 10, 2006

viii

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

E very author realizes that the final product of his labors would not have come to fruition

without the generous help and assistance of others. Any literary work, whether fact or fic-

tion, is the accumulation of the efforts of many people. The following all have my gratitude.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, during whose presidential tenure the National Archives and

Records Administration were initiated and early records cataloged and filed by the Works

Project Administration.

Faron “Slim” Kohler, who devoted many hours of time researching National Archives

records with the author. His assistance was sorely missed during the final preparation of this vol-

ume. Slim’s death on March 26, 2006, was sad news to the gun collecting fraternity and particu-

larly to his many friends in the Remington Society of America (RSA). He was an avid Remington

collector, and his vast collection of Remington handguns is at present on exhibit at the Cody

Firearms Museum.

Jerry Landskron, who provided the initial impetus for conducting the research for this volume.

Jerry’s book on Rolling Block Pistols is still the most informative book available on the subject.

Jay Huber, for providing copies of documents and pictures from his collection and for shar-

ing results of his research on the Beals Army and Navy Models.

Roy Marcot, for sharing pictures from his vast collection of Remington memorabilia. Roy is

also an accomplished author and researcher. He currently has two books on Remington history

and products in print and is currently working on two more. He is perhaps better known to

members of the RSA as editor of the Remington Society of America Journal.

Edward Hull, for providing research materials and valuable insights to the U.S. Army’s

Ordnance Department. Ed is also an avid researcher and has published many articles on antique

rifles and carbines in various periodicals.

Charles Pate also provided some missing research documents and photos. He too is a great

researcher and is the author of two firearms books and has a third one on the way. Charlie is

doing great work in continuing the Springfield Research Service started by Frank Mallory sev-

eral years ago.

Drury Williford, for donating precious time away from his own many literary endeavors to

carefully edit my manuscript. Drury’s field of interest is combustible cartridges. He has authored

several works on that subject for gun-related periodicals.

Fred Ream, for always being there when I need to explore some aspect of Remington history

or discuss a Remington revolver. A very good gun show buddy.

All the great people at the University of New Mexico Press who were instrumental in the

final preparation and printing of this volume.

There are others too numerous to mention who have made minor contributions to this

work. I heartily thank them, each and every one.

ix

PROLOGUE

T he majority of the research material referenced in this book was located in the records of

the National Archives of the United States, Washington, D.C. This was not simply a mat-

ter of choice but was dictated by necessity. Inquiries to the Remington Arms Company and

public libraries in Ilion and Utica, New York, yielded little information on arms produced by

E. Remington & Sons during the Civil War era. I have studied other works on the Remington

firm and arms and I now realize that some of these are little more than fiction. The production

figures and dates quoted therein are not reliable.

Many of the daily business records of both the Army Ordnance Department and the Navy

Bureau of Ordnance have been preserved in the archives, and these records must be searched to

gain an accurate picture of the relations between the military and E. Remington & Sons. I have

spent considerable time perusing these records. For the past two decades, I have studied, ana-

lyzed, and cross-referenced the results of my labors. I now feel competent to tell the story of

Remington’s Army and Navy Revolvers with a respectable degree of accuracy.

ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U.S. ARMY

The records of the Ordnance Department are found in the “Textual Records of the Office of the

Chief of Ordnance.” I feel it appropriate to present a brief history of this department, and to do

so, I have taken the liberty of using the introduction from the National Archives’ inventory of

these same records:

The Ordnance Department was established as an independent bureau of the

Department of War by an act of Congress approved May 14, 1812. Before that time

ordnance had been procured for the most part by the Board of War and a secret

committee during the Revolution and, after 1794, by an officer appointed by the

President under the Department of War and in charge of military stores. The

Ordnance Department lost its independent status under an act of March 2, 1821,

when it was “merged in the artillery,” but regained it under an act of April 15, 1832.

Thereafter it retained its independent footing in the War Department or Department

of the Army until 1962. With the reorganization of the Department of the Army in

that year, the Ordnance Department was disestablished on August 1, 1962, and its

functions were transferred to the United States Materiel Command. In spite of

several reorganizations of the Ordnance Department during its history, its functions

remained the procurement of ordnance and equipment and the distribution of them

to the Army, the maintenance and repair of equipment, and the development and

testing of new types of ordnance materiel.

xi

The first head of the Ordnance Department was a colonel to whom the title

“Commissary-General of Ordnance” was given. In 1815 this title was dropped, and for

many years the commanding officer was designated “Colonel of Ordnance” (or, for the

1821–1832 interval, “Colonel on Ordnance Service” or “Colonel on Ordnance Duty”). An

act of August 3, 1861, was the first to provide that “there shall be added to the Ordnance

Department of the United States Army as now organized, one Chief of Ordnance.”

Chiefs of OrdnanceThrough 1900

Col. Decius Wadsworth July 2, 1812–June 1, 1821

Col. George Bomford May 30, 1832–March 24, 1848

Col. George Talcott March 25, 1848–July 10, 1851

Col. Henry K. Craig July 10, 1851–April 23, 1861

Brig. Gen. James W. Ripley April 23, 1861–September 15, 1863

Brig. Gen. George D. Ramsey September 15, 1863–September 12, 1864

Brig. Gen. Alexander B. Dyer September 12, 1864–May 20, 1874

Brig. Gen. Stephen V. Benet June 23, 1874–January 22, 1891

Brig. Gen. Daniel Flagler January 23, 1891–March 20, 1899

Brig. Gen. Adelbert R. Buffington April 5, 1899–November 22, 1900

For the purpose of this study, we shall become intimate with only three of these personages,

Ripley, Ramsey, and Dyer. I have relied on Ezra J. Warner’s monumental work, Generals in Blue,

for a brief biography of these three.1

James Wolfe Ripley was born in Connecticut, December 10, 1794. In 1814 he enrolled at West

Point, where his studies were cut short by his early commission into the army to satisfy the need

for officers during the War of 1812. Serving the next eighteen years as an artillery officer, he

transferred to the Ordnance Department in 1832, and the following year he took command of

the Kennebec Arsenal, where he remained until 1842. He was then appointed superintendent of

the Springfield Armory, which he commanded until 1854. After departing this duty, he was

assigned to various duties as inspector of arsenals; he was on this duty abroad when Southern

states began seceding from the Union. He was ordered to return and, shortly after his arrival, was

appointed colonel on ordnance duty, relieving Col. Henry K. Craig. When the act of August 3,

1861, became law Ripley was promoted to brigadier general and assumed the newly created post

“Chief of Ordnance” (figure 1). He held this post for almost two and a half years, after which he

was replaced by George D. Ramsey.

At this time, there was no retirement system in the army. President Lincoln created a spe-

cial post for Ripley, “Inspector of Armament and Forts on the New England Coast.” In 1865 he

was brevetted major general and continued to serve as inspector until a year before his death

in 1870.

Warner notes that Ripley’s ethics were unquestionable. I should point out that although

Ripley escaped unscathed in the Owen-Holt Commission’s investigations into arms purchases in

xii

PROLOGUE

1862, the postwar congressional investigations of 1867 found that the chief of ordnance had

destroyed Ordnance Department documents. Ripley alleged that they were his personal papers.

George Douglas Ramsey was born in Virginia, February 21, 1802. He graduated from West

Point in 1820 and served as an artillery officer until 1835, when he transferred to the Ordnance

Department. As a captain, he served as commander of several arsenals until the start of the Civil

War, when he was promoted to major. On August 3, 1861, the same day Ripley was promoted to

brigadier general, Ramsey was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He commanded the Washington

Arsenal from 1861 to 1863 and was promoted to full colonel on June 1, 1863. A logical successor

to Ripley, he was promoted to brigadier general and made chief of ordnance on September 15,

1863 (figure 2). Ramsey’s tenure in that position was very short; he retired from active duty on

September 12, 1864. On Dyer’s recommendation, Lincoln created a special post and Ramsey was

assigned as “Inspector of Forts and Seacoast Defenses on the Atlantic and Lake Coasts.” He was

brevetted major general in 1865 and continued his inspection duties until 1870. Ramsey lived to

the age of eighty and died on May 23, 1882.

Alexander Brydie Dyer was born in Virginia on January 10, 1815. He graduated from West

Point in 1837 and served as an artillery officer for only a year before transferring to the Ordnance

Department. He later served as chief of ordnance for the American forces during the Mexican

War. After this duty, he commanded several arsenals and in August 1861 became superintendent

of the Springfield Armory.

xiii

PROLOGUE

Figure 1Chief of ordnance,Gen. James Wolfe Ripley.(Courtesy: National Archives)

Upon Ramsey’s retirement, Dyer was promoted to brigadier general and became chief of

ordnance (figure 3). Shortly after the war, Dyer was brevetted major general and continued to

command the department until his death on May 20, 1874.

A contradiction between Warner’s research and my own has been noted. Warner credits

Dyer as chief of ordnance for American forces during the Mexican War. In a letter to the secre-

tary of war, dated August 8, 1864, Ramsey took credit for serving in this same post at the same

time, thereby presenting a conflict that I have not resolved.

Warner noted that the Civil War was a young man’s war. The average age of the 132 major

generals in 1861 was thirty-nine, while that of the 450 brigadiers was thirty-seven. Senior officers

of the Ordnance Department were an exception; many were gray-bearded veterans of the regu-

lar army, with years of service commanding armories, arsenals, and performing inspection

duties on arms and other ordnance equipment.

There were no generals and very few colonels serving in the Ordnance Department prior to

the Civil War. This did not change until the act of August 3, 1861, that stated: “There shall be

added to the Ordnance Department of the United States as now organized, one Chief of

Ordnance.” When Ripley assumed this post, he was commissioned brigadier general to rank

from the day the act was passed and was the first general to serve in the Ordnance Department.

In the decade before the Civil War, two companies dominated the revolver manufacturing

industry; these were the Smith & Wesson and Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing compa-

nies. The former firm, having the rights to Rollin White’s patent, was primarily involved in the

manufacture of small caliber metallic cartridge revolvers; therefore, the reader will find little

xiv

PROLOGUE

Figure 2Chief of ordnance, Gen. George Douglas Ramsey.(Courtesy: National Archives)

mention of their arms in this volume. I should note, however, that their control and use of

White’s patent for the bored-through cylinder was detrimental to the government during the

war (see chapter 8).

Some large caliber metallic cartridge revolvers were developed prior to and during the early

part of the war; these were futile efforts, as most were patent infringements. When White sought

to extend his patent in the late 1860s, the military vigorously opposed his efforts, and the patent

subsequently expired.

Samuel Colt was issued his first revolver patents in 1836; his ensuing efforts to produce

revolvers have been documented many times. By the late 1840s, he had established his own

armory in Hartford, Connecticut, and was soon manufacturing a variety of these arms.

The War Department had made minor purchases of Colt’s revolvers in the early 1840s, but the

first serious consideration of Colt’s arms as a military weapon occurred when the War Department

approved the purchase of one thousand revolvers for the use of the “Regiment of Mounted

Riflemen” during the Mexican War. These were the Whitneyville-Walker models, large six-shot .44

caliber revolvers with a nine-inch barrel, weighing four pounds, nine ounces (figure 4).

Their very size and weight precluded their use as a sidearm. They were issued in pairs and

carried abreast in holsters mounted across the saddle or horse’s neck. First issued in 1847, they

received favorable attention, which led to requisitions from officers of other mounted units. Colt

received further orders, but by this time he had redesigned his revolvers and was turning out a

xv

PROLOGUE

Figure 3Chief of ordnance, Gen. Alexander Brydie Dyer.(Courtesy: National Archives)

xvi

PROLOGUE

Figure 4Colt Whitneyville-Walker Army Revolver. (Courtesy: Greg Martin Auctions)

Figure 6Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

Figure 5Colt Dragoon Army Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

smaller version, designated the Dragoon model (figure 5). The new model was still in .44 caliber,

but the size and weight were trimmed. The revolver now weighed four pounds, two ounces, still

a massive weapon. The department took delivery of seven thousand of these from 1848 to 1853.

In 1855 Congress authorized the army to organize two new cavalry units. Their command-

ing officers insisted that their troops be armed with Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers (figure 6).

The navy model was .36 caliber and weighed only two pounds, ten ounces, making it a practical

weapon to be carried in a belt holster. Accordingly, the revolver was easily accessible to the

trooper, whether mounted or on foot.

In army parlance, the navy model became known as a “belt pistol” in order to differentiate it

from the larger Dragoon or “holster pistol.” This terminology remained in use well after the army

adopted the use of smaller .44 caliber revolvers that were also capable of use as belt revolvers. For

the next five years, the .36 caliber “belt pistols” became the standard revolver of the army. From

1855 to 1859, the department ordered approximately seventeen thousand Colt Model 1851 Navies.

In 1860 Colt introduced a smaller model of army revolver. The size was once again trimmed,

making it ideal for use as a holster pistol. Shortly into the Civil War, the Ordnance Department

gave Colt their first order for the 1860 army models, later they received contracts for the same

revolvers and eventually delivered over one hundred thousand before losing their contracts.

There was no serious competition for the army’s revolver needs during this period; conse-

quently, Colt was able to price his goods at whatever the market would bear. The price paid for

the first five thousand Walker and Dragoon models was $25.00. In 1851, after receiving no orders

for a nine-month period, Colt solicited an order from the department, offering to furnish

revolvers at $24.00, which was the prevailing price until the expiration of his basic patents. When

Colt learned that the department had ordered a small lot of the North-Savage revolvers for

$20.00 each in 1857, he lowered the price to $18.00 per revolver for the Model 1851 Navies. The

1860 Armies purchased early in the war were again priced at $25.00 (figure 7), but after the

Owen-Holt Commission decisions in 1862, Colt accepted $14.50, and the second contract again

lowered the price to $14.00.

xvii

PROLOGUE

Figure 7Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

xviii

PROLOGUE

Figure 8Johnson Model 1842 Percussion Army Pistol. (Courtesy: Greg Martin Auctions)

Figure 10Adams Patent Navy Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

Figure 9Savage Navy Model Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

The introduction of revolvers into the army was not without some resistance from the “old

guard,” that is, military officers still willing to rely on large caliber single-shot percussion pistols

(figure 8). The department was still receiving these from private contractors and from 1846 to

1855 took delivery of approximately forty-three thousand. A large part of these were then issued

to states for militia use.

Officers, who disparaged the use of revolvers, had some minor justification for their com-

plaints. They cited the numerous incidents of multiple discharges, occasions when more than

one chamber would fire at the same time. This was a common occurrence before the advent of

combustible cartridges in the late 1850s. Another benefit derived from the adoption of com-

bustible cartridges was the discontinuance of powder flasks and bulk powder. Flasks were not

requisite accoutrements in early Civil War revolver orders, and by 1863, bullet molds had also

been recognized as superfluous and were no longer required.

Prior to the outbreak of the war, the department made only minor purchases of revolvers

other than Colts. However, the department was anxious to place other revolvers in the field, pri-

marily for evaluation and comparison with the Colts. In 1857–58, the department ordered small

lots of Savage and Adams revolvers (figures 9 and 10). None of these were in production when

ordered; the time lapse between placing an order and taking delivery was, in some cases, as much

as two years. With no urgency in receiving these arms, the department was very lenient in grant-

ing leeway in the delivery time. The difficulties facing a manufacturing firm attempting to mass

produce revolvers were formidable; by comparison, producing a muzzle-loading rifle, musket,

or carbine was quite simple. Manufacturing a revolver required more sophisticated machinery,

and even with the use of this machinery, problems were plentiful and complex. Alignment of

cylinder chambers to barrel, alignment of rammer to cylinder, and indexing the cylinders man-

dated skills not required when assembling a single-shot, muzzle-loading arm. The ultimate goal

was machine-produced interchangeable parts, which required little or no hand fitting. Even

though Remington began manufacturing revolvers in 1856, they had difficulties with these

aspects of production well into the war. Colt had been producing revolvers for a sufficient length

of time to have surmounted most of these, but other revolver manufacturers faced the same dif-

ficulties as Remington.

In 1860 an army board recommended that service revolvers be .44 caliber and have an eight-

inch barrel. The unprecedented demand for revolvers at the start of hostilities made it impossi-

ble for the department to immediately comply with this prerequisite, but by 1863, .44 caliber was

the requirement on all future Civil War contract revolvers.

Fortunately for the government, Colt’s patents on revolvers expired in 1856. During Colt’s

lifetime, E. K. Root had the opportunity to study the inventor’s attempts at manipulating the

government, and early in the war, he continued to use these shady practices after Colt’s death.

We can only imagine the consequences had Colt’s patents remained in effect during the war.

While Colt seems to have been a mechanical genius and adroit at influencing highly placed peo-

ple, he certainly was no patriot.

The department’s early procurement practices were to create problems in supplying ammu-

nition for revolvers. One of the first of these that I noted was in providing percussion caps for

Colt’s revolvers. The nipples of the Colt 1851 Navy Revolvers were not the same size as those of

xix

PROLOGUE

the large frame Army Dragoon. This subject did not arise until March 10, 1860, when Colonel of

Ordnance H. K. Craig sent the following letter to Maj. P. V. Hagner, then commander of the

Frankford Arsenal:

Sir:

In reply to your letter of 22nd ult., I have to say that I have requested the President of the

Sharps Rifle Man: Co. to inform me whether there are any legal obstacles in the way of

our fabricating the Sharps primers for the Carbines the Company is making for this

Department. I have in the meanwhile directed Maj. Thornton to purchase 250 M for pres-

ent issue. Until Mr. Palmer’s answer is received, it will not be advisable [to prepare?] in

advance for them in your preparations for the manufacture of these primers.

Major Mordecai has found some serious difficulties in making up ammunition for

Revolver pistols, which I suppose has grown out of the fact that there are two sizes of cones

as well as two sizes of Pistols. When the so called “Navy” or Belt Pistol was at the instance,

as understood of Dragoon and Cavalry Officers was introduced, it was thought that no

more Pistols of the larger size would be procured, therefore, no precaution was used to obvi-

ate the difficulty at first, though subsequently some proposition was made to introduce uni-

formity in the size and form of the tops of the cones, but was not it seems, carried into effect.

The 2 cones alluded to in your letter of the 6th inst. appear to belong to the two sizes

of pistols. The small size being the Belt, the large size being the Dragoon Pistol, which is

the kind now most in demand. The two cones are herewith returned.2

Craig also contacted Maj. A. Mordecai, commander of Watervliet Arsenal, on the same day:

Sir:

Your letter of the 7th inst. is received. The pistol caps which have been made at Frankford

Arsenal are of the size to fit the belt pistol, which has a smaller cone than the holster pis-

tol. When the making of these caps at Frankford Arsenal was commenced, the belt pistol

had been adopted for use in the army, at the instance of Officers of the mounted regi-

ments, and it was supposed that the holster pistols would be superseded, and soon have

none in service. Since then, the holster pistol has been restored, and none but that kind

are to be procured, hereafter for issue. Majors Thornton and Hagner have arranged or

will arrange a uniform cone for all revolver pistols hereafter to be made for the

Government, and the caps will be made to suit it. In the meantime we must have as

heretofore, two sizes of caps. Those for the belt pistols will be of the kind made at

Frankford Arsenal; and those for the holster pistol of a larger size, of which Major

Thornton has on hand nearly two million.3

Although the department recognized a problem in supplying the correct percussion caps,

the matter was not seriously addressed until two years later, after it had purchased several dif-

ferent types of revolvers. Ripley, who had replaced Craig as chief of ordnance, sent the following

to Maj. R. H. K. Whiteley, commander of the New York Arsenal, on July 12, 1862:

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PROLOGUE

Sir:

The defects mentioned in your letter of the 5th inst. regarding the several kinds of

revolvers now in service and the difficulty of using the same percussion caps for all, have

been referred to Maj. Thornton, Inspector of Contract Arms, with instructions to have

them corrected hereafter.4

This was one of the more minor problems facing the department as the war continued. The

multitude of different types of patented arms that the department eventually purchased created

a logistical nightmare in supplying the correct ammunition.

Shortly before the war, some members of Congress became alarmed at the procurement

practices of the War Department and enacted a law that forbade the purchase of patented arms

without authority of law; this law essentially prohibited the purchase of any repeating arm. It

also forbade the purchase of arms without advertising for bids. This act was passed on June 23,

1860, but the department did not advise ordnance officers of its passage until September 14 when

the following circular was sent from the Ordnance Office to the commanders of all arsenals:

(Circular)

The accompanying Extract from the Act of 23rd June, 1860, in relation to purchases and

contracts, and prohibiting the purchase of arms and military supplies is communicated

for your information and government.

Respectfully &c.

H. K. Craig, Col. of Ordnance

Extract

From “an act making appropriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of

Government for the year ending the thirtieth of June, Eighteen hundred and sixty one.”

“Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, that all purchases and contracts for supplies and services

in any of the departments of the Government, except for personal services, when the public

exigencies do not require the immediate delivery of the article or articles, or performance of

the services; shall be made by advertising, a sufficient time previously, for proposals respect-

ing the same. When immediate delivery or performance is required by the exigency, the arti-

cles or services required may be procured by open purchase or contract at the places and in

the manner in which such articles are usually bought and sold, or such services engaged

between individuals. No contract or purchase shall hereafter be made unless the same be

authorized by law, or under an appropriation adequate to its fulfillment, except in the War

and Navy Departments, for clothing, subsistence, forage, fuel, quarters or transportation,

which however, shall not exceed the necessities of the current year. No arms nor military

supplies whatever which are of a patented invention, shall be purchased, nor the right of

using or applying any patented invention, unless the same shall be authorized by law, and

the appropriation therefore explicitly set forth that it is for such patented invention.”

Approved June 23rd, 18605

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PROLOGUE

The prohibition against purchasing patented arms would seem to have been directed at

Samuel Colt, from whom both the army and navy had been purchasing revolvers for several

years. Colt would later allege that this was the case and also asserted that the provision had been

motivated by (then) Senator Jefferson Davis.

As early as February 1861 various parties had urged the department to consider the services’

adoption of more repeating firearms. Henry K. Craig, then colonel of ordnance, took a dim view

of this suggestion. On February 6, he expressed his opinion in the following correspondence to

Secretary of War Joseph Holt:

I have the honor to acknowledge the reference to this office, of a letter from the Honorable

S. R. Curtis in behalf of the Commissioner on Military affairs of the House of

Representatives, submitting a report thereon, a memorial asking Congress to make an

appropriation to secure the purchase or manufacture of Revolving firearms, so as to arm

our Soldiers with them, as far as possible; upon which subject I respectfully report.

It is not believed that what are called repeating arms are desirable for Infantry of

the line or riflemen. They are complicated in their mechanism, more liable to get out of

order, and more difficult to repair than the muzzle musket and rifle of the present

model, which are unsurpassed for Military purposes. The revolving repeater, by the

rapidity with which five or six discharges can be made, then leaves the soldier with an

empty weapon, which requires considerable time to replenish even under favorable cir-

cumstances, rendering it quite practicable in time of action, for a soldier to discharge a

muzzle loading gun seven times in as short as a space of time as the same number of

discharges could be made from a six chambered revolver. Excessive rapidity of fire is not

the great desideratum for military guns. The soldier can carry only a certain weight of

ammunition, which to be used with effect, should be expended with deliberation.

Revolvers have been known to discharge several of their charges at the same time (by

accident), thus rendering them unfit weapons for troops formed in two ranks, for the

reason that the front rank men would be more in dread of those behind them than of

the enemy. Repeating arms are more costly than muzzle loading guns that discharge

balls of equal weight of metal with equal force besides being necessarily heavier. The

principal of the repeating arms is suitable for pistols and should, in my opinion, be

restricted to that weapon, and is already adopted into our service to as great an extent

as is deemed useful.

The proviso to the Act of 23rd June 1860, prohibits the purchase of arms of a patented

character and will prevent the purchase of Revolving Pistols, without special authority of

law: and it would be advisable that such discretionary authority be given, in case the

demands of the service should render it necessary to purchase such arms.

The letter of the Honorable Mr. Curtis, with its enclosures is herewith returned.6

Craig was quite vocal in his adverse opinions concerning repeating arms but was also wise

enough to foresee that preparations should be made to make further purchases of the same. His

advice was heeded on March 2, when Congress acted to repeal this stipulation. Subsequent

xxii

PROLOGUE

events were to prove Craig correct, and patented arms, both revolvers and carbines, were soon

to be a top priority with the Ordnance Department.

BUREAU OF ORDNANCE, U.S. NAVY

I now present a brief description of the Bureau of Ordnance, the navy’s counterpart of the

army’s Ordnance Department:

The Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography was established by an Act of Congress,

August 31, 1842, which abolished the Board of Navy Commissioners and directed the

Secretary of the Navy to apportion the Board’s functions appropriately among the five

Navy Department “Bureaus” authorized by the Act. On July 5, 1862, the Bureau’s

hydrographic functions were transferred to the newly formed Bureau of Navigation,

and its title was changed to the Bureau of Ordnance.

The functions of the Bureau have varied from time to time. It is now responsible

for the design, manufacture, procurement, issue, maintenance, and efficiency of all

offensive and defensive naval arms and armament, including net appliances, depth

charges, mines, torpedoes, armor, pyrotechnics, and buoys, and, except as specifically

assigned to other authority, optical and other devices and material for the control of

guns, torpedoes, and bombs. It also provides for the upkeep, repair, and operation of

naval gun factories, ordnance plants, torpedo stations, proving grounds, powder facto-

ries, ammunition depots, and mine depots. In connection with the procurement of

reliable ordnance material, the practice was early adopted of assigning Naval Officers

as Inspectors of Ordnance to foundries, factories, and Navy yards to test and prove

articles manufactured under contract.7

Chiefs of the Bureau of OrdnanceThrough 1900

Capt. William Montgomery Crane September 1, 1842–May 18, 1846

Capt. Lewis Warrington May 25, 1846–November 12, 1851

Capt. Charles Morris November 13, 1851–March 20, 1856

Capt. Duncan Nathaniel Ingraham March 21, 1856–September 23, 1860

Capt. George A. Magruder September 24, 1860–April 23, 1861

Commodore Andrew Allen Harwood April 24, 1861–July 22, 1862

Rear Adm. John Adolphus Dahlgren July 23, 1862–June 24, 1863

Capt. Henry Augustus Wise June 25, 1863–June 1, 1868

Rear Adm. John Adolphus Dahlgren August 22, 1868–July 23, 1869

Rear Adm. Augustus Ludlow Case August 10, 1869–April 9, 1873

Commodore William Nicholson Jeffers April 10, 1873–June 7, 1881

Commodore Montgomery Sicard July 1, 1881–January 13, 1890

Commodore William Mayhew Folger February 12, 1890–January 2, 1893

xxiii

PROLOGUE

Commodore William Thomas Samson January 28, 1893–May 31, 1897

Rear Adm. Charles O’Neil June 1, 1897–March 14, 1904

As noted above, the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, first established in 1842, was

responsible for supplying the U.S. Navy with all manner of ordnance equipment. In addition to

these duties, the bureau supplied navigational charts and equipment to the navy’s vessels. In

July 1862, these functions were separated, and thereafter, the department was known as the

Bureau of Ordnance.

After 1849 the bureau maintained ledgers to record daily payments for purchases and ser-

vices received. These ledgers, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment,” are invaluable for

the purpose of verifying deliveries of arms under letter orders and contracts. I could not locate

the first volume of these ledgers, 1849 to mid-1862, in the National Archives; therefore, all arms

purchases prior to mid-1862 have to be verified from other archival files. I now realize that the

final entry dates of the missing ledgers and the separation of duties of the Bureau of Ordnance

from the Bureau of Navigation coincided; it is possible that the ledger was mistakenly trans-

ferred with other records to the newly formed Bureau of Navigation. I have not had the oppor-

tunity to explore this possibility. The ledgers that are available are not infallible and contain

numerous errors and omissions.

The U.S. Navy, like the army, relied on Colt to supply their revolver needs for the better part

of the 1850s. There is some evidence that the navy acquired a small number of Colt’s Paterson

models in 1841, but they were not obtained from Samuel Colt. Rather, they were purchased from

John Ehlers, the principal creditor of the defunct Patent Arms Manufacturing Company. The

first documented orders of revolvers by the bureau from Colt occurred in 1852 and were deliv-

ered to Commodore Matthew Perry for use during his famous expedition to Japan. The order

was for one hundred revolvers, that is, twenty-five army-size (Dragoons), fifty 1851 Navies, and

twenty-five 1849 Pocket Models of four-, five-, and six-inch barrel lengths. There were no fur-

ther orders from the bureau to Colt until 1857, when five thousand 1851 Navy Revolvers were

ordered, that is, three thousand for the army and two thousand for the navy. Another two years

passed before the bureau sent another revolver order to Colt, this time for six hundred 1851

Navies. The next orders did not occur until shortly after the start of the Civil War. The bureau

sent numerous small orders to Colt during the remainder of 1861 and the first eight months of

1862; Model 1861 Navies and some Model 1860 Army Revolvers were delivered on these orders.

Colt lost their navy business in August 1862, after refusing to deliver revolvers at a competitive

price. Remington and Whitney soon filled this void and supplied revolvers to the navy for the

remainder of the war.

In 1858 the bureau ordered three hundred Savage revolvers. There was a considerable delay

in their delivery, and they were not received until late 1859. Shortly after the start of the war, the

bureau ordered an additional eight hundred Savage, one hundred Joslyn, and one hundred Starr

revolvers. Navy inspectors rejected forty of the Starrs and returned them to the company.

Both prior to and during the war, the navy also extensively used military-style single-shot

percussion pistols. Those in use during the war consisted of arms previously ordered by the

bureau from arms contractors, as well as a great many requisitioned from the Army Ordnance

xxiv

PROLOGUE

Department (see figure 7). These were known as “boarding pistols” and were issued only to

“jacks” (seamen).

The navy had two methods of procuring small arms during this era: letter orders and con-

tracts. The most common that I noted were letter orders. The awarding of contracts seems to

have been limited to those arms that were procured in large numbers. Prior to and during the

war, the navy ordered revolvers in small numbers; orders exceeding five hundred arms were

rare. The meager navy budget allocation for small arms seems to have necessitated this procure-

ment method.

�In the following narrative, I have functioned more as an editor than as author, presenting orig-

inal letters and documents from the National Archives as I found them, in chronological order,

adding comments where appropriate. Not all of the original correspondence has been located;

accordingly, in many instances, I have had to read between the lines. In order to retain the

reader’s interest, I have taken the liberty of deleting the dates, addresses, salutations, and clo-

sures of most correspondence, except in instances where I felt these were necessary to complete

the story.

xxv

PROLOGUE

INTRODUCTION

Remington Historical

Background

Any study of the arms of E. Remington & Sons would not be complete without some history

of the Remington family. After due consideration, I have decided to present an address

given by Albert N. Russell before the Herkimer County Historical Society over one hundred

years ago. When my good friend and author Jerry Landskron was preparing the publication of

Remington Rolling Block Pistols in 1979, I encouraged him to consider inclusion of this address in

his book. He heeded my advice, and the address was first presented there.

Russell was first hired as a Remington employee in 1861, shortly after the death of the

founder. His employment continued throughout the postwar years, as he served in several

responsible positions. In his roles as resident of Ilion and Remington employee, he came to be

personally acquainted with the Remington brothers and their business associates, as well as with

most of the residents of the small village. He was one of the court-appointed administrators of

the Remington firm during their bankruptcy and subsequent sale in 1888.

The astute reader will note that Russell made some errors in dates and figures in his presen-

tation. I attribute much of this to his faded memory. Overall, his address gave an excellent his-

tory of the village of Ilion and the Remington family.

“ILION AND THE REMINGTONS”

An Address by Albert N. RussellDelivered to the Herkimer County Historical Society, September 14, 1897

This history of Ilion as a village, both as to its origin and growth up to the present decade, is so inti-

mately connected with the lives and achievements of the Remingtons as to warrant the combination

in the title to this paper, as well as to forbid any attempt at a treatment of the first independent of

the last.

The proper limits to a paper to be read at a meeting of this society, however, confine me to the

statements of such historical facts regarding the growth of the village as are coincident with, and

inseparable from, the progress of the Remington works. In referring to the various enterprises and

industries, which comprise in part—the history of “the Remingtons,” I shall not treat each in its reg-

ular sequence, nor in detail, but shall endeavor to make a brief record, informally, of that which may

xxvii

be interesting to those who may consult the archives of this society in years to come, and with a con-

sciousness that my paper will afford but slight entertainment to the audience.

The appellation, “the Remingtons,” is used here as applying to the members of that family who

originated and conducted the manufacturing enterprises, the development of which have been the

potent factor in the establishment and growth of the village, with its great industries, viz: Eliphalet

Remington (the second bearing that name) and his three sons, Philo, Samuel and Eliphalet Jr.

The father of the Eliphalet Remington referred to, also named Eliphalet, was born in Suffield,

Hartford County, Connecticut, October 13, 1768, and his wife, Elizabeth Kilbourn, in Sandersfield in

the same state, August 20, 1770. They were married March 3, 1791. Their children were Elizabeth,

born February 2, 1792; Eliphalet, born October 28, 1793; Aphia, born May 13, 1800, and Samuel, born

January 11, 1808, who died in infancy.

Elizabeth married Alanson Merry and was the mother of Mrs. Aphia Chismore, now living in

Ilion, aged 82 years; John, living in Placerville, California; Eliphalet, who was one of the many pas-

sengers lost in the wreck of the steamer “Central America” in 1857, on a return voyage from

California; Edward, Charles and Welthy, deceased.

Eliphalet Remington, the founder of the Ilion works, married Abigail Paddock, who was killed

by being thrown from a buggy by a runaway horse on August 21, 1841. Besides his three sons his chil-

dren were: Mary Ann, now living and widow of Reverend Charles Austen, and Maria, who became

the wife of the late Lawrence L. Merry, and mother of Seward, now living in Ilion, and two daugh-

ters, Carrie and Addie, now living in Streator, Illinois. Mrs. Merry died March 30, 1876. Susanna,

another daughter died at the age of 21, unmarried.

Aphia P., his sister, became the wife of the late John S. Avery of Litchfield and mother of four

sons: William, now deceased; Sanford, now living on part of the homestead in Litchfield; Samuel,

living in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Alanson, deceased; and four daughters, viz: Thetis, wife of Lorin

True, both of whom are deceased; Elizabeth, now living in Ilion; Mary M., who married Thomas

Davis and is deceased; and Lucy, the wife of James Leveck, now living at or near the old homestead.

I have stated that the first Eliphalet Remington and Elizabeth Kilbourn, his wife, were natives

of Connecticut and have given the date of their marriage [March 3, 1791]. Their first three children

were born in that state. In 1800 they immigrated to Herkimer County, first making their home in

Cranes Corners, where Mr. Remington worked at his trade, that of carpenter and, as Mrs. Chismore

informs me, built there what is known now as the “Old Union church.”

Previous to moving here, viz, March 22, 1799, he purchased from James Smith of Litchfield 50

acres of land, the deed for which is of record in 1804, in the first book of records made after the fire,

which destroyed all records of previous date.

His subsequent purchases, as indicated by the records, gave him a holding of about 300 acres of

land covering the territory where the Columbia Springs Hotel now stands in the Gulph, about three

miles south from Ilion, and sufficient land along Steele’s Creek at that point to make its waters avail-

able as a power for industrial purposes.

At that date, there was no continuous road leading through the Gulph to Cedarville from where

Ilion now is, but instead, one crossing Steele’s Creek to the west near the present residence of Dennis

H. Dygert and following near the creek to where the Harrington Road now turns west and by that

route up to the old Remington farm, then down the hill as now, to the sulphur springs in the Gulph

xxviii

INTRODUCTION

and along the creek for some distance, then again taking to the hills on the west and back to the creek

at Cedarville.

This made the senior Remington’s property on the creek a suitable place for a blacksmith’s

shop and gave such control of the stream as to enable him to utilize it as a water power for pro-

pelling machinery.

The foregoing is written as prefatory to the formal introduction of Eliphalet Remington the sec-

ond, as the founder of Ilion and its industries and to enable me to correct some errors in tradition

and written history.

The first relates to his birthplace, which has been given as Litchfield, while in fact he was 7 years

old when his parents emigrated to that place from Connecticut. Other errors will be manifest as I

proceed. The initiatory step to his mechanical and business career was the forging of a gun barrel for

his own use, which was done in the blacksmith shop referred to.

In Beer’s History of Herkimer County, it is stated that this occurred in 1816 and when he was 19

years old. If that was his age, it must have been in 1812. If in 1816, his age was 23, for he was 7 years

old in 1800.

From all the information attainable, I am led to the conclusion that the blacksmith shop referred

to was in fact a forge having power furnished by a waterwheel, and that the welding of scrap iron

into bars and forging the bars into crowbars, pickaxes, sleigh-shoes, plowshares and points was car-

ried on there as well as horse-shoeing and general repair work for farmers, and that the industry was

installed by Eliphalet Remington 1st, who as we have seen was a mechanic, and who doubtless was

well aware of the mechanical genius of his son and wisely provided for his establishment in a con-

genial business.

The association of the father with the son, and his active participation in his enterprises contin-

ued till the property, where the great manufactory in Ilion now is, was purchased in 1828, and his

life was sacrificed in the birth of that establishment.

On the 22nd day of June in that year, while engaged in hauling the timbers which entered into

the construction of the first shop, he [Eliphalet Remington I] was thrown from the load by the cant-

ing of one of them and fell in such a position that the wheel of the wagon ran over him and injured

his spine so seriously that death resulted after 5 days—on the 27th.

Whether young Eliphalet Remington forged his first gun barrel and with his own hands pro-

duced the finished gun because of his father’s unwillingness to buy him one, as stated in existing

histories, or because of an ambition to achieve such a mechanical success is a question of minor

interest, but as the initiatory to an immense manufacturing business sending its products to the

ends of the earth, and the founding of a village ranking among the first in the valley of the Mohawk,

it becomes of great interest and a striking illustration of the wonderful developments of this age or

of our locality.

The quality of this first gun was such as to create in the neighborhood a demand for others of like

efficiency. In response to this demand, barrels both for rifles and shotguns were forged, and appliances

devised and put into use finishing exterior and interior, ready for stocking and completion.

In those days, no factories for the manufacture of guns were in existence, but in every important

village or town was to be found a gunsmith, whose business was by primitive methods to make and

repair firearms for those living in the vicinity, the barrels for the same being imported from England

xxix

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

and Belgium by hardware merchants. Morgan James was the leading smith in Utica, and to him,

Mr. Remington took his first rifle barrels to be rifled, often taking, as I am told, as many as he could

carry on his back and making the journey of 15 miles on foot, returning with a like load of those left

on the previous trip.

This was, however, but a temporary expedient. He soon had a rifling machine of his own in

operation and was producing more effective barrels than could be obtained elsewhere. Ponderous

grindstones were quarried from a ledge of red sandstone a short distance up the creek from the forge

and used to grind the exteriors true and to the desired form, being driven by water power. The rep-

utation of the Remington barrels soon became so great and extended so far, that the gunsmiths were

obliged to use and the hardware merchants to handle them in order to retain their customers.

Thus the merits of these products became known throughout our whole country, and the little

forge assumed the dignity of a factory.

An examination of an account book commencing in 1823 shows that, while the making of gun

barrels became a prominent part of the industry, the other branches of work were kept up, and that

the prevalent method of paying workmen in part with “store goods” obtained with them. Among

other articles manufactured, there was one, the use of which is little known by the present genera-

tion, the cow bell.

The work was carried on at this point till 1828, when 100 acres of the John A. Clappsadle prop-

erty was purchased and removal made to the site of the now village of Ilion. To this purchase, sev-

eral additions were subsequently made. The firm of Hawes and Haines succeeded in the occupancy

of the Gulph establishment, where they manufactured carpenter’s squares and edged tools. They, in

turn, sold to John F. Brown, who conducted the same business till about 1855 and then sold out to a

firm who removed the works to North Bennington, Vt. This Mr. Brown conceived the idea of mak-

ing a watering place by the sulphur spring found there and built the brick house known as the

Columbia Springs Hotel. The enterprise was unsuccessful, and the establishment is at this writing in

a seriously dilapidated condition.

Following Mr. Remington to his new location, we find at “London,” now the west part of Main

Street, two hotels for the accommodation of teamsters and canal men and a third near the site of the

present gas works, a small store on the site of the new Heacock-Walker block, a canal warehouse,

where the recently built brick Hoteling block now stands, and perhaps a half dozen dwellings, mostly

farm houses.

The first structure erected by Mr. Remington was a dwelling on the ground, now occupied by

O. B. Rudd’s jewelry store. Following this, came the wooden shop directly in the rear of the office

building, in the tower of which is the town clock.

In this building was installed the machinery for forging bar iron and converting the same into

the various utensils previously made in the Gulph establishment, and for making and finishing

ready for market barrels for rifles and shot guns, comprising in part a large trip hammer, several

light trip hammers, a large tub bellows, and grindstones, with the necessary boring and rifling

machines. To furnish power, water was brought from Steele’s Creek, by what is known as the “lower

race,” and utilized for driving the several water wheels, the waste from which was by an arrange-

ment with the local authorities, discharged into the Erie [C]anal as a feeder. Increasing business

demanded increased facilities; a stone building near the canal was built the following year and

xxx

INTRODUCTION

equipped with water wheels and trip hammers, to be used especially for welding and forging gun

barrels. This has always been known as the “Stone Forge.”

The demand for the Remington gun barrels had, by this time, become so extended that an

organized shipping department became necessary, where a supply of locks, rough gun stocks, butt

plates, patch boxes, and other trimmings were kept, so that the gunsmith could obtain his complete

outfit. For many years and till the making of guns passed from the gunsmith to the factory, this

department was in charge of Mr. A. C. Seamans, father of C. W. Seamans of typewriter fame.

In this manner, the business was conducted by Mr. Remington with such changes and improve-

ments as experience suggested, till in 1839, he entered into a partnership with Benj. Harrington for

the purpose of making the manufacture of iron and such articles as were not properly connected with

the gun business, a separate enterprise. For this purpose, they built a dam on Steele’s Creek and

diverted the water into a pond or reservoir on the land now owned by the heirs of John Beihn, near

the present residence of William Harrington, and about a mile south of the Ilion works, erected

thereby the necessary buildings and equipments for making bar iron from scrap and, from the iron

produced, made the utensils commonly used by the farmers in those days, also mill spindles and such

other irons as were used in grist and sawmills.

To furnish the scrap iron used, teams were employed to traverse the surrounding country and

gather it in. The field of supply embraced all the surrounding counties, including Oswego. Iron ore

was also drawn from the Clinton ore beds in Oneida County. To furnish the fuel, the timber was cut

from the surrounding hills and burned into charcoal. The firm also built and operated the saw mill

known as “Harrington’s Mill,” the ruins of which were burned about three years since.

This forge was operated until the manufacture on a large scale and in proximity to the supplies

of ore and coal rendered it unprofitable, and today, nothing remains to mark the spot but a remnant

of the diverting dam and the bands of the pond, the bed of which is a productive market garden.

In the meantime, the sons of Mr. Remington were attaining maturity. Philo, who was born

October 31, 1816, became of age in 1837; Samuel, born April 11, 1818, in 1839; and Eliphalet, born

November 12, 1828, in 1849.

Philo was educated in the common schools and at Cazenovia Seminary, Samuel at common

schools and at Wilbraham Academy. Eliphalet attended Little Falls academy and Cazenovia

Seminary, in addition to the home schools.

Philo remained with his father and became master of all branches of the mechanical work, while

Samuel tried his fortunes for a time in railroad construction in the West, meeting with so little suc-

cess that he soon returned to Ilion, where, for a time, he conducted business by himself, opening a

store on the canal bank in 1845.

In 1845, war with Mexico being imminent, our government entered into contract with Ames and

Co., of Springfield, Mass., for the construction of several thousand carbines, the invention of one

William Jenks. For some reason, this company desired to be relieved of their job after having com-

menced to execute it, and Mr. Remington purchased the contract, together with such machinery as

they had adapted to the work. The equipment was meager, but combined with his own facilities,

enabled him to execute the work to the satisfaction of the government. Mr. Jenks, the inventor, came

on to supervise the work and afterwards built the brick house on the north side of the canal, now

known as the John A. Rasbach homestead.

xxxi

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The building on the hill, now called the old armory, was built to enable Mr. Remington to carry

out this first contract, and what is called the upper race constructed to bring water to the wheel by

which the machinery was driven.

Thus equipped, Mr. Remington was ready to undertake other contracts, and before he had fin-

ished the carbine work, he had an order for 5,000 “Harpers Ferry” rifles, and before they were deliv-

ered, a further order of 5,000 was received, and later an additional one for 2,500 of the same; 5,000

Maynard self-priming musket locks were also made during the years 1857 and 1858. I summarize this

as embracing most of the military work executed up to the advent of the War of the Rebellion in 1861,

but about 1857, one Fordyce Beals invented a revolver, which Mr. Remington manufactured under

the inventor’s supervision, and the making of pistols of various models became an important branch

of the work carried on.

Meanwhile Samuel had, in connection with others, engaged in the manufacture of broom han-

dles and brooms and in 1851 or 1852, in one of the buildings, which is now about in the center of the

group, had commenced the manufacture of Yale’s patent locks, the father of Louis Diss, now assis-

tant superintendent of the typewriter works, having charge of the work. After a year or so he also

undertook the manufacture of safes and vault doors for banks, John F. Thomas being foreman in this

department. Among the establishments equipped by him was the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia. In 1855,

he also manufactured 200 breech-loading guns of a model patented by one Merrill, but the system

did not prove practicable, and no more were made.

The separate enterprises, which Samuel had inaugurated, were abandoned in 1856, and there-

after all the business was conducted by E. Remington & Sons, the three sons being partners.

About that time Mr. Charles Sayre, of Utica, invented a cultivator tooth, which they commenced

to manufacture on the premises where the safe and lock work had been done, and Mr. David D.

Devoe became foreman of that work. This may be considered as the beginning of the agricultural

works, which later became so extensive.

During the period between 1828 and 1861, a thrifty little village with about 800 inhabitants had

grown up around the Remington works. A Post Office was established in 1845, first named after Mr.

Remington but, at his urgent request, changed to Ilion, a name suggested by D. D. Devoe, who was the

first postmaster. Mr. Remington had built himself a substantial residence, the brick building on Main

street now occupied by the Remington Arms Co., as an office, the bank block, and the Osgood Hotel.

Philo and Eliphalet Jr. had each become established in homes built on Otsego Street, directly

opposite the first armory buildings, and on the corner of Otsego and Second streets, where the pres-

ent brick Baptist Church stands, a Union Church had been erected. The stone school house on

Morgan Street provided accommodation for educational purposes. The village was incorporated

under the general laws in 1852, but subsequently, a special act of incorporation was obtained which,

with various amendments and substitutions, remains in force. In August of that year the Ilion Bank

was incorporated with a capital of $100,000 with Eliphalet Remington as president, he holding that

office until his death.

With the advent of the Civil War, a new impetus was given to the work of the “Armory,” the new

name now applied to the works. Orders were given by our Government for army and navy revolvers.

For the manufacture of these many new and special machines were purchased and tools adapted to

the work made. Additional room was provided by building, and steam engines [were] installed as

xxxii

INTRODUCTION

auxiliary to the water power. Work was pushed night and day, but the requirements of the

Government could not be met in full, and a building was rented in Utica and equipped for pistol

work, which was carried on there for a short time and then brought to Ilion. Orders were also

received for large numbers of the regulation U.S. Springfield musket, which could only be made after

the erection of several large buildings, with corresponding increase of expensive machinery and the

necessary tools and fixtures.

Under the pressure of these new demands upon his energies, the elder Mr. Remington was pros-

trated and on August 12, 1861, his remarkable career was ended, the second sacrifice to an enterprise

of which communities and nations were to be the beneficiaries. [The actual date of death has been

established as July 12, 1861. At the time of his death, the Ordnance Department had not conveyed

any orders or contracts to the Remingtons.] His burial place was in the village cemetery, in a spot

selected by him while surveying the land first purchased in Ilion.

I cannot speak of the personalities of Mr. Remington from the standpoint of an acquaintance,

his death occurring a few weeks before I became a resident of Ilion, but as gathered from others only.

In stature he was tall, of muscular build and capable of great endurance. His manners were gentle

and kindly, but his resolutions were firm, and obedience was enforced in the execution of his plans.

His education was such as was afforded by the local schools, but he was a careful reader and became

a well informed man. His habits were strictly temperate, his morals pure. As a neighbor he was

always kind and obliging. In every movement to promote the interests of the village, he was a leader

and coworker. He was a man of sterling integrity and had the implicit confidence of his employees,

who always sought his advice and counsel. In politics, he was an old line Whig until the advent of

the Republican Party, with which he early identified himself.

In his religious views, he was liberal rather than sectarian, and he contributed generously for

building a Union Church to be free for the use of all denominations, regarding that the best way to

promote the religious interests of a community as small as Ilion then was. A strict economist, he

wasted neither time nor money, but I am persuaded that he was not greedy, and that an ambition

to be rich was far from being his impelling motive. With men of his type, it seems to be an impulse

to do, to develop, to produce and improve, which has no need for avarice as a motive power or self-

ishness as an incentive to economy. He evidently had but little taste for business as conducted by

office machinery. It has been said of him that “he carried his office in his hat.” This saying was

doubtless inspired in part by his custom of carrying his current letters and papers in the tall hat,

which he commonly wore, instead of in the inside pocket as many of us do.

In looking over his books, I find none of those special accounts now so generally kept, such as

construction, repair, tools and machinery, etc., nor of interest or expense accounts, bills receivable

and payable, and other entries serving in any way to indicate his financial condition or business

profits. An unusually retentive memory seems to have enabled him to carry under his hat a greater

part of that which is usually confided to the keeping of the ledger.

I am able to pronounce no greater eulogy upon his character than by saying that during the 36

years I have lived in Herkimer County, I have never heard him spoken of except in terms of respect

and commendation.

The management of the manufacturing department was devolved upon Philo, the oldest son,

while Samuel, the second, assumed a position corresponding with that of general agent, which made

xxxiii

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

him the negotiator of contracts with the Government, purchaser of machinery materials, etc., a work

which required him to spend much of his time at the Capitol or in the business centers of the coun-

try. To Eliphalet was left the general supervision of the office and particularly the correspondence,

for which he was especially qualified by reason of superior penmanship and great felicity in the use

of language. The firm name “E. Remington & Sons” was retained until 1865, at which date the busi-

ness was capitalized, an incorporation being effected under the same name with a nominal capital

of $1,000,000, and a plant valued at about $1,500,000. This organization covered only the arms busi-

ness and properties, other interests being retained under the name of Remington Brothers or by the

brothers individually.

The work was pushed with unremitting energy until the preparations were complete, and they

were able to make regular deliveries of muskets to the War Department.

On the 12th day of April 1865, immediately after the surrender of the Confederate Army by

General Lee, an order was issued from the War Department stopping all further purchase of arms

and munitions, and the Remingtons were notified to discontinue the production of guns and

revolvers for Government use. [This was an error on Russell’s part. Although Remington’s final

revolver contract had been fulfilled the previous month, the company was granted extensions and

allowed to complete their musket and carbine contracts.] This doubtless was a necessary act on

account of the impoverished condition of the Treasury but none the less cruel in its effects upon the

company, which had incurred a large indebtedness depending upon the profits of Government work

for its liquidation.

With resources thus cut off, the struggle for life became intense. The Ilion Bank, which was a

large creditor, was so deeply involved as to cause its suspension, and Thomas Richardson, Esq., as

receiver, wound up its affairs. In this connection, it is a pleasure to record that afterwards, when

returning prosperity enabled them to do so, the Remingtons paid the stockholders and all persons

holding claims against the bank in full with interest.

During the progress of the War, it had been clearly demonstrated that the future infantry arm

must be breech-loading, and in anticipation of this change, the company had already availed itself

of the inventive genius of Mr. John [sic] Rider [Rider’s given name was Joseph], a German by birth

and a resident of Newark, Ohio, and placed under his direction a corps of skilled mechanics, John V.

Schmidt and others, who were working for the production of a breech-loading rifle with the qualifi-

cations necessary to secure its adoption by military authorities.

The company possessed the confidence of the public to such a degree that creditors willingly

granted extensions of time, during which their running expenses were met by the proceeds of the

other branches of work, and in due time, they were prepared to offer the governments of the world

the simplest, most effective and durable firearm the inventive genius of the age had produced.

It should be stated, in this connection, that some parts of the mechanism of these guns were the

invention of parties outside of the Remington works, the use of which was obtained by license, with

payment of royalty.

The manufacture of this new model of gun required the construction of a complete set of tools

and fixtures, of such accuracy that all the parts would be interchangeable, that is, that each piece of

a given gun would fit perfectly into any or all the others. The cost of these tools and the additional

machinery required a further outlay of many thousands of dollars, but with a faith and perseverance

xxxiv

INTRODUCTION

that yielded to no discouragements, they worked on till in 1867 the government of Denmark adopted

the gun and entered into a contract for 42,000 stands of arms. Mr. Samuel Remington had now

become the representative of the house in foreign lands, where he remained till 1877. The works were

run night and day, and the contract successfully executed.

In 1867, an order was also received from the Naval Department of our Government for 12,000

rifles, which were duly delivered. Spain came in the same year for 85,000. Next, in 1868, came

Sweden with an order for 30,000, followed in 1867 [sic] by Egypt, with a call for 50,000. In 1870,

France and Germany being engaged in a war for which France was ill prepared; that government

came to Ilion for help. Unlimited orders for arms were given.

Neither buildings, machinery, nor tools had sufficient capacity to meet the demands.

Large additions were made to every department and the working force increased till 1,300 to

1,400 men were employed, a large number of whom were skillful mechanics. The regular output of

rifles was 800 to 1,000 per day, besides great numbers of pistols.

So excellent was the management and so perfect the equipment and organization that the prod-

uct per day for each man employed was largely in excess of that attained in the Springfield Armory

during the Civil War or of any other arms factory in the world.

A most marvelous exhibition of capacity and skillfully directed energy was made during the lat-

ter period of this undertaking, when the output of completed rifles was 1,200 to 1,300 per day and of

revolvers about 200. The record of such achievements needs no commentary to establish the reputa-

tion of Philo Remington as one of the most capable manufacturers our country has produced. The

work was done under the contract system, being divided among 30 or more capable contractors,

under the direction of a superintendent and the necessary foremen. The aggregate number of arms

furnished France was 145,000. The execution of these contracts had resulted in large profits by which

the debts of the corporation were liquidated, and the termination of the transactions with France left

them with a surplus, which was deemed sufficiently large to warrant a dividend which was made

approximating $2,000,000.00, to which smaller sums were subsequently added.

Previous to this, Col. Watson C. Squire married a daughter of Philo Remington and became

prominently connected with the business management, occupying the position of Secretary and

Treasurer and by virtue of his position, the financial executive. He also acquired the ownership of a

portion of the stock of the company, which he retained for a time and then exchanged with Philo

Remington for real estate in Seattle, Washington. He was succeeded by Eliphalet Remington in the

office of Treasurer. Incidentally it may be stated that by appointment of President Arthur, Col.

Squire became Governor of the Territory of Washington and later by election, U.S. Senator from the

new state, which position he held for two consecutive terms.

In 1872, the State of New York, having adopted the Remington rifle for use by the National

Guard, made a contract for 21,000 which were duly furnished.

I think it is to be recorded, at this point, that in the spring of 1870, a board of Army officers

appointed to test the various arms, which had been invented and were seeking adoption by our

Government, met at St. Louis, Major General Scofield being chairman. About 50 different models of

rifles were submitted to the most severe tests, in which the Remington was victorious and the com-

mission reported decidedly in its favor. This report was fully endorsed by General Sherman, the head

of the Army. This was supposed to have been conclusive and to have established the Remington as

xxxv

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

the national arm, but by methods, which are not subject to discussion here, interested parties finally

procured the adoption of what is known as the “Allin Gun,” which our Government has wasted mil-

lions in manufacturing, and now, strange to tell, our state legislature has committed the folly of pro-

viding for the exchange of her Remingtons for these inferior arms.

Following the completion of the French requisition, came in quick succession an order from

Puerto Rico in 1874 for 10,000, from Cuba the same year for 63,000, followed by Spain for 130,000,

Egypt for 55,000, and another from Cuba for 26,500. Subsequent orders executed for the government

of Mexico aggregated 50,000, and for Chile 12,000, and sales were made from time to time from the

New York office and by Messrs. Hartley and Graham aggregating 114,500. The dates given above are

of the first deliveries on the several orders. For work executed subsequent to 1875, I have not secured

accurate statistics, but I am informed by Mr. Frederick Armstrong, who for a long time was book-

keeper for the company and who had kindly furnished me the foregoing data, that sales to the United

States, and Colombia, Honduras, China, and other governments will swell the number to consider-

able above one million arms manufactured and delivered.

The introduction of the breech-loading rifle was accompanied with great improvement in the

range and effectiveness of military firearms, and one of the qualifications of the good soldier must

be expert marksmanship, the ability to pick his man at a distance of 1,000 yards or more. Both in

this and foreign countries “ranges” were established where both soldiers and “teams” of men from

private callings engaged in practice and contests for superiority. The Remington “Creedmore Rifle,”

of which many were manufactured on account of its great accuracy and projectile force, became a

favorite in these matches, and with it victories were won in both national and international

matches. If any evidence were lacking to prove the excellence of the products of the Ilion works, these

contests furnished all that was needed.

The conduct of a business of such magnitude, and so intricate in its details, required the employ-

ment of numerous assistants in both financial and mechanical departments. Prominent in the

Department of Finance was Floyd C. Shepard, who retained his connection with the company till its

dissolution. Thomas Richardson Esq., was their legal counselor and, as such, crossed the ocean sev-

eral times in their interests.

From the time of the enlargement of the works in the sixties and until 1877, when he was suc-

ceeded by W. S. Smoot, J. M. Clough was Superintendent of the Manufacturing Department. Mr.

Smoot was succeeded by John Hoefler, who continued to occupy the position until the business passed

into other hands.

For several years John F. Thomas was in charge of the machine and repair shop. He was suc-

ceeded by Charles E. Pettee.

From 1861 to 1877, the writer was in charge of a department covering freight and transportation,

buildings, fixed machinery and millwright work, coal, lumber and supplies of a general nature, a

department outside of the manufacturing line, but intimately associated therewith as an auxiliary.

In this position, a general knowledge was acquired, which was doubtless the basis of an appointment

to which reference will be made hereafter.

Mr. Samuel Remington with his family made their home in London, while abroad, and

remained there till 1877 as stated, when they returned and resided in New York City till the time of

his death, which occurred December 1, 1882. His family consisted of wife, now deceased, formerly

xxxvi

INTRODUCTION

Miss Flora, daughter of Benjamin Carver; three sons, Carver, Eliphalet and Frank, now of Chicago,

and one daughter, Jennie, now Mrs. Prettyman, and also, I believe, is residing in Chicago. My

acquaintance with Samuel Remington was less thorough than with his brothers but sufficient to

enable me to estimate with some degree of correctness his qualities. In stature he was of medium

height, with an inclination to corpulency. His complexion was fair, his hair dark, and a pleasant

expression of the eye made his presence agreeable. I think he was an ambitious man, and that he had

a greater desire to make money for personal ends than either of his brothers. He taxed his physical

and mental powers to the point of utmost endurance and chafed and worried over delays, whether

unavoidable or the result of negligence on the part of others. His integrity was unquestioned, and his

success in negotiating contracts with foreign potentates testifies to his ability in that line.

During the Franco-German War, France not only gave him unlimited orders for arms of his

own company’s make, but made him purchasing agent of all the arms and munitions which he

could procure in this country, a commission of great responsibility, involving transactions amount-

ing to many millions.

He was not in harmony with his brothers in their religious convictions and seemed but little

interested in church or social affairs. He was a friend of the common school and a liberal supporter

of all schools to improve the village schools. In politics, he was a Republican but was too busy a man

to devote his time to political work.

In the settlement of his estate, his administrators sold his stock and all his interest in the busi-

ness of the corporation to his brother Philo, who then became chief owner as well as manager of

the business.

Following the adoption of the breech-loading rifle as an infantry arm and the systematic man-

ufacture of machinery with interchangeable parts, all the first class governments of the world, and

some of the lesser ones, made haste not only to equip their armies with breech loaders, but to estab-

lish plants for their manufacture. Some adopted the Remington, others models devised by their own

inventors. All sought to make themselves independent of foreign countries in time of war, as well as

to promote manufacturing industries within their own domains.

The Turkish government while not included in the first class is among the most warlike but too

near barbarous and destitute of skill in the mechanical arts to be competent to manufacture her own

arms, remained an open field for their sale. At one time, after protracted negotiations, the

Remingtons were at the point of closing a contract with that government for 400,000 rifles when a

party, nonofficial but occupying a position of great influence with the Sultan, stepped in with a

demand for a bonus of 50 cents per gun, which the company refused to pay, with the result that they

lost the job. Another effort to secure an order, the failure of which was of great effect in determining

the future of the company, will be referred to hereafter.

One of the principal and most embarrassing features of negotiations for government contracts was

the almost universal existence of corrupt and secret influences, which never could be measured nor

dealt with in the daylight. With the corruptionist; the merits of things to be bought or the price to be

paid by the governments are secondary to private plunder. The refusal of the Remingtons to pay trib-

ute to these scoundrels should ever be given honorable mention in the review of their business career.

The limitations thus put upon the sale of their products made the continued residence of Samuel

abroad unnecessary and led to his return as before stated. It had also made patent the fact that new

xxxvii

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

lines of manufacture must be adopted or their vast establishment be reduced to comparative idle-

ness. Sporting rifles, shotguns, and pistols would employ but a fraction of their facilities. Machinery

and appliances for making metallic cartridges were added, but this afforded but a slight reinforce-

ment to their work.

One source of relief, to which I have not referred, was however thought possible. The great suc-

cess of the breech-loading arm had intensely stimulated inventive genius in the line of improvement

of firearms, and the magazine rifle gave promise of being the quick successor of the breech loader. The

Winchester and other arms manufacturers were quickly in the field with successful sporting rifles of

that type, and the Remingtons gave inventors in this line employment and mechanical facilities, hop-

ing thereby to secure for themselves a position in this field, which would command the patronage at

least of the minor South American governments and possibly some of those of the old world.

Among the first of this class of inventors was one John W. Keene, who produced a magazine rifle

which was deemed of sufficient merit to warrant the construction of tools for its manufacture.

Numbers of guns were made both for military and sporting purposes, but they proved to lack the ele-

ments of practicability and safety, and their manufacture was abandoned leaving a lot of unsalable

guns on hand with a large amount charged to profit and loss account.

Another and more successful inventor in this line was James P. Lee, who brought out a practical

and meritorious military arm. Mr. Lee spent several years in the Remington works utilizing their

facilities for experimenting and model making. This arm was what is known in military parlance as

a bolt gun, common so far as this feature is concerned in various forms in Europe; the distinguish-

ing feature of his gun being a detachable magazine or case carrying five or more cartridges, a num-

ber of which could be carried on the soldier’s belt and, when required, instantly attached to the gun,

the case being detached when the cartridges were exhausted.

After securing United States and foreign patents covering his invention, Mr. Lee conveyed his

rights to a joint stock company organized in Connecticut known as The Lee Arms Co., who under-

took the manufacture of the arm at Bridgeport in that state. That company was unsuccessful in its

attempt to manufacture and introduce the gun and, closing their works, entered into an agreement

with the Remingtons, by which they were to manufacture and sell under license with payment of

royalty. This undertaking involved the investment of a large sum in tools and fixtures, with a capac-

ity for the production of 200 or more arms per day.

It is not my purpose to discuss the wisdom of this or other ventures made by the Remingtons,

but it is proper to say in this connection that the fact that the government of Great Britain has since

adopted the Lee gun, with some minor modifications, demonstrates that in this case their estimate

of the merits of the arm were not in error.

Believing this arm would find favor with the governments of the world, they proceeded to man-

ufacture several thousand stands, but military authorities seemed to be in a waiting rather than a

buying mood, induced in part by an unusual state of peace among the South American nations, and

the result of the whole undertaking was disappointing with a serious drain upon their resources.

The limited and imperfect review I have made of the Remington industry from its incipiency to

its greatest development is sufficient to demonstrate to the candid critic of the management, that

from first to last, conditions new and untried had to be dealt with, decisions of vast importance to

be promptly made.

xxxviii

INTRODUCTION

Nations had confided their destinies to keep their keeping, resting [the] powers of their armies

for offense and defense upon the effectiveness and durability of their arms, thus making them

responsible for much to be recorded in the current history of the world.

In the conduct of this great business, the Remingtons were without the light of experience,

were not schooled in finance or diplomacy, and, intensely burdened with the cares and responsi-

bilities of the present, were unable clearly to solve the extremely difficult problems which the

future presented.

During the sojourn of Samuel abroad, as well as after his demise, the burden of care and respon-

sibility rested principally upon the shoulders of Philo, Eliphalet being led by his tastes, as well as con-

victions, of duty to devote much of his time and energies to religious and philanthropic enterprises.

That serious mistakes were made will not be denied, but those who indulge in uncharitable

criticism will do well to ask themselves if, under such conditions, they could have made as cred-

itable a record.

In making a statement of the motives which actuated Mr. Philo Remington during the later

years of his business career, I write from the standpoint of a personal friend and confidant and with-

out the necessity for resorting to theory or conjecture.

After the point was reached when the debts of corporation were liquidated and an ample sur-

plus was in hand, he told me that every selfish impulse prompted him to throw off the cares and

responsibilities of business and spend the remainder of life in restful retirement, and that but one

consideration prevented him from yielding to this impulse. A large village had grown up around

their works, the habitants of which were dependent upon them for a livelihood, having invested their

savings in homes there. In an endeavor to ensure the future prosperity of these, he felt compelled by

a sense of duty to labor on and, if need be, to die in the harness.

Anticipating a decline in the demand for military arms, he could see no way for the accomplish-

ment of that for which he felt in duty bound to labor, except through a change from the manufac-

ture of the implements of war to those of peace.

The effort to accomplish his noble purposes was marked by the introduction of the manufacture

of various utensils to be used for domestic and business purposes, to which reference will be made

hereafter. Some of these essays proved slightly remunerative, others disastrously unprofitable. One,

eminently successful, failed to attain full fruition during his life and serve as a reward for his per-

sistent self sacrifice. But it cannot be said that his efforts were in vain. The great Typewriter Works,

the offspring of his endeavors, the finest manufacturing plant in Central New York and the pride of

Ilion, has given to her people that for which he wrought and to them a legacy of prosperity.

I have referred to the Agricultural Works, which was a prominent industry in the village but was

installed previous to the period just considered. The installation of this business and the erection of

the plant was by a joint stock company incorporated August 12, 1864, the first trustees being Philo

Remington, Eliphalet Remington, D. D. Devoe, James Sayre, Henry H. Fish, and Francis Kernan,

the last three of Utica. The business of this company was to manufacture farm implements. The

plant erected was extensive and the equipment elaborate—making horse-plows, the invention of

Stewart Perry of Newport, and mowing machines under license from the Walter A. Wood Co., and

the Sayre Cultivator Tooth, constitute the principal work during the first years with plows, etc., a

minor department.

xxxix

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In 1865, Mr. Sayre resigned his position as trustee and was followed in 1866 by Secretary Fish.

At the annual election on Jan. 24, 1866, John Dagwell, R. S. Williams, Francis Kernan, and F. T.

Woodford, of Utica, and Samuel and Philo Remington were elected, thus continuing the manage-

ment largely in the hands of Utica parties.

From the first, results were disappointing and the business a losing one. The causes I shall not

discuss further than to say that the rapid development of agriculture in the West carried with it the

establishment thereof factories with advantages as to freight and supplies of raw material so great as

to place eastern manufacturers almost outside the range of successful competition. The Utica stock-

holders seeing little chance for escape from greater losses conveyed their interests to the Remington

Brothers, who assumed the indebtedness of the corporation and operated the works thereafter. The

reputation of the standard implements, such as plows, cultivators, hoes, shovels, etc., which they

made was always good and they doubtless afforded some profit but efforts in the line of new inven-

tions, which they were induced to make, more than offset them and carried the profit and loss

account to the bad. Notable among these was the so-called reversible mower, the offspring of one

J. F. Crawford, who succeeded in securing the confidence of the Remingtons in himself and his

machine to an extent that probably $350,000 would not cover their losses. The Scattergood Cotton

Gin, an invention with apparent merits, failed to realize expectations and helped swell the losses.

The manufacture of iron bridges was also carried on, and many fine structures erected, prominent

among which were the one crossing the Mohawk river at Schenectady, which is 800 feet long, and

locally, those crossing the river at Fort Herkimer and at Mohawk and Ilion. The works were kept in

operation with continued efforts to introduce new and profitable lines of manufacture until April,

1886, when an assignment was made to Charles Harter, by whom the plant was sold, and subse-

quently passed into the possession of the present owners, Wyckoff, Seamans, and Benedict. During

most of the time, A. M. Ross had general charge of the manufacturing department, assisted at times

by D. D. Devoe, John F. Thomas, Harrison Brand and others. The financial management during the

Utica regime was by John C. Devereaux as Treasurer and after by F. C. Shepard and others at the

office of Remington & Sons.

Among the first and most important attempts to convert the armory into a manufactory of arti-

cles for domestic use was in the line of sewing machines. J. T. Jones, a successful inventor and former

employee of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, was employed, and the tools and goodwill of a

company operating elsewhere purchased. At that time the basic patents embraced in practical sewing

machines were owned by a few companies in combination, and from these licenses bearing large roy-

alties were obtained. Combining the invention of Jones with those acquired by license, a machine

was produced supposed to be practical and placed on the market through an elaborate system of

agencies. The machine failed to justify the expectations of its projectors and, until in later times after

expensive changes and improvements, obtained no standing in the market.

At one time, under the leadership of a man by the name of W. H. Hooper, a corporation was

organized called “The Remington Sewing Machine Company of North America” for the purpose of

exploiting and selling the machine. The Remingtons were the principal stockholders in this concern,

but at their solicitation, blocks of stock were also taken by many of the businessmen of the village

and by others outside. Hooper proved to be a visionary and impracticable man, and after an extrav-

agant expenditure in the equipment of offices and agencies, the project fell through, the Remingtons

xl

INTRODUCTION

shouldering the losses and refunding the subscriptions of outside stockholders. The manufacture of

sewing machines, however, was not abandoned. Mr. Jones was relieved from his position and the

work placed under the supervision of John Hoefler. Under his direction, improvements were made

which placed it in the list of first-class machines. In the meantime, the basic patents on sewing

machines had expired, and the field was opened for an almost ruinous competition, which quickly

followed, rendering the chances for profits exceedingly meager.

In 1882, Messrs. Charles Harter, Addison Brill, John Hoefler, John V. Schmidt, and O. B. Rudd

formed a company called the “Remington Sewing Machine Agency,” with Mr. Brill as manager, and

from that time, all sales were made through their agency. This proved to be a practicable arrange-

ment, and one that, if earlier adopted, might have averted heavy losses.

In investigating the causes leading to the ultimate failure of the company, I found $734,000.00

charged to profit and loss, and I have reason to believe other items, not included, make the loss on

account of sewing machines a round sum of $1,000,000.

The wonderful discoveries of the use of electricity, for lighting the streets of cities and villages,

seemed to open a field in which their facilities for manufacturing could be profitably employed, and

electricians were employed, who devised dynamos and lamps together with the other appliances nec-

essary to an equipment, and the required patterns and tools were made. The village of Ilion was

partly lighted by an experimental plant within their works, with such effectiveness as to induce its

adoption in Schenectady, Rome, and Oswego, and in some villages, but in this, as in the attempt to

introduce their sewing machines, they were confronted with the opposition of the powerful rush,

Edison and other competitors, and no permanent success rewarded their efforts. Profit and loss

account again registered to the bad.

Omitting reference to other minor essays, the typewriter now engages our attention. In the year

1873, Mr. James Densmore, with whom George N. Yost was associated in some manner, came to Ilion

to induce the Remingtons to enter into the manufacture of an instrument by that name, of which

Densmore was in part inventor and also controlled other patents used in the device. The typewriter

he brought with him was crude in its construction, with its parts so disproportionate and poorly

made that it barely served as the basis for a model, which could be manufactured by machinery. But

it would write and embodied the fundamental characteristics of the machine now of worldwide fame

and utility.

By many, it was regarded as a plaything, with little prospect of ever becoming a necessity in the

conduct of business correspondence or for engrossing legal documents.

The Remingtons, after careful deliberation, concluded that the merits of the invention war-

ranted them in embarking in its manufacture and entered into a contract giving them the right to

make and sell exclusively.

The work of remodeling and putting the machine into a practical and symmetrical form and

adapting machinery and tools to its manufacture required much time and large expenditures. This

work was confided largely to W. K. Jenne, who has superintended the manufacture to this date and

to whose practical genius it is indebted for many of its most meritorious features.

With this, as with other products, the most difficult problem was how to sell. The public must

be convinced of its practicability and educated in its use. Liberal sums must be paid for advertis-

ing and agencies established and maintained at great cost. To be a good manufacturer is one thing,

xli

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

to be a good salesman, another, and very different qualifications. Philo Remington, preeminently

a manufacturer, was without skill as a vendor, and his brother, whose health was not good and

whose wife was an invalid, had neither the time nor endowment for an undertaking so difficult

and extended.

After a period, during which some machines were marketed through the agency of Fairbanks &

Co. of New York, and the New York office of E. Remington & Sons, Clarence W. Seamans, son of

A. C. Seamans of Ilion, and at one time a bookkeeper in their office, associated with himself W. O.

Wyckoff of Ithaca, N.Y. and H. H. Benedict, then engaged in the Ilion office of the company, form-

ing a partnership under the name of Wyckoff, Seamans, and Benedict. This company entered into

an agreement with the Remingtons, by which they became the purchasers and sole vendors of the

Remington typewriter. These gentlemen proved to be well fitted for such an undertaking and read-

ily disposed of the then-limited product of the works. This arrangement continued till spring of 1886,

when Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict purchased the entire interests of E. Remington & Sons in the

typewriter business.

As a part of the history of Ilion, it is to be added that under the management of these enterpris-

ing men, the typewriter has been introduced into every part of the civilized world and has become a

necessity in conducting every department of public, professional, and business affairs.

This company manufactured typewriters for three years in buildings leased from E. Remington

& Sons and then removed to the plant of the former agricultural works on the north side of the canal,

which they purchased and equipped with a complete outfit of machinery and tools, especially

adapted to their wants.

To the already extensive plant, they have added an imposing brick factory, seven stories in

height, together with several auxiliary structures. This added space is not yet fully occupied, but the

equipment is most elaborate and convenient, and, when complete, will be second to no manufactur-

ing establishment in the world. In every department, great care has been taken to promote the com-

fort and well being of the employees while at work, and the sanitary arrangements are both elaborate

and scientific. Notable in this department is an equipment of free baths for the use of the workmen.

Sixteen spacious bathrooms (enclosed with polished cypress, furnished with porcelain tubs with

nickeled fixtures, and supplied with hot and cold water) are under the care of a special attendant,

whose duty is to see that they are kept scrupulously clean. Here the workmen may cultivate the Godly

virtue of cleanliness at their pleasure. Other sanitary conveniences of corresponding completeness

are properly distributed through the works. In response to the generous efforts of the proprietors to

promote the interests of the workmen, a cheerful compliance is given to the rules requiring neatness

and decorum on their part.

B. B. VanDeusen, the general manager, has displayed great ability in executing the wishes of the

proprietors in these regards and in organizing the various departments in such manner as to pro-

duce perfect harmony and efficiency. The present output is 100 improved typewriters per day with a

working force of about 800 men.

With the business of the country now rapidly improving, I risk little in promising that the com-

ing year will witness a swelling in the number of employees to 1000.

With a full and hearty recognition of the great achievements of this company, let us not forget

that none of these things were possible but for the beneficent purposes and efforts of the Remingtons.

xlii

INTRODUCTION

Happily, the privilege to be noble and generous is not exclusive. Clarence W. Seamans, with a

liberality prompted by his patriotic regard for his native village, in 1893, presented it with a beauti-

ful “Free Public Library” building, erected at an expense of $30,000. As the result of public subscrip-

tions, supplemented by generous gifts of books by Mrs. Seamans and others, the library now contains

about 10,000 volumes with a yearly circulation of 42,000 volumes. The management is by a board

of trustees appointed by the village authorities. The present incumbents being Mr. and Mrs. C. W.

Seamans, James Conkling, B. B. VanDeusen, John A. Giblin and Misses Cornelia Seamans and

Harriet E. Russell. Mr. Seamans also gives generous aid to other public institutions in the village.

Mr. Benedict, without the inspiration of nativity, has won the gratitude of the people of Ilion by

large gifts of money, notably to the Presbyterian and Baptist Churches, enabling both to own fine

churches free from debt.

But regard for your patience bids me hasten to close this paper, with a record of events relating

to the waning career of the Remingtons.

The undertakings, to which I have referred, rapidly depleted their treasury and reduced them to

the ranks of debtors. Various schemes were resorted to in order to bridge them over what was hoped

to be temporary difficulties. Among them were the issuance of bonds as security for loans. Another

and more hurtful expedient was the introduction of what was known as “the order system” by which

employees were permitted to purchase their supplies of the merchants, giving in payment orders on

the company, who, in return, issued their notes payable in one, two or three months. This, like all

other unsound financial methods, simply wrought confusion and financial disorder.

Not anticipating such a reversal of conditions, both Philo and Eliphalet had felt at liberty to

make disposition of the large sums received from the dividends referred to, much of what was

devoted to educational, philanthropic and religious institutions (notably to the Syracuse

University). Some large investments were also made, which brought no returns. Philo was also seri-

ously embarrassed by yielding to the solicitations of W. S. King of Minneapolis for financial aid

involving large amounts, just at the time when he most needed all his available resources for the pro-

tection of his own interests. The reward he received for his self-sacrifice was an illustration of selfish

ingratitude, which my pen is incompetent to depict. With their private resources thus depleted, they

were not in a condition to relieve the situation by the use of personal means.

Apparently bewildered by their environment, they entrusted their financial management to

John Brown, who, less competent than themselves, led them in a kiting downhill race.

Just then, hopes were revived by the appearance of Turkey in the market as a negotiator for

600,000 stands of infantry arms. Her experts had reported favorably upon the Remington Lee maga-

zine rifle, and hopes were indulged that the contract could be obtained, and thereby the company

extricated from its financial stress. Seeking thereby to liquidate the most pressing demands and gain

time for obtaining more permanent relief, early in March, 1886, they sold all their interest in the type-

writer business to Wyckoff, Seamans, & Benedict as heretofore stated, receiving therefore, I think,

$186,000. This move failed in its purposes. Some creditors were paid from this fund; all wanted to be.

At the juncture, Mr. John J. Hannas came to the front with a scheme for an extension. While his

scheme was deemed chimerical by some and of doubtful practicability by others, the company deter-

mined to try it, and in pursuance thereof, conveyed a majority of their capitol [sic] stock to a com-

mittee consisting of Addison Brill, John L. McMillan and myself, who were to assume the

xliii

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

management of the business, while Mr. Hannas was to secure assent from the creditors to an exten-

sion. A few days sufficed to terminate that essay. Creditors refused to be put off, demanding immedi-

ate payment, and failing to realize this, they resorted to legal methods. But one course remained,

and this was promptly taken. Mr. Brill and myself, by the choice of Mr. Remington, were by Justice

Pardon C. Williams of the Supreme Court made temporary and later permanent receivers of the

estate, with Thomas Richardson as counsel. Creditors were restrained from further proceedings, and

after a careful survey of the existing conditions, the court was asked to order the receivers to operate

the works and to make and execute contracts. Arrangements were made with Hartley & Graham of

New York, by which they took a leading part in the negotiations with Turkey, which at times gave

promise of success. The cooperation of the party, who controlled the previous contract to the discom-

fort of the Remingtons, was secured and success seemed at hand. At this juncture, German influences

became active in the interests of the German manufacturer Mauser. The German minister at that

court actively engaged in Mauser’s behalf, while owing to the vacancy caused by the death of the

United States Minister S. S. Cox, we had no counteracting influences. So Mauser carried off the prize.

Thence nothing was left for the receivers but to execute such minor orders as might be secured,

complete work in progress, realize on assets, and wind up the business of the company. Two years

elapsed before the plant was sold and, owing to vexatious litigation, four more, before the final clos-

ing of the work and discharge of the receivers. The works were sold at auction to Hartley & Graham

in March, 1888, for the sum of $200,000. Since that time, they have operated them under the corpo-

rate name of the “Remington Arms Co.,” and have continued the manufacture of small arms, but

have never secured large governmental contracts. They have, however, made bicycles in large num-

bers and have employed a force varying from 500 to 1000 men.

The assets of the corporation, as shown by an inventory based upon cost with liberal deductions

for supposed depreciation, were $1,711,783.94 (with liabilities amounting to $1,255,703.27, about

$450,000 of which was secured by hypothecated goods and $65,000 was due for labor) leaving an

apparent surplus of $456,080.67. From such an exhibit the natural conclusion would be that all liabil-

ities could be met. But here comes the difficulty; guns and pistols were not staple commodities like cot-

ton cloth or pig iron. The market was limited and purchasers could fix their own prices. So also with

the plant; there were no anxious competitors of its purchase, and it had to be sold for a nominal sum.

The receivers were able to pay the labor accounts in full and, in the main, the secured creditors

from the goods pledged. Upon all unsecured claims the payment was 36%. Thus, after nearly 70

years of life, closed a business which has seldom been paralleled as to the period of its existence or

the magnitude of its operations.

Let not the clouds of misfortune, or mistakes of the past, obscure the vision from the masterly

achievements of former days.

Philo Remington saw the control of the great business pass into other hands without a murmur

and cheerfully rendered the receivers all the aid in his power in their endeavors to administer the

estate in the interest of creditors and of the people, with whom, and for whom, he had labored so

incessantly. But the sudden relaxation was more damaging to an overtaxed system than continued

activity. In the winter of 1888–89 accompanied by his wife, he visited Florida hoping that a milder

climate would aid in the recovery of waning health. For a time, it was thought that this would be

realized, but on the 4th day of April at Silver Springs and without premonition, his generous heart

xliv

INTRODUCTION

ceased to beat. His stricken companion, with his remains, made her cheerless journey to their home,

where impressive funeral services were held conducted by the pastor of his church, assisted by former

pastors and those of other denominations in the village.

The house and spacious grounds were crowded with the people of his own and surrounding vil-

lages, who joined the sad procession as he was carried by former employees to his last resting place

in the village cemetery. Never was man more sincerely respected in life or mourned in death.

The personality of Philo Remington was peculiarly attractive. In stature, he was above the

medium with every physical feature well developed. A massive head crowned with a luxuriant

growth of waving black hair, which lost none of its beauty as time tinged it with silvery gray and

white, gave harmony to the physical endowment. A sympathetic nature beamed through kindly

expressive eyes, with which every facial delineation was in harmony.

Modest and unassuming in his manners, he led without pomp and controlled without force.

With wonderful equipoise and self-control, he maintained alike in prosperity and adversity an

unruffled temper and the bearing of the true gentleman.

In politics, Mr. Remington, like his father, was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican. For

many years, he was President of the Village, but aside from this, he neither sought nor held office.

His life was an exemplification of consistent Christian character, with a membership in the

Methodist Episcopal Church, to the interests of which he contributed with unstinted generosity.

On December 28, 1841, Philo Remington married Miss Caroline A. Lathrop, who survives him

and resides in Ilion. Their children were Ida, wife of Watson C. Squire, and Ella, now the wife of

Howard C. Furman of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Squire have two sons, Philo R. of New York City

and Shirley of Seattle, Wash., and two daughters, Aldine and Marjorie, at present residing with their

grandmother at Ilion.

Ella has been twice married, first to E. P. Greene of Amsterdam, N.Y., who died in December,

1876, leaving three sons, Frederick Remington, William Kimball and Harry P., now deceased.

Eliphalet, the only surviving member of the family whose business history I have so imperfectly

sketched, still resides in his native village.

As has been seen, he was less prominent than his brothers in the management of the business.

A zealous Christian, he has devoted much of his time and means to the advancement of the

cause of education and of temperance and religion.

Like his brother, he possesses a fine physique and pleasing manners. He enjoys, to an unusual

degree, the respect and esteem of all who know him. If I am privileged to name his greatest fault, it

is that in his zeal in behalf of others he is too forgetful of his own interests.

His marriage was to Catharine, daughter of Louis Stevens of Ilion. They have two daughters,

Jessie, now Mrs. Wm. I. Calder of Harrisburg, and Bertha, wife of T. Elliott Patterson of Philadelphia,

Pa., and one son, Philo, married and living in New York City.

I have already made this paper so voluminous as to forbid an attempt to bring the history of the

Village of Ilion up to date. Suffice it to say that the present population is about 5,000 and is slowly

increasing. The proximity of the villages of Frankfort, Mohawk, and Herkimer, which are connected

with it by an electric street railroad, enables many of the workmen employed to reside in those places

and to that extent retards the growth of Ilion, which, if isolated, would doubtless have attained a

50% larger growth.

xlv

REMINGTON HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

CHAPTER ONE

Remington Navy

Revolvers Purchased

by the Army Ordnance

Department

The year of 1861 began with the nation in turmoil; by January 12, four states had seceded from

the Union and rumors of war were rampant. The Union had a standing army of less than fif-

teen thousand men, and the officer ranks had been decimated by the resignation of many whose

loyalties were south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The federal government had made only token

preparations for war, as officials still nurtured hope of avoiding outright hostilities. This was the

situation when rebel forces fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. President Lincoln issued a call

for seventy-five thousand volunteers on April 15; initially, manpower was not a problem, as

enlistment offices were swamped with volunteers. Arming the troops proved to be a more diffi-

cult task, as the arsenals remaining in Union hands were poorly stocked.

After the loss of Fort Sumter, the War Department made little immediate effort to secure

additional arms. During May and June 1861, the Ordnance Department ordered only 6,000 car-

bines from Sharps, 32,500 sabers from Ames, and 7,300 revolvers from Colt, who at that time was

the only arms manufacturer with facilities capable of mass producing military-sized revolvers.

This lax attitude was engendered by the common misconception in the North that the rebel

forces would soon be brought to bay. It was not until the Confederate victory at Bull Run on

July 21, 1861, that the department began to purchase arms in volume.

Eleven days after the war began; Ripley replaced seventy-year-old Craig as head of the

department. On July 31, Ripley advised Secretary of War Simon Cameron of arms the depart-

ment was in the process of procuring. The following is an excerpt from the report:

Statement of Arms recently Purchased, Ordered and Contracted.

July 5th, 11th, & 13th, 4 Contracts 100,000 U.S. Rifle Muskets

July 21st Howland & Aspinwall 17,000 Enfield Rifle Muskets

July 22nd Maj. Hagner—Purchase 1,400 Enfield Rifle Muskets

July 25th T. Poultney 12,400 foreign Rifle Muskets

1

July 25th C. K. Garrison 10,000 French Rifle Muskets

July 26th Mitchell & Jones 50,000 Enfield Rifle Muskets

July 27th Merwin & Bray 6,500 Enfield Rifle Muskets

July 27th John Pounder 10,000 foreign Rifle Muskets

July 30th E. Remington & Son 10,000 U.S. Rifles Contract

Total 217,300 Inf. & Riflemens arms

June 12th S. Colt 6,000 Revolvers order

June 29th Sharps Arms Co. 6,000 Carbines order

July 16th Burnside Arms Co. 800 Carbines order

July 29th Remington & Son 5,000 Revolvers order

Total 17,800 Calvary small arms

June 11th J. T. Ames 32,500 swords and sabers

July 18th Capt. Whiteley—purchase 10,000 swords and sabers

July 25th Lt. Treadwell—purchase 3,500 swords and sabers

Major Hagner at New York, and Lieut. Treadwell, at Philadelphia have orders to purchase all

the small arms, swords and sabers they can find, of satisfactory quality, and at reasonable prices. In

addition to the foregoing, 30,000 muskets have been ordered to New York from California, and

General Fremont has purchased 2,000 rifles and 500 revolving pistols—making the following totals

of arms recently purchased, ordered, and contracted for, viz:

249,000 Infantry & Riflemen’s arms

18,300 Calvary arms

47,000 Swords & Sabers1

The early history of the Remington firm is well documented in Albert Russell’s address, pre-

sented earlier in this volume. By the mid-1850s, the firm was well established as a maker of rifle

barrels and other iron products associated with farming (figure 11). They had also completed

small arms contracts for the Ordnance Department. The company had grown to the point where

the Remingtons found it expedient to build their own barges for use on the Erie Canal as a

method for importing raw goods and other necessities for the production of rifle barrels, iron

tools, and utensils (figure 12).

In 1857 E. Remington & Sons introduced the first of a series of .31 caliber pocket revolvers

based on patents issued to Fordyce Beals in 1856–57. On September 14, 1858, the U.S. Patent

Office issued Beals patent number 21,478 for the arrangement of the arbor pin (cylinder arbor)

and loading lever, whereby the pin was retained in the frame by the lever (figure 13).

Remington’s Third Pocket Model Revolver, introduced in 1859, was the first to utilize Beals’s

1858 patent (figure 14). The Beals Pocket Models were not big sellers, with a total production of

all three models estimated at seventy-five hundred to eight thousand. Ultimately, Beals’s patent

proved so successful that Remington would use it on all of their percussion revolvers employing

2

CHAPTER ONE

a loading lever, with two notable exceptions: the army and navy models with William Elliot’s ill-

fated loading lever and arbor pin system.

In October 1860, Remington published a price list announcing the introduction of a navy-size

revolver “which will be in the market next spring” (figure 15). Perhaps Remington anticipated the

demand for a larger caliber revolver in the event of war. If so, their timing could not have been bet-

ter, as the Beals Navy Revolver first appeared shortly after the war began (figure 16). The exact date

of introduction is difficult to ascertain, but after reviewing related correspondence, I feel comfort-

able in estimating that Remington’s Navy Revolvers were first produced in April or May 1861.

Remington’s first attempts at utilizing Beals’s patent on the navy models proved to be

impractical. They had used it successfully on the Third Model Pocket Revolvers, but when

adapted to the larger frame and longer barrel of the navy revolvers, there were difficulties in

retaining the arbor pin in the frame when the loading lever was lowered. This error was evi-

dently not discovered until the revolvers were in the final stages of assembly, and after parts for

approximately two hundred revolvers had been milled. Even though this lot of revolvers was

somewhat less than perfect, Remington assembled the parts and sold the revolvers to the trade.

Unwittingly, Remington had produced one of the true rarities in the Remington collecting field;

the highest serial number reported for this variation is 174. The most notable feature of this

revolver is the cylinder arbor pin, which has only one “ear” or “wing” to facilitate extraction.

When identifying this variant, collectors refer to these revolvers as the “Single Wing Beals Navy”

(figure 17). With an estimated production of less than two hundred, this revolver is extremely

rare and examples are seldom seen in dealers’ inventories.

A change in design was mandated; this was accomplished by enlarging the diameter of the

arbor pin, adding a second wing, and milling a flat section on the bottom of the forward end of

3

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Figure 11Remington Armory circa 1854.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

4

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 12Remington barges under construction for use on the Erie Canal. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Figure 13Fordyce Beals’s patent, number21,478. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

the pin for approximately two-thirds of the pin’s length. This created a shoulder near the rear of

the pin, which engaged a corresponding shoulder on the rear of the loading lever when the lever

was in the lowered position. This combination of parts effectively prevented the complete

removal of the arbor pin from the frame, unless the loading lever was first removed (figure 18).

There has been some debate among students of Remington design concerning Fordyce

Beals’s involvement in this new design. It is the author’s opinion that he was not, as this arrange-

ment was not patented until 1863, after the firm had reverted from the Elliot to the Beals system.

It was apparently an afterthought, and the patent was assigned to Samuel Remington. There

were other simultaneous minor changes in design; I shall discuss these elsewhere in this volume.

Once Remington had perfected this new arbor-locking system, they renumbered the Navies

again starting at serial number 1. This created a duplication of serial numbers in the early navy

models. Duplication of serial numbers has been noted in later production Remington percus-

sion revolvers, but these numbers were usually assigned to revolvers that received some special

attention, such as being cased, engraved, or both. The serial numbers assigned to these latter

revolvers are usually one, two, or three digits, and in a few rare instances, a letter of the alpha-

bet was used instead of a number.

Remington now had a large frame revolver for which there was an unprecedented demand

from commercial arms dealers (figure 19). The Remingtons thought that they could be of bet-

ter service by furnishing their arms to the government, and they immediately took steps to

invite the military’s interest. In late June or early July, a representative from Ilion made a per-

sonal visit to the commander of Watervliet Arsenal, which is near Troy, New York. This resulted

in the following letter, in which is found the first mention of Remington revolvers in the

department’s files:

5

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Figure 14Remington-Beals Third Model Pocket Revolver. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

6

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 16Sketch of very early Beals Navy Revolver. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot–RSA Archives)

Figure 15E. Remington & Sons, 1860 broadside.(Author’s collection)

Watervliet Arsenal

July 2, 1861

Colonel J. W. Ripley

United States Corps of Ordnance.

Sir,

Mr. J. [sic] Remington, of the firm of E. Remington & Son, of Ilion, New York, has shown

me a pistol of their make, which I think deserves the consideration of the ordnance

department, and I have therefore advised him to present the pistol in person to you for

examination. Its combination of parts is very simple.

I am Sir, Respectfully, Your Obt. Servant

W. A. Thornton

Brevet Major U.S. Army, Com’g Arsenal2

William Anderson Thornton’s name will be readily recognized by collectors of martial

arms (figure 20). Thornton was a career army officer with many years of service as com-

mander of armories and arsenals, during which he also served as an inspector of small arms

for the department. His cartouche is found on many arms purchased by the government prior

to the Civil War.

On Wednesday, July 17, the Herkimer Democrat published an account of the recent death of

Eliphalet Remington Jr.:

Death of Eliphalet Remington

This highly respected gentleman, and head of the extensive manufactory of fire arms,

at Ilion, in this county, died at his residence on Friday last. At a meeting of the

employees of the Armory, a Series of resolutions of respect were adopted, and a badge

of mourning is to be worn for the usual time. His age was upwards of sixty years.3

7

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Figure 17Remington-Beals Single Wing Navy Revolver, serial number 147. (Author’s collection)

His age was, in fact, sixty-seven; his sixty-eighth birthday would have occurred on October 28.

Some Remington historians have attributed his death, in part, to exhaustion caused by the strain

of supervising efforts to produce arms for the Union Army. The fallacy of this observation is

apparent; the firm had yet to receive their first order for arms from the War Department.

Thornton’s letter of July 2 was closely followed by another endorsement:

New York

July 18, 1861

General Ripley

Chief of Ordnance, Washington.

General,

Mr. Remington takes on to you one of his revolvers. I am procuring all of them I can for

the Western army, and hope to hear that I can get all I may need. I have seen no revolver

I like as well, and the price is nearer the cost than with some others. As Messrs.

Remington have done much good work under my superintendence, I take pleasure in

mentioning them to you.

P. V. Hagner, Brevet Major4

Maj. Peter Valentine Hagner was also an experienced ordnance officer with twenty-five

years of service in the army after graduating from West Point in 1836 (figure 21). The depart-

ment had assigned Hagner, Capt. Silas Crispin, and Lt. T. J. Treadwell to locate and purchase

arms for the Union Army. I cannot explain Hagner’s reference to procuring Remington

revolvers. Department records indicate that no Remington revolvers were purchased from

either Remington or commercial arms dealers until almost a full month later. Hagner may

have been negotiating for some of these revolvers prior to writing his letter. Another more

8

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 18Remington-Beals Transition Revolver. Inset shows second type of cylinder arbor. (Author’s collection)

9

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Figure 19Remington-Beals Second Variation Revolver. Inset depicts large lever latch post. (Author’s collection)

Figure 20Col. William A. Thornton, inspector of contractarms. (Courtesy: National Archives)

Figure 21Col. Peter V. Hagner, inspector of contract arms.(Courtesy: National Archives)

likely possibility is that some early Remington revolver purchases were never correctly entered

into the department’s ledgers.

The department was desperate for all goods necessary for waging war. On July 9, 1861, Ripley

sent the following to Captain Whiteley, then commander of the New York Arsenal, stressing the

necessity for constant perseverance in acquiring arms from contractors:

Sir,

It is necessary that the contract sub inspectors should be impressed with the necessity of

using every exertion to hasten the delivery of arms &c and on no account to allow any

delay to arise from any neglect or fault of theirs. They must work ten hours a day, or more

if necessary to keep up with the work to be inspected. If there are any delinquents report

them and take measures to correct the delinquencies, and if, as I am informed was the

case of Mr. Taylor at Binghampton, the contractors do not furnish enough work to keep

them employed, withdraw them, and put them on duty where their services are wanted.5

Ripley again contacted Whiteley on July 19:

Sir,

The calls for swords and sabres are so urgent, that it is necessary that everything possible

should be done to obtain supplies. We must avail ourselves of all serviceable arms of the

kind, which may be offered, whether they come up or not to the exact standard of times

when we could await deliveries without inconvenience. Therefore slight blemishes; or

departure from the exact gauge dimensions, which do not injure the serviceableness of the

arms, will not be considered causes for rejection. Under present circumstances, we must

overlook all but real defects.

Your own good judgement will enable you to act properly in the matter, and give the

requisite instructions to your inspectors.6

On July 29, a representative from Remington made a personal visit to the Ordnance

Department seeking government orders for Remington revolvers and rifles. This visit resulted in

immediate orders for both; the revolver order was tendered by Ripley on the same day:

Messrs. E. Remington & Sons,

Please make for this department, with the greatest possible dispatch, 5,000 revolver pistols, of

the same description as the sample you showed here, but of the calibre of the army pistol, .44

inch. Send a sample of the pistol, calibre .44 inch such as you are to deliver, for examination

at this office and to serve as a guide in the inspections. There will be allowed for these pistols

fifteen dollars ($15.) each, including appendages; to be paid, as usual, on certificates of

inspection and receipt. Please signify your acceptance or non-acceptance of this order.7

The acceptance of this order was penned at Washington on the same day. It was signed

E. Remington & Sons, making it impossible to identify the Remington representative, but I

10

CHAPTER ONE

suspect that it was Samuel Remington, who was the firm’s envoy and negotiator after the

death of Eliphalet Remington Jr. The other two sons had assumed different positions in the

company—Philo managed plant operations, and Eliphalet III assumed the clerical duties.

Sir,

We have the honor to inform you that we will accept of your order to furnish your depart-

ment with five thousand revolver pistols similar to sample shown you, but of the army

size of calibre, at $15. each.8

Ripley tendered the second order on the following day:

Gentlemen,

You will please make for this department, and deliver with all possible dispatch, ten thou-

sand rifles with sword bayonets, and appendages complete. These rifles are to be .58 inch

calibre, and to have a three leaf rear sight, and a cupped ramrod, with sword bayonet

stud similar to those of the Harpers Ferry rifle model of 1855, in other respects of the pat-

tern of the rifles without bayonets heretofore made by you for this department.

Please send a sample rifle to this office as soon as possible for examination, and to

serve as a guide in the inspection of the 10,000 to be delivered by you.

These rifles are to be subject to the regular inspection, and to be paid for on certifi-

cates of inspection and receipt, at twenty dollars each, appendages and sword bayonets

included. Please signify your acceptance or non-acceptance of this order, and in case of

acceptance lose no time in preparing and delivering the arms.9

On August 6, the company sent a response to the above order, indicating that Remington’s

representative had returned to Ilion. Doubtless, this was done to obtain home office concurrence

before acceptance:

Sir:

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 30th ultimo, and

to say that we accept the order contained therein for ten thousand rifles, model of 1855,

with sword bayonets and appendages complete.10

From later testimony before the Owen-Holt Commission, I gathered that the Remingtons

were disappointed in the limited quantities of these orders and took no immediate attempts to

comply with either. Neither the revolver nor rifle orders were contracts, and neither were ful-

filled as specified. Both were later modified by the Owen-Holt Commission on Ordnance, sub-

stituting contracts for the original letter orders. Although several thousand navy revolvers would

be delivered to the Ordnance Department, ten months would pass before Remington furnished

the first lot of 850 .44 caliber Beals Army Revolvers (figure 22).

The reason Remington delivered navy revolvers in lieu of army models becomes quite

apparent when all the facts are examined. In 1861 their armory was still fairly small, and they

11

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

were not tooled up for the manufacture of army revolvers. It appears that the Remingtons

were reluctant to make major investments in new machinery for the small revolver order that

they had received from the department. Their navy revolvers were selling quite briskly, both

on the open market and to the army. Remington evidently saw no reason to make major

investments in machinery to produce army revolvers as long as the department was willing to

accept Navies. Samuel Remington, when testifying before the Owen-Holt Commission on

April 4, 1862, stated, “We can now deliver pistols, could have delivered army pistols heretofore,

but was [sic] delayed on account of the delivery of navy pistols to Major Hagner.”11

While the original order specified the delivery of 5,000 army revolvers, the department’s

records disclosed purchases of 7,250 navy and 850 army revolvers between August 17, 1861, and

May 31, 1862. The order had instructed Remington to deliver a sample revolver in caliber .44

to serve as a guide in the inspections. It had also called for the revolvers to be inspected. With

respect to this order for five thousand Armies, Remington never delivered the sample revolver,

and the department never assigned inspectors to the armory. The navy revolvers that were

accepted by Crispin and Hagner received no formal inspection and, therefore, do not have an

inspector’s cartouche on the grips.

On August 2, Ripley began a series of letters and telegrams to ordnance officers, convey-

ing again the urgency of early deliveries of arms and other related stores. The first went to Lt.

George T. Balch, then stationed at the Washington Arsenal:

Sir:

It being necessary that Maj. Hagner should devote his whole time to procuring arms

and accouterments, horse equipments &c in New York and its immediate vicinity, you

will have to relieve him from the other duties which have been assigned to him. For this

purpose you will proceed to New York and confer with Maj. Hagner, and ascertain the

character and extent of his duties, in addition to those in New York and its vicinity, and

12

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 22Remington-Beals Army Revolver, serial number 1,028. (Author’s collection)

how far they have been executed. You will then proceed to complete them, and will for

this purpose, visit Springfield, Mass. and such other places as may be necessary to enable

you to attend to the execution of the orders Maj. Hagner has given, of the instructions

you have received here, and of those which may hereafter be sent to you. Your station

while engaged on these duties, will be Springfield, Mass., where you will take post.12

On the following day, Ripley notified Hagner of his new duties:

Sir:

It is necessary that you should be at New York, or its immediate vicinity, at all times,

so as to take advantage of every arrival of arms, and be able to purchase from first

parties. For this reason Lt. Balch has been ordered to proceed to New York to confer

with you in relation to the character and extent of your duties other than those at New

York and Newark, and to relieve you from their further execution. You will please give

him all the information necessary to enable him to perform the service to which he has

been assigned.

On August 6, Ripley telegraphed the following to Hagner:

Buy all the swords, pistols and carbines suitable for Cavalry and all arms suitable for

infantry that you can find and send them here at once. Urge all the contractors for car-

riages, equipments, and artillery harness and to increase exertions, and send everything

here as soon as it is finished.

At the same instance, he sent a second telegram to Thornton at Watervliet Arsenal:

Push work on 12 pdr. and other field carriages, and harness; and send them here as soon

as possible. The need is most urgent!

He also dispatched a third telegram to Balch, now at the Springfield Armory:

Urge all the contractors forward. Work nights, and put on more hands. The need is

most urgent!13

Remington made their first delivery of navy revolvers to the department on August 17,

1861. The following provide examples of correspondence concerning the deliveries of October 5

and 12, 1861. On October 11, Remington billed the department for four hundred Navies:

Sir,

We beg leave to hand you herewith our account for 400 revolvers (Navy size) forwarded

to Lt. Col. G. D. Ramsey, Comdg. Washington Arsenal (ordered by Major P. V. Hagner).

We shall be glad to receive returns for same as soon as practicable.14

13

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

On October 19, Ripley requested the military storekeeper at the Washington Arsenal to con-

firm the delivery:

E. N. Stebbins, Esq., M.S.K.

To enable me to settle the account of Remington’s & Sons for 400 Revolvers Navy size, you

will please send a receipt for them to this office.15

Again, on October 24, Remington billed the department for another lot of four hun-

dred Navies:

Sir,

We have the honor to enclose herewith our account for 400 revolvers (Navy size) for-

warded under order received from Major P. V. Hagner, to Lt. Col. G. D. Ramsey, Comdg.

Washington Arsenal. Hoping to receive returns for the same as early as practicable.16

Although Remington was delivering revolvers to the army, they were reluctant to abandon

the commercial dealers who were essential to their wholesale trade and continued to supply

them with revolvers. The majority of these arms were, in turn, purchased by the Ordnance

Department. I found that this was not an isolated case; dealers regularly acquired arms that were

later purchased by the department. During the early months of the war, thousands of revolvers

changed hands in this manner, many at exorbitant prices.

The department recorded its first purchase of three hundred Remington Navies from

Remington in their ledger: “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,” on

August 17, 1861.17 Nine days after Hagner took delivery of these, the department purchased fifty

from New York arms dealer Schuyler, Hartley, and Graham. Department records reveal purchases

of twenty-three hundred Remington Navy Revolvers from commercial dealers in the remaining

months of 1861, at prices ranging from $16.00 to $22.50. Remington also supplied dealers with an

unknown number of revolvers that were resold to the civilian trade. During this same period, the

company furnished only sixteen hundred revolvers on the department’s order of July 29, 1861.

This practice continued until the early weeks of 1862, when the department urged Remington to

deliver more revolvers. On February 4, Ripley contacted Remington with the following:

Telegram

How many pistols per week can this Dept. depend on receiving from you? Please answer

at once.18

Remington was not singled out for this query, as the department sent the same message to

many arms contractors. Remington, perceiving the urgency of this message, discontinued, at

least temporarily, supplying revolvers to commercial dealers and simultaneously increased navy

revolver production.

On the following day, the Herkimer Democrat published the following article on the

increased activities at Ilion:

14

CHAPTER ONE

The Remington Armory at Ilion

The armory at Ilion, with its large number of employees, is the source of great pros-

perity to that thriving village. About 150 arms are now being turned out. A new addi-

tion will soon turn out 100 more, and a branch at Utica another 100, making the daily

production of rifles, pistols, and carbines about three hundred and fifty.

A writer describing these works says the machinery is kept in constant operation,

except on Sundays, by relays of hands. The system which prevails throughout is

admirable. Division of labor is carried to the ultimate. Scores of machines are at work,

each upon a single process. Not only are the distinct parts of the weapon made by sep-

arate machines, but each process upon each distinct part is the result of a machine

designed for that particular work. As the parts pass through the long array of opera-

tions, they take form and polish and beauty, and, gathered into the assembling room,

they unite in the perfect weapon. For it is the beauty of this system, that all the parts

of the weapons of the same class, are interchangeable; so accurate is the workmanship

and so perfectly does the machinery repeat, day after day, its delicate manipulations.

Here are the three gentlemen—Messrs Samuel, Philo, and Eliphalet Remington—

bred to the manufacture of arms, from boyhood, under a father himself skilled to the

work. They have gathered the best labor for leading positions that the country affords,

and find that no more of thoroughly skilled artisans can be obtained for love or

money. Whatever forty years of experience could devise in the way of machinery, they

have built and procured. Their army and navy pistols are commended by the ordnance

bureau at Washington, and are largely used by the Union Forces. The elder Mr.

Remington, now deceased, was the inventor of steel barreled guns, first adopted by the

United States Government when Jeff Davis was Secretary of War. They are now manu-

facturing large carbines for the Government, and have a contract of some magnitude

for rifles.19

This article is typical of newspaper reporting in this era. The author has distorted the facts,

grossly exaggerating the present and anticipated production of the Ilion Armory. Remington was

producing approximately fifty revolvers a day, or twelve hundred a month. The company was not

making rifles or carbines at that time; they did not deliver their first rifles until April 1863. The

only information of importance was mention of impending construction of an armory in Utica.

During the latter part of 1861, the War Department came under public scrutiny for award-

ing contracts and orders for goods and services in violation of the Act of June 23, 1860. Secretary

of War Simon Cameron resigned in January 1862 (figure 23), and Edwin M. Stanton succeeded

him (figure 24). On March 10, Stanton issued a General Order that suspended deliveries on all

arms orders and contracts that had been granted by the department. He also established the

Commission on Ordnance and Ordnance Stores to “audit and adjust all contracts, orders and

claims on the War Department in respect to Ordnance, Arms and Ammunition.”20 Stanton

appointed Robert Dale Owen and Joseph Holt as commissioners, vesting with them the author-

ity to rescind, modify, and renegotiate contracts to protect the interests of the government.

Shortly after the commissioners convened, they requested the services of an ordnance officer to

15

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

16

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 23Secretary of war, Simon Cameron.(Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Figure 24Secretary of war, Edwin M. Stanton.(Courtesy: Library of Congress)

assist them in their investigations, and the department assigned Hagner to this duty. Thereafter,

Crispin received Remington’s revolvers for the department.

On April 7, Hagner sent an inquiry to Ripley on behalf of the commission. On the follow-

ing day Ripley replied as follows:

Sir,

In answer to your letter of the 7th inst. asking for certain information on behalf of the

“Commissioner on Ordnance and Ordnance Stores,” I have to say that no trial of the revolver

made by Messrs. Rodgers Spencer & Co. has ever been made at the directions of this Dept.

Nor is there any information in the files of this office regarding the merits of the weapon.

Neither has there ever been a trial of the Remington pistol, as far as I am aware, been

made by this Dept. From the examination which I have been able to make of the samples

of these two pistols, I am not aware that the first named possesses any advantages over the

latter as a military weapon. I enclose herewith, a report of a Board of Officers that estab-

lished the pattern of the present Colt’s Army pistol, for the perusal of the Commission.21

The first revolver, described by Ripley, was actually a Pettingill, then being manufactured by

Rogers and Spencer (figure 25). The department later acquired a small quantity of these. In this

reply, Ripley also forwarded the following report of a board of officers convened in 1860 to

examine Colt’s Improved Army Revolver (Model 1860).

Washington Arsenal, D.C., May 19, 1860

The Board of Officers appointed by Special Order No. 94, “to examine and report on cer-

tain improvements recently made in Colt’s Revolving firearms,” having made the exami-

nation as directed, submit the following Report:

The improvement, as claimed by Mr. Colt, consists in diminishing the weight of his

Revolver known as the Dragoon or Holster Pistol, and retaining the same calibre, thereby

17

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Figure 25Pettingill Army Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

securing as great efficiency of fire, without the disadvantages heretofore found in carrying

and handling the heavier pistol of that description. The Board first made a careful exami-

nation of the Improved Revolver, from which they are convinced that it possesses decided

advantages over that which it is designed to supercede, not only from its reduced weight,

but also from its superior model, which is apparent at first view. There were two

Revolvers of this model presented for examination, differing only in the length of the bar-

rel; one being 7 1/2 inches long, the exact length of the old model; the other half an inch

longer, or eight inches in the barrel.

The following are the results of trials made by the Board, for the purpose of ascertain-

ing the comparative practical efficiency of the present and Improved Revolvers, and also of

the improved 7 1/2 and 8 inch barrels, as compared with each other:

Ratio of Ratio ofPenetration Accuracy Weight

Old Model, 7 1/2 inch Barrel 1.000 1.000 4 lbs 2 oz.

Imp. Model, 7 1/2 inch Barrel 1.133 0.950 2 lbs 8 oz.

Imp. Model, 8 inch Barrel 1.333 1.050 2 lbs 8.5 oz.

The same kind cartridges, loaded in the same way, were used; the targets and dis-

tances were the same for all the firings by which these ratios were determined. It may be

proper to remark, that the circumstances attending the firing, for accuracy, were rather

more favorable for the old than the new model, the former having been fired with a

cloudy sky, and in a calm, while the latter was fired in a strong light, and with a smart

breeze across the line of fire.

To ascertain the strength of the New Model Pistols, the chambers of each were each

loaded with Government powder to their utmost capacity, so as to admit the insertion of

an elongated ball, which was rammed firmly over the charge. They were fired with these

proof charges, without any injury resulting. In order to ascertain whether any injury

might result from using, either accidently, [sic] or from necessity, the carbine cartridges

(for a different arm of the same calibre), in the new model pistols, they were loaded with

such cartridges and fired without any injury to the arms; the only difference being an

increased ratio of penetration. The arms were loaded and capped, and then loose powder

was scattered around the percussion caps, and also around the balls, when they were so

fired without producing any premature discharge, or communication of fire from one

chamber to another.

The results of all the examinations and trials by the Board, leave no doubt in their

minds of the decided advantages which Mr. Colt has gained for his pistol by the intro-

duction of his recent improvements. The superiority of Colt’s Revolvers, as an arm for

cavalry service, which has been so well established, is now finally confirmed by the pro-

duction of the new model with the eight inch barrel. There are a few minor points

requiring modification, to which the manufacturer’s notice has been called, and to which

he should be required to attend in any arms he may furnish for the Government use.

18

CHAPTER ONE

With these modifications, the Board are satisfied that the New Model Revolver, with the

eight inch barrel, will make the most superior cavalry arm we have ever had, and they

recommend the adoption of this New Model, and its issue to all the mounted troops.

The Board having concluded the duty to which it was ordered, adjourned “with-

out delay.”

J. E. Johnston, Acting Inspector General

W. H. Emory, Major First Cavalry

Wm. Maynadier, Captain of Ordnance

J. W. Davidson, Captain First Dragoons22

The Commission on Ordnance was in session for almost three months hearing testimony

regarding arms contracts and orders that had been approved during Cameron’s tenure. Samuel

Remington testified before the commission several times; statements made during his final

appearance before the commission are of particular interest:

Before the Commission, April 24, 1862

Mr. E. [sic] Remington appeared before the commission, and being examined under

oath, says: I am engaged in the manufacture of arms, rifles and revolvers. Our

revolvers are made after a patent; those heretofore delivered are upon Beals’ patent;

those we propose to make in the future are in accordance with Elliot’s patent. The

patented part in both cases, is the mode of releasing the cylinder from its position and

the plan of holding in the base pin or axle of cylinder.

I have examined the various revolvers now in use—our arm, the Savage, Starr, and

Colt’s, and as a mechanic familiar with the mode of such work as is required upon

these arms, I should say that the Colt’s and our own would cost about the same to

make, with equal economy in the management; and the same may be said of the

Savage and Starr. (The Savage and Starr would cost about the same.) As to the Colt’s

arm, we have examined it with care, and have decided that we could make it quite as

cheap or cheaper than our own; but we do not think the plan as good as ours. I have

not examined either of the others (Savage or Starr) with a view to compare the

amount of work, but have handled them frequently, and have formed the opinion

expressed upon my general knowledge and experience. I think that the difference of

cost between our own and Colt’s and the others (Savage and Starr) would not be far

from one dollar.

In regard to the actual cost of our revolver, I wish to state that we have to pay for

two patents. Our profits must therefore be proportionately larger in this, considering

the patents, than we would require on rifle or musket work. I will say that should we

be dealt with as others have been, receiving a large order for pistols, we would be glad

to make them at $12; I mean, by a large order, about 30,000 to 40,000. We can, if the

government wish it, turn out 200 to 250 per day by stopping the manufacture of navy

size. Knowing positively that we have a certain large number to make, we can do it at

the least cost.23

19

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

In his testimony, Remington referenced large revolver orders granted to other manufactur-

ers (read Colt), whereas his armory had been able to secure only an order for five thousand

revolvers. Between June 1, 1861, and April 15, 1862, sans contract, Colt delivered thirty-five thou-

sand revolvers to the department, at an average price of $25.00 per arm. After the commission’s

recommendations, Colt accepted a contract for these same revolvers at $14.50 each, and in

August 1862, the price was further reduced to $14.00.

Subsequent events will show that Samuel Remington was overly optimistic in his assessment

of the armory’s production capacity. However, his oral and written statements made singular

contributions in establishing fair market prices for small arms for the remainder of the war.

The chief of ordnance escaped unscathed by the commission’s investigations; however, dur-

ing a later congressional inquiry into the department’s early wartime practices, the Joint Select

Committee on Ordnance (39th and 40th Congress, 1867–68) found that “certain correspondence

between the Chief of Ordnance and his principal subordinates at arsenals and armories under

investigation had been destroyed under the pretense that the whole of such correspondence was

private and confidential.” It was further discovered that “for evident purposes of concealment,

the Chief of Ordnance kept no record in his office of any of these transactions, and that the cor-

respondence thus destroyed was the only written memoranda of the many official acts to which

it was related, and that these destroyed documents were in fact, in form, and in substance, offi-

cial documents, under which the public business at said armories and arsenals was influenced

and controlled.”24 The commission’s final report to Stanton and Samuel Remington’s testimony

before the commission are presented in appendix A.

After Stanton’s “General Order” of March 10, Ripley realized the disastrous consequences

this edict could have on his department’s efforts to arm Union troops and immediately took

steps to minimize the effects by requesting exemptions. Stanton granted Ripley’s request, and on

March 22, the Ordnance Department sent the following circular to all personnel involved in

arms inspections:

Circular

The following copy of a letter from this office to the Secretary of War, in relation to the

reception of arms, from certain Manufacturers, with the Secretary’s order thereon is com-

municated for your information and government in procuring.

Ordnance Office

Washington, March 15, 1862

Hon. E. M. Stanton

Secretary of War

The under mentioned are regular Manufacturers of arms for this Department, and I rec-

ommend that special authority, under your order of the 10th March 1862 be given for

receiving from them arms that may be presented, under existing orders to them, and as

may be prepared on inspection, for the next three months unless sooner revoked: viz, E. K.

Root, Colt’s Arms Co., Hartford, Conn., J. C. Palmer, Sharps Arms Co., Hartford, Conn.,

20

CHAPTER ONE

James T. Ames, Mass. Arms Co., Chicopee, Mass., Knapp Rudd & Co., Penn. Foundry,

Pittsburg, Pa., R. P. Parrott, West Point Foundry, Cold Spring, N.Y., A. Alger & Co.,

South Boston, Mass.

Respectfully &c.

(Signed) James W. Ripley, Brig. Gen.

War Department,

March 19th, 1862

The Chief of Ordnance is authorized to receive as within recommended such arms as may

be manufactured by the within named parties under existing orders approved by the

Secretary of War.

(Signed) P. H. Watson, Asst. Secy. of War

Respectfully &c., Jas. W. Ripley, Brig. Gen.25

Two days later on March 24, Ripley sent another inspection directive to Whiteley at the New

York Arsenal:

Sir,

The order of the 10th March, 1862 directing that no arms be hereafter purchased or

received without special authority from the Secretary of War, does not suspend the

inspection of arms of any kind, ready for delivery by parties making them under orders

or contract, but only their receipt.26

Remington was not included on the list of manufacturers that were authorized to maintain

deliveries. The firm continued to manufacture and soon had an excess of revolvers. In early

April, Remington contacted Hagner to inquire when the department would resume accepting

revolvers. Hagner, in turn, contacted Ripley with a request that the department be allowed to

receive their revolvers. Hagner’s request, with an affirmative endorsement, was forwarded up the

chain of command. Stanton granted Hagner’s request, and on April 15, Ripley immediately noti-

fied Crispin:

Sir,

You are authorized, until further orders, to receive from time to time, from Messrs

E. Remington & Sons such of their Navy revolvers as they may have ready to deliver under

existing orders. It may be well to add in the certificate you may give for the Revolvers,

that they are received under special authority of the Secretary of War of 15th April 1862.27

Remington was also advised of this decision on the same day:

Gentlemen,

I have to acknowledge the reference to me of your letter to Major Hagner of 4th, inst. &

to inform you that Capt. Crispin has been instructed to receive from time to time, until

21

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

further orders, such of your Navy Revolvers as you may have ready for delivery under

existing orders.28

Three days later, Crispin requested further instructions concerning the Remington

revolvers. Ripley replied on the twenty-second:

Sir,

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 18th inst. asking for instructions in relation to the

reception of Remington & Sons, Navy Revolvers, and in reply have to state that you are

authorized to receive from them such number as they may have ready for inspection.

When these are received the order given by Maj. Hagner will be considered as closed.

If after disposing of those to be thus received you should require further supplies of

these Revolvers, to issue an order from this office, you will procure them by open purchase,

on the best terms, reporting the facts in such case.29

Ripley anticipated the increased demands that would soon be placed on the department once

the new arms contracts were in place and took steps to ensure the rapid acceptance and delivery

of contract arms. On May 9, he sent the following letter to Thornton at Watervliet Arsenal:

Sir,

You are hereby designated as the Inspector of Contract Arms and Accouterments. As there

is already much business connected with this inspection service, which demands immedi-

ate attention, you will enter upon your duties forthwith. The duty will probably be very

onerous and demand your whole time, it will therefore be necessary to relieve you from

your present command, which will be done as soon as your successor is appointed.

The officers at present engaged on this duty will be instructed to furnish you with lists

of inspections of this nature, with which they are charged, to turn over to you all books

and papers connected with them, and to give you the information necessary to a full

understanding of their several duties in this particular.

You will obtain the services of such sub-inspectors as you may need, as has been usual

heretofore. The superintendent of the Springfield Armory will be notified of your assignment

to the inspection duty and requested to comply with your applications for such service.

While engaged on this duty you are directed to visit such places where arms and

accouterments are to be inspected as will enable you to carry out these instructions or

such as may hereafter sent you.30

Thornton responded on the eleventh and apparently expressed concerns about his new

duties. Ripley replied May 13:

Sir,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. The reception of my order

of the 11th inst. has probably corrected the erroneous impression created by my telegram of

22

CHAPTER ONE

the 10th inst. Your duties in the contract service will probably be of so responsible and

onerous a character, as to preclude the devotion of any of your time to other duties, and

you will therefore have no official connexion whatever with the Armory. In view of the

wide extent of your business, it is deemed a matter of importance that you should be sta-

tioned in as central a location as possible and Springfield or its vicinity will probably

afford the most conveniences for the discharge of the duty. It may be necessary however to

order you to this place in a few days, on duty connected with the proposals for small arms

to be opened at this office on the 16th inst., and shall then have the opportunity of

instructing you further on this subject.31

Thornton’s appointment as inspector of contract arms initiated a new concept for the

department. The inspection and acceptance of contract arms had previously been delegated to

several ordnance officers who were usually commanders of ordnance posts or arsenals based

near the contractors. These duties required the accepting officer to be absent from his regular

post for various periods of time, and such interruptions were proving to have a disruptive influ-

ence on the officer’s regular duties. Thornton’s appointment to this designated post would now

relieve him of all other duties, leaving him free to devote his full attention to supervise the

inspection and acceptance of arms for the department. Very few arms were actually inspected by

ordnance officers for the remainder of the war; this duty was relegated to civilian personnel

assigned from the Springfield Armory.

After the original suspension of revolver deliveries, Remington sold fifteen hundred Navies

to Tyler, Davidson & Company, who, in turn, sold them to the department. The date of this pur-

chase was not entered into the department’s ledgers until May 19. On the same day, Remington

advised Ripley:

With regards to the revolvers .44 & .36 Calibre we can now furnish with some 125 to 150

per day same as sample left at Ordnance Department. We expect to be able to substitute

the wrought iron frame in place of the present (malleable) in the course of sixty days or

sooner if possible. Our increased facilities are such as will enable us to double our present

product of revolvers.32

We shall see that the Remingtons were still overly optimistic about the amount of arms that

they could supply to the government. The department had evidently objected to the type of iron

Remington was using to manufacture revolver frames; Remington was assuring Ripley that

wrought iron would soon replace malleable iron.

Also on May 19, Ripley sent the following letter to Crispin:

Sir,

I send you today by mail some blank certificates of inspection, to be issued for all kinds of

Ordnance Stores except cannon and powder, for which special forms are provided. These

certificates will be exclusively used in all cases where stores are received on contracts or

orders covering prospective deliveries, whether given by this office or yourself for all that

23

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

class of arms which require inspection before being received by the Dept. They are

designed to supersede the use of Form No. 13 in all cases except for ordinary open

purchases in the market, and must be exclusively used for arms of all kinds even

when so purchased. Your attention is especially called to this matter.

Originals, duplicates and triplicates are sent, in filling up the certificates to

use one of each kind, and caution the party receiving them to retain the triplicate

only, sending the original and duplicate to this office.33

After the department received authority from Stanton to resume accepting

Remington’s production on April 15, Crispin again began receiving their revolvers. In

addition to taking those that had accumulated, he was now being offered recent produc-

tion. Crispin accepted revolvers until May 24, when he received the following orders from

Ripley, dated May 22:

Sir,

Major W. A. Thornton, Inspector of Contract arms, having been directed to take up

the inspection of all arms manufactured by Remington & Sons of Ilion, N.Y., you

will suspend all further inspections and receipt of their pistols. All these pistols will

be forwarded by Maj. Thornton to Maj. R. H. K. Whiteley, of N.Y. Arsenal, N.Y.34

Crispin received 3,050 Beals Navy and 850 Beals Army Revolvers from Remington in

the period from April 15 to May 24. Departmental ledgers list the delivery date of these

revolvers as March 31. This was an obvious error by bureau clerks, as authority to resume

receiving revolvers was not granted until April 15. Since Crispin had not received the new

certificates of inspection until after May 18, the logical date for this entry should be May

31. The 850 Beals Armies received by Crispin were the first produced and were the only

army-size revolvers delivered on the original order of July 29, 1861.

At this point I should address a fallacy that has been propagated for many years. In

Remington Handguns, Charles Lee Karr made an error in stating that one thousand

Remington Beals Army Revolvers had been purchased by the State of South Carolina in

1860.35 Unfortunately, this has been quoted in several publications, but as I have pointed

out, the Beals Army Revolver was not in production until 1862. Karr could not have con-

fused the Beals Navy with the Army, since the Navy was not in production until the spring

of 1861.

On June 4, the Herkimer Democrat reported the recent contract negotiations between

Remington and the government:

Ilion: The Remingtons, of Ilion have just concluded negotiations with the

Government at Washington, by which they have secured an additional contract

for the manufacture of rifles and pistols, to the amount in round numbers of

one million dollars. Great activity prevails in the work shops of the extensive

armory at Ilion.36

24

CHAPTER ONE

Once again, we see the press’s propensity for exaggeration. Had all four contracts awarded

to Remington (two for revolvers and two for rifles) been filled as specified, they would

have totaled only $630,000.

On June 14, one day after the new revolver contracts were executed, Remington con-

tacted Ripley about the navy revolvers that had been delivered to Crispin prior to the con-

tract date:

Sir,

We have the honor to hand you herewith Certificates of Inspection received from

Capt. Crispin for 100 Revolvers delivered in March last, also Certificates for 3,900

Revolvers since delivered, the price for which Capt. Crispin omits to mention in the

Certificates, as the instructions received by him when the order was given us to

resume the delivery of the Revolvers did not state the price and in the absence of

any definite instructions respecting the same, he does not feel at liberty to insert

the price.

It is, we presume, understood by the Department that the price of the arms,

delivered prior to the final suspension of the order (notice of which we received

from Capt. Crispin under date of 24th May), is to be the same as for those previ-

ously ordered.

If approved, please have the Certificates filled up accordingly. We shall be glad

to receive returns for the same, as early as practicable.37

Ripley responded to this on June 21:

Gentlemen,

Your letter of the 14th inst. including two sets of certificates is received. Your atten-

tion is called to the necessity of sending to this office the Original and Duplicate

Certificates. I enclose herewith the Triplicate for the 100 Navy revolvers received

prior to the 10th of March, 1862, for which please return the duplicate to this office

and this account can be settled.

A careful reading of the note on the 2nd page of the Certificate will prevent

such mistakes.

With regard to the Certificate for 3050 Navy Revolvers and 850 Army Revolvers,

purchased by Capt. Crispin under authority from this office dated April 15th, 1862,

Capt. Crispin has been directed to give you the price which he or Major Hagner had

agreed to pay for such articles prior to the General Order of the Secretary of War of

March 10th, 1862, those arms being considered as purchased in the open market at

their market value. I return herewith both Certificates for you to return with the

third to him. You will observe that you have sent the duplicate and triplicate.38

On this same day, Ripley again contacted Crispin, advising him of the price to be paid

for these revolvers:

25

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Sir,

Messrs. E. Remington have recently sent to this office your certificate No.—for 3050

Navy revolvers and 850 Army Revolvers purchased by you of them under authority

from this office dated April 15, 1862. It was understood that the pistols as purchased

were to be considered purchased on the open market at such prices as Maj. Hagner

and yourself had been paying prior to the order from the Secretary of War, dated

March 10th suspending all purchases. Messrs. R. and Sons have been directed to

return the certificates to you, and you will certify to this bill at such prices as under

similar circumstances you have paid for the pistol previously.39

The astute reader will have noticed that Remington was issued a certificate of inspec-

tion for these revolvers. I refer again to Ripley’s letter to Crispin of May 19. Ripley made

it very plain that a certificate of inspection was to be issued for small arms, regardless of

the type of purchase. To avoid confusion, I will elaborate further on my previous state-

ment that the revolvers delivered to Hagner and Crispin received no formal inspection. To

those readers familiar with the department’s arms inspection procedures during this era,

the term “formal inspection” will be no mystery. To those not so initiated, I shall explain.

Prior to the beginning of the Civil War and after the Owen-Holt Commission’s deci-

sions on arms contracts (many of which were awarded in the early days of June 1862), all

of the arms received by the department under contract received a rigorous inspection at

the individual manufacturer’s production facility. Assembled revolvers were submitted to

an ordnance inspector and his assistants. The arm was proofed (test fired), then com-

pletely disassembled, and then each component part inspected. As the major parts passed

inspection, they were stamped with the sub-inspector’s initial; a part that failed to pass

inspection was stamped with a large letter “C” to indicate that it was condemned (figure

26). If all of the parts passed inspection, the revolver was reassembled and the inspector

evidenced his acceptance of the arm by stamping his cartouche on the left grip (occasion-

ally, both grips bear cartouches; also occasionally, by the same inspector).

After the Civil War began and the department began ordering arms from several

sources, some of these normal inspection procedures were all but abandoned as the ord-

nance inspectors found themselves undermanned and overworked. We may never know

what type of inspection these Beals Navies received; they do not bear any inspection

marks. I therefore reiterate that the revolvers under discussion received no formal

inspection. It may be appropriate to state that I have examined some of the early Beals

revolvers that carry bogus cartouches, which have been applied to enhance the value of

the piece as a martial arm. In one classic case of overkill, I have observed a Beals Navy

with dual Ordnance Department cartouches, plus an anchor on the top of the barrel and

the letters “U.S.N.” stamped on the butt. The saddest part of all this fakery is that the

revolver has since been identified by serial number as one of those issued early in the

Civil War to Ohio troops.

This concludes the discussion of purchases of Remington revolvers ordered by the

Ordnance Department on July 29, 1861. Although the original order called for only 5,000

26

CHAPTER ONE

army revolvers, some 7,250 navy and 850 army revolvers were delivered. In addition to the

revolvers received from Remington, the department simultaneously purchased 4,586

Remington Navy Revolvers from commercial arms dealers for a total of 11,836 Beals

Model Navies.

In my examination of ordnance records of revolvers issued to Union troops, I found a

reference to Beals Navy Revolver, Serial No. 549. This indicates that the government was

acquiring the Beals revolvers shortly after their introduction.

I have examined the “Report of the Quartermaster General of the State of Ohio” for

1862 and find Remington Navy Revolvers recorded as follows:

Remington Navy Revolvers on hand Jan. 1st 455

Remington Navy Revolvers issued by U.S. 721

Remington Navy Revolvers purchased 600

These navy revolvers would have been Beals models with the possible exception of the

721 issued by the Ordnance Department. With a total production of approximately fifteen

thousand Beals Navies, well over thirteen thousand were purchased by the army, navy, or

state militias. After Remington completed the 1861 revolver orders, they immediately

focused on fulfilling their new contracts for five thousand navy and twenty thousand army

revolvers.

Sources other than the Ordnance Department files have been examined in my efforts

to verify early purchases of Remington Navy Revolvers. Most of these consist of figures

furnished to congressional investigating committees. These sources are not consistent

with the original records and, therefore, not reliable. I have used the department’s ledgers

to compile the Remington Navy Revolvers purchased by the Army Ordnance Department.

The contractor or sellers were listed in alphabetical order in the original ledgers. I have

taken the liberty of condensing these entries and arranging dealer purchases in chrono-

logical, rather than alphabetical, order. Also the deliveries of Remington have been sepa-

rated from those of commercial dealers. All of these revolvers were considered “open

market” purchases.

27

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE ARMY

Figure 26Condemned barrel.Marking has beenenhanced for clarity.(Author’s collection)

28 CH

APTER

ON

EOpen Market Purchases of Remington Revolvers by Ordnance Department, 1861–62

PURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department:

from whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

W. J. Syms & Brother 1861 Aug. 26 500 Remington Revolvers Contracta

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Aug. 26 50 Remington Navy Revolvers $16 00 $800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Aug. 28 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Aug. 31 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Sep. 3 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Sep. 6 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Sep. 9 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Sep. 14 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Oct. 14 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Cooper & Pond, New York 1861 Oct. 18 50 Beals Navy Pistols 16 50 825 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Nov. 7 50 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 00 800 00 Purchase

Tyler, Davidson & Co. 1861 Nov. 30 290 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 50 4,785 00 Purchase

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1861 Dec. 4 100 Remington Pistols 16 50 1,650 00 Purchase

Cooper & Pond, New York 1861 Dec. 10 50 Beals Navy Revolvers 16 50 825 00 Purchase

Tyler, Davidson & Co. 1861 Dec. 12 500 Beals Navy Pistols 22 50 11,250 00 Purchase

Cooper & Pond, New York 1861 Dec. 17 100 Beals Navy Revolvers 16 50 1,650 00 Purchase

29

REM

ING

TO

N N

AV

Y R

EVO

LVER

S P

UR

CH

ASED

BY T

HE A

RM

Y

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”aThis order submitted to the Owen-Holt Commission as a contract. Price paid is unknown. bThis number not confirmed. Ledger entry lists this purchase as 549 Beals

and Colt pistols. cTotal of 4,586 Beals Navy Revolvers purchased from commercial dealers. dUnit price reflects price of revolver and appendages. eFinal deliveries

on Ordnance Department’s order of July 29, 1861. Date of these entries was March 31, but this date was a clerical error. Authority to resume taking deliveries

was not granted until April 15. Correct date was May 31.

Palmer, Batchelders, Boston 1861 Dec. 31 100 Remington Navy Revolvers 18 50 1,850 00 Purchase

Tyler, Davidson & Co. 1861 Dec. 31 246 Beals Navy Revolvers 22 50 5,535 00 Purchaseb

Schuyler, Hartley, Graham 1862 Jan. 8 300 Remington Navy Revolvers 16 50 4,950 00 Purchase

Cooper & Pond, New York 1862 Jan. 10 400 Beals Navy Revolvers 16 50 6,600 00 Purchase

Tyler, Davidson & Co. 1862 May 19 1,500 Remington Pistols 16 61 24,915 00 Purchasec

E. Remington & Sons 1861 Aug. 17 300 Navy Revolvers 15 00 4,500 00 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1861 Oct. 5 400 Navy Revolvers 15 00 6,000 00 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1861 Oct. 12 400 Navy Revolvers 15 00 6,000 00 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1861 Dec. 18 500 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 7,518 40 Purchased

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Jan. 3 500 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 7,518 40 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Jan. 25 500 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 7,518 00 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Feb. 18 500 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 7,518 40 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Mar. 7 500 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 7,518 40 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Mar. 15 500 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 7,518 40 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Mar. 18 100 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 1,503 68 Purchase

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Mar. 31 3,050 Navy Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 45,862 24 Purchasee

E. Remington & Sons 1862 Mar. 31 850 Army Revolvers & Appendages 15 0368 12,781 28 Purchase

CHAPTER TWO

Remington’s First

Revolver Contracts

In this chapter I shall discuss Remington’s difficulties fulfilling the first two revolver contracts

awarded them by the Ordnance Department on June 13, 1862. The Remingtons would discover

that there was a world of difference between producing revolvers for the open market and deliv-

ering inspected revolvers to the government. The company had previous experience delivering

contract arms to the department, but this had occurred during peacetime and when the armory

was under the supervision of the senior Eliphalet.

After Ripley had relieved Crispin from accepting Remington revolvers on May 22, 1862, he also

notified Thornton on the same day of the company’s impending deliveries on the new contract:

Sir,

The Messrs. Remington & Sons of Ilion, N.Y. has been awarded a contract for Army

pistols in addition to what they are already making for this Dept. As the rapid delivery

of these pistols is of the utmost importance, you will take immediate measures to have the

inspection commenced at as early a day as possible. As fast as the arms are inspected they

will be forwarded to Maj. R. H. K. Whiteley, New York Arsenal.1

Ripley apparently concurred with Remington’s statements regarding their production capacity.

However, they would not deliver the first lot of contract army revolvers until early July and did

not make additional deliveries of the Navies until August 11.

Having accepted Remington’s bids, on May 31 the department sent the contracts to the firm

for signature:

Gentlemen,

I transmit a copy of the decision of the Commission on Contracts in reference to the orders

given you in July last for Revolvers and Rifles.

I also transmit herewith four lots of quadruplicate Contracts and Bonds to be

executed by you and these must be returned to this office within fifteen days from the

day this letter should reach you in the due course of mail. These Contracts are, one set

for 40,000 Rifle Muskets, one for 10,000 Harpers Ferry Rifles with sword bayonets, one for

20,000 Army revolvers and one for 5,000 Navy revolvers and are intended to embrace the

31

said orders of July 1861 as well as the arms awarded to you under your recent proposals

made in pursuance of the advertisement from this office of the 29th ultimo.

Please acknowledge the receipt of these papers.2

A careful study of the contract for navy revolvers (made by the chief of ordnance with

E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York, dated June 13, 1862) discloses that all five thousand

revolvers “will be in all respects identical with a pattern to be deposited by the party of the first

part and approved by the Chief of Ordnance, and are to interchange in all their parts.”

Subsequently, both Beals and Elliot models were delivered on this contract. The department

required one pattern arm to be deposited on these early contracts; on later arms contracts, it

required two. There is some evidence to suggest that Remington submitted as many as four pat-

tern revolvers to the chief of ordnance in preparation for these contracts and that he was not

only aware of, but also responsible for, the delivery of both Beals and Elliot models.

Remington responded on June 4:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication of 31st ult. with

accompanying contracts which will be duly executed and returned to you within the

time specified.3

Remington executed and returned the revolver contracts to Ripley, who signed them on June 13.

He then forwarded them to Stanton for his approval. There was a delay in returning the rifle

contracts, and these were not completed until August 11.

On June 2, Remington requested that the department furnish inspectors to start accepting

revolvers. In response, the commandant of the Springfield Armory dispatched Inspector C. G.

Curtis and a team of assistants to the Remington Armory. Curtis’s title was principal sub-inspec-

tor, and among his other duties, he stamped his cartouche (initials) into the left grip of each

revolver upon its acceptance (figure 27). On June 17, Remington wrote to Ripley concerning the

inspection procedures and also inquired about the appendages required for revolvers:

32

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 27CGC cartouche on left grip panel of BealsNavy Revolver. (Author’s collection)

Sir:

We are informed by Major Thornton (through Mr. Curtis, one of the Inspectors who is

now inspecting the Army Revolver) that he has no instructions from your Department

relative to inspection of the 5,000 Pistols 36/100 Calibre under our Contract. We now

have ready for inspection about 2,000 of that size and 1,000 of the Army, which can be

delivered agreeable to our Contract, if they can be inspected in time.

Will you also inform us as to the appendages for Revolvers? Our Contract calls for

the “usual appendages.” We have heretofore furnished with our Revolver one Bullet

Mould and one Wiper for each. Please mention the number and kind of appendages

to be furnished.4

Assistant Secretary of War P. H. Watson notified Ripley of the secretary’s approval on

June 24:

General,

Herewith enclosed I transmit to your Bureau two contracts, viz:

Burnside Rifle Co. for 5,000 Burnside Breechloading Carbines at $30. each.

E. Remington & Sons for 5,000 Navy Revolvers at $12. each.

These contracts are made on the recommendations of the Ordnance Commissioners,

the Hon. Joseph Holt and Hon. Robert Dale Owen after a full investigation, as substitutes

for the informal order for the purchase of the same arms, given to the same parties, by the

late Secretary of War, the Hon. Simon Cameron, have been approved by the Secretary of

War, as the best available means now remaining to protect the interests of the

Government.5

Ripley advised Remington of the approval on June 26:

Gentlemen:

One of the four contracts entered into by you for the manufacture of Arms for the U. States,

Viz: the one for 5,000 Navy Revolvers, having been returned to this office approved by the

Secretary of War. The original has been filed in the office of the 2nd Comptroller and the

duplicate is transmitted to be kept by you.

Maj. Thornton will be immediately informed of the Contract, that he may give the

necessary instructions for the inspections to be made under it.6

On the same day, Ripley also notified Thornton that the contract had been approved:

Sir,

A contract recently made with Messrs. E. Remington & Sons of Ilion N.Y. for the delivery

of 5000 Revolvers, Navy Size at $12. each has been approved by the Secretary of War; and

this notice is now given that you may take measures for the inspection of the Revolvers, in

advance of sending you a copy of the contract, which will be done in a few days.

33

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

34

CHAPTER TWO

The contract requires 2000 to be delivered in June, 1000 monthly afterwards. The

arms are to be provided with the regular appendages, and to be packed. Price of boxes to

be fixed by you.7

Having received no reply to their inquiry of June 17, Remington sent a telegram to Ripley on

June 25, again inquiring about appendages. Ripley responded on the same day:

Sirs:

In reply to your telegram of today I have to state that the following are the appendages

required for each box of fifty pistols.

Fifty Screwdrivers & cone Wrenches One for each.

Fifty extra Cones do.

Twenty five Bullet Moulds casting two balls ea 1/2 do.

One Bullet Mould casting six balls 1/50 do.8

The department had not required Remington to furnish six-cavity gang molds with prior

deliveries, and the company was evidently unfamiliar with this accoutrement. When they

brought this to Ripley’s attention, he advised them that gang molds would not be required. He

also notified Thornton on June 28:

Sir,

In receiving Army and Navy size pistols from the Messrs. Remington & Sons, the bullet

mould for Six balls will not be required with each box of fifty pistols at present, but the

right will be reserved to require these moulds at any future time when needed.9

After searching futilely for a Remington six-ball gang mold for over twenty-five years, I

had concluded that few, if any, had been delivered, even though the first two contracts for

army and navy revolvers had called for them. This recently discovered letter seems to explain

this anomaly.

Major Hagner had recently completed his duties as aide to the Owen-Holt Commission on

arms and arms contracts. His precommission assignment had been to locate and purchase arms

from open market sources. Now that the department had arms contracts in place and open mar-

ket purchases were prohibited, he was without a post. The department had recently appointed

Thornton to the post of inspector of contract arms and accouterments. When the department

began construction of new buildings at the Watervliet Arsenal, it had also appointed Thornton

to supervise this work, and these duties were consuming a large part of his time. To alleviate this

situation, Ripley proposed a personnel change to the secretary of war on June 28:

Sir:

The amount and importance of the duties connected with the inspection of contract arms

and accouterments require, for their proper performance, the entire time and exclusive

attention of an Officer of experience and ability.

These duties are now in charge of Major Thornton who is also in command of the

Arsenal of construction at West Troy. It is impossible for any officer to attend to both

duties properly, and I propose to assign the inspections to Major P. V. Hagner; with

directions to relieve Major Thornton, to receive from him all the books and papers, in

his possession, relating to inspections, with any information he may have relating to

them, and to take post at New York, a central position, whence he can visit readily, the

different places where arms and accouterments are to be inspected, and make suitable

arrangements to attending to inspections promptly, at each.

In view of the intimate knowledge Major Hagner has acquired from his association

with the Commission on Ordnance, of the state and condition of various contracts and

orders as finally determined, his appointment to the inspection service will secure their

execution more satisfactorily, both to the Government and to the contractors, as well

as the true interpretation of any questions that may arise concerning the obligations

of all parties.

I, therefore, respectfully request your sanction of the foregoing proposition.

Jas. W Ripley, Brig. Gen’l., Chief of Ordnance

Approved by Order of the Secretary of War

P. H. Watson, Asst. Secy. Of War10

There was some delay in getting this request approved. The personnel change was not executed

until the following month.

Near the end of June, Remington complained to Ripley that the inspectors were lax in their

duties by not inspecting revolvers as fast as possible. Ripley contacted Thornton on June 27, ask-

ing him to investigate:

Sir,

The Messrs. Remington & Sons report that they have several thousand pistols awaiting

inspection, and that the sub-inspectors do not keep up with the work. As these pistols are

greatly needed, it is of the utmost importance that the inspectors keep fully up to the

manufacturer. It is understood that the sub-inspectors now at Ilion, do not work as indus-

triously as the government has a right to expect, if this is the cause of the delay, you will

take the necessary steps to correct this, and if more inspectors are wanted you will detail

them at once, your attention is particularly called to this matter.11

In early July, Thornton investigated Remington’s allegations against the inspectors at the

Ilion Armory. He immediately made a detailed report to Ripley:

July 7th, 1862

Sir:

I have the honor to enclose Statements “A & B,” by C. G. Curtis and Mr. Remington’s

foreman, in answer to the charge of neglect of duty on the part of the sub-inspectors at

Mr. Remington’s Armory.

35

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

36

CHAPTER TWO

By these statements it will be seen, that Mr. Remington has no grounds for the charges

he made, that the sub-inspectors worked faithfully to obtain the Arms he has to make for

the United States, and that the delay was on the part of Mr. Remington in not producing

arms for the inspectors to examine. I will make the final inspection of Mr. Remington’s 650

Army pistols when I am advised that he has the packing boxes, and if I find the conditions

of things at his Armory as I have reason to believe they are, I will order the sub-inspectors

from his Armory until I have information that he can keep them faithfully to work. I will

not take for granted, that he can and will produce 100 pistols per day, and on his promises

assign inspectors to his Armory to be idle. I will require him to have the pistols to a certain

extent finished and then I will assign the same workmen to his Armory to secure the

pistols, and I can assure you that Mr. Remington’s pistols are well made. I will obtain

all he has with more dispatch than he has furnished the 650 Army size pistols.12

Thornton included the statements from Inspector Curtis and Remington’s pistol foreman,

R. R. Bennett, and made additional comments at the conclusion of each statement:

July 3d, 1862

Major W. A. Thornton

Sir:

I have the pleasure to inform you of the receipt of yours of July 1st in which is a copy

of a letter from General Ripley. I must state that had General Ripley been with the

inspectors, while they have been at Ilion, we could not have been more faithful to duty.

Mr. Remington spoke to me this morning and desired to know if I had heard from

Major Thornton in relation to a change in the inspection of pistols. He stated that he

had been in Washington and had seen General Ripley. That the General said that the

department was much in want of pistols and that he, Mr. Remington, thought I would

(that is the sub-inspector, Mr. Curtis) receive orders not to give the pistols the regular

inspection, because they were so much in want of them that they could not wait to go

through with an inspection.

I have ready for your inspection 650 of the Army pistols with all the appendages, and

I am waiting for the packing boxes to make the delivery, and I hope Messrs. Remington

will have the boxes made with dispatch. If I had more inspectors we could not turn out

the pistols any faster. The work is inspected as fast as it is furnished to us. I will send you

a statement from the foreman of the pistol department, on whom we have to depend for

the pistols to be made ready for inspection. He says the pistols were not made with the

expectation that the Government would have them inspected. He has a good deal to do to

get them ready for us. He cannot have more than one half the number reported to the

department ready for inspection.

I wish you would try and be with us in a few days at the final inspection of the 650

Army size revolvers.

Respectfully, I am Sir, Your Obt. Servant

C. G. Curtis, Principal Sub-Inspector13

37

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Thornton continued:

By the foregoing it will be seen that there has been no lack of faithfulness on the part

of the sub-inspectors, to inspect the pistols as fast as offered by Mr. Remington, but on the

contrary, the United States have just grounds as of complaints of the delay on the part of

Mr. Remington in furnishing the arms to inspect and in not providing packing boxes to

remove the arms which have been received by inspectors from his Armory.

Further, Mr. Remington is desirous of having his Navy size pistols received without

the usual and regular course of inspection. When the sub-inspectors have been a month

at his Armory, and they have obtained from him only 650 Army size pistols, and that

Mr. Remington has not the packing boxes made to remove the inspected pistols from

his Armory.

W. A. Thornton, Major of Ordnance14

Remington’s pistol foreman offered the following:

Ilion, N.Y.

July 3d, 1862

On hand and presented for inspection.

Navy pistols—1500

Army pistols—200

Of these Navy pistols about 500 are short barrels, and out of range, and other difficulties,

which unfit them for rigid inspection although they are serviceable pistols and shoot all

right. The Navy pistols were none of them made for Government use exclusively but were

made for trade sales, consequently they are not altogether interchangeable. Nearly all of

them were assembled before we expected to deliver the pistols on contract.

Nearly all of them are varnished stocks, and plated guards, and the work on them was

all finished before the contract was made. Of the Army pistols, a part of them are just

assembled and are supposed to be all right. The balance are retained in our hands and not

presented for inspection, as others like them which have been presented have been rejected.

Immediately after we made our statement and gave the number we could furnish

per week our engine gave out and caused a delay of a week or more, and then a mistake

in machining some of the work made it necessary to go over it again, and has kept us

doing comparatively nothing, and now we are only where we expected to be at the

time mentioned.

We can see no cause now why we cannot get out after this week from one hundred to

one hundred and twenty five per day. The boxes will be made in Utica at once, and will

be ready to receive the work next Tuesday in all probability.

R. R. Bennett

Foreman of Pistol Department15

Thornton’s closing statement read:

Watervliet Arsenal

July 5th, 1862

It will be seen by the foregoing Statements, that in place of thousands, as reported by

Mr. Remington, he can only offer 1500 of the Navy size Pistols for inspection, and of that

number 500 must be rejective, for the causes stated by Mr. Bennett, Remington’s foreman;

that the barrels are too short, that they do not range with the cylinders, and there are

other defects, which are evidently of importance or they would not be alluded to by him.

Further, Mr. Remington specified on the 2nd of June, when he requested the service

of Inspectors, that he would furnish from 100 to 150 pistols for inspectors per day. It now

appears that his machinery failed him, and by bad workmanship after he got his machin-

ery in order, he is now in the same position that he was on the 2nd of June: that is he has

not furnished the work he promised—that by the statement of his foreman, these pistols

are known to have short barrels, which do not range with the cylinders, besides other

defects; and in answer to which, I most respectfully recommend, that there should be

no departure from the regular inspection, for at best the Arms furnished by contracts

are poor enough.

W. A. Thornton, Major of Ordnance

Commanding Arsenal16

At the time these reports were submitted, Remington’s revolver manufacture was in transi-

tion from the Beals to the Elliot models. The fifteen hundred navy revolvers mentioned in

Bennett’s report were Beals Navy Models, assembled after the final deliveries in May and prior

to the June 13 contract. Bennett mentioned that the cylinders were out of range, that is, the

chambers of the cylinder were not aligned with the bore of the barrel. Remington seemed to

have had this problem throughout the war. In later navy inspection reports on New Model Navy

Revolvers, there were complaints about the alignment of the cylinder and the plunger of the

loading lever.

Shortly after Thornton forwarded the above reports to Ripley, he visited the Remington

Armory to personally supervise the final inspection of 750 army revolvers. Curtis joined the

38

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 28WAT cartouche on right grip panel ofBeals Army Revolver. (Author’s collection)

inspection, and these revolvers usually have two cartouches, Thornton’s on one grip and Curtis’s

on the other. I have noted exceptions, such as “CGC” on one or both grips, and in another

instance, “WC” on one grip and “WAT” on the other (figures 28, 29, 30). I have also observed sev-

eral of these revolvers with the 1861 barrel address. Those bearing Thornton’s cartouche are the

only Remington revolvers known to have been inspected by an ordnance officer, as opposed to

an ordnance sub-inspector. On finishing the inspection and returning to Watervliet Arsenal,

Thornton reported to Ripley on July 14:

Sir:

I have the honor to inform you, that on the 12th inst. I inspected 750 of Mr. Remington’s

Army Revolver Pistols, and I caused them to be forwarded to Major R. H. K. Whiteley,

Comdg. New York Arsenal.

While at his Armory, Mr. Remington informed me that he had upwards of 1500 Navy

Size pistols, which he offered for inspection.

He states that they were in kind and quality, the same in every respect as have been

received by inspectors in New York, by Majors Hagner and Crispin. He stated further

that the sub-inspectors have found an error in workmanship, which in his opinion did

not materially injure the pistols for service, and of course he was desirous to have the

pistols accepted.

The sub-inspectors informed me that they have proven about 500 of them, which is

the first action taken in the inspection. That when they commenced the verification of

the workmanship they found that the axis of the cylinder and the barrel are not in

continuation of each other, and that the bolt in passing from the former into the latter,

must be shaved or compressed on one side, as much as the bores of the two differ from

each in their true prolongations.

39

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 29Beals Army Revolver, serial number 1,842. CGC cartouche on left grip panel. (Author’s collection)

This error is so gross, and there is so many of them defective, that I have declined

their inspection. Owing to this circumstance and as Mr. Remington cannot for the present

keep more than three sub-inspectors faithfully employed, I have relieved the other

sub-inspectors from duty at his Armory.17

The navy revolvers referred to in Thornton’s report were Beals models, also mentioned in

Pistol Foreman Bennett’s report of July 3. Most of these were in the 13,500–15,500 serial number

range, and less than a third were eventually accepted by inspectors, which explains the scarcity

of inspected models. At approximately the same time that Thornton inspected the 750 army

revolvers, Remington began production of the Elliot model, also known to collectors as the

Model 1861 or Old Model, in both army and navy sizes (figures 31 and 32). The majority of navy

revolvers delivered under contract were Elliot models.

The first 850 Beals Army Revolvers assembled were delivered to Crispin in May, before

Remington received a contract, and were never formally inspected; the 750 inspected by

Thornton on July 12 were from the end of the Beals production. All available evidence suggests

that the Beals Army was in production for less than three months, that is, April–June 1862. The

author estimates total production of this model at approximately eighteen to nineteen hundred;

this figure would also include some transition revolvers.

On July 22, Ripley relieved Thornton of his inspection duties and assigned Hagner as his

replacement. Ripley advised Thornton as follows:

Sir,

Maj. P. V. Hagner has been assigned to duty as Inspector of Contract Arms and

Accouterments, and directed to relieve you from that duty. On his arrival at Watervliet

Arsenal for that purpose you will please turn over to him all the books, papers and other

40

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 30Martially inspected Beals Navy Revolver with CGC cartouche on left grip panel. (Author’s collection)

41

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

things in your possession, relating to the inspection service, and give him any information

you may have respecting it.18

Ripley informed Hagner of his new duties on the same day:

Sir,

You are hereby assigned to duty as Inspector of Contract Arms and Accouterments,

you will therefore proceed as soon as practicable to the Watervliet Arsenal and relieve

Maj. W. A. Thornton from that duty; receiving from him all the books and papers in his

possession, relating to such inspections, with any information he may have thereto. You

will then take post at New York City which will be your station while engaged on this

Figure 31Elliot First Variation Navy Revolver, serial number 15,867. (Author’s collection)

Figure 32Elliot First Variation Army Revolver, serial number 4,586. (Author’s collection)

duty, and make proper arrangements for attending the inspections at the different places

where arms and accouterments are made for this Dept. You will obtain the services

of such sub-inspectors as you may need by application to the Superintendent of the

Springfield Armory, who will be directed to comply therewith. While on this duty you

are directed to visit such places where arms or accouterments are to be inspected as will

enable you to carry out these instructions or such as may be hereafter sent to you.19

Also on July 22, Ripley advised Capt. Alexander B. Dyer, then the commanding officer of the

Springfield Armory, of this change of assignments:

Sir,

Maj. P. V. Hagner having been directed to relieve Maj. Thornton as Inspector of

Contract Arms and Accouterments, you will please comply with any application

which Maj. Hagner may make to you for sub-inspectors to assist him in this service.20

Hagner would serve as inspector of contract arms through 1863. In the final days of December

1863, Thornton would reassume this post.

On July 25, Ripley advised Remington that their contract for army revolvers had been approved:

Sir,

The Contract entered into by you for the manufacture and delivery of 20,000 Army size

Revolvers has this day been returned to this office duly approved by the Secretary of War

and the duplicate copy is returned to you.21

There was no change in inspection procedures under Hagner, and the second lot of five

hundred army revolvers was not accepted until August 2, with the first lot of five hundred

Navies being accepted on August 11. I attribute the delay in accepting the Navies to the

many faults found by Thornton during his July visit to Ilion. There is no available evidence

with which to verify the number of Beals Navies delivered in these lots; I place it at less

than five hundred.

After the second delivery of Navies on August 19, Remington realized that they were in

danger of forfeiture under their navy contract, which called for five thousand navy revolvers

to be delivered by the end of September. They requested an extension from the Ordnance

Department, which was forwarded to the secretary of war with Ripley’s affirmative endorse-

ment. After receiving Stanton’s approval, the department granted the extension, with the pro-

viso that the revolvers be delivered by year’s end.

In August 1862, Colt had refused to furnish revolvers to the navy for the same price as those

to the army. Capt. John A. Dahlgren, then chief of the navy’s Bureau of Ordnance, requested

Remington to submit a revolver for evaluation. Remington forwarded a Beals Navy Revolver,

serial number 14,741. In a companion letter, Remington advised Dahlgren, “Our engagements are

such that we could only give you at present about 1,000 of the navy size, (like sample).”22 I can

only assume that the one thousand Beals Navy Revolvers offered to the navy were those rejected

42

CHAPTER TWO

by the army. The necessity for Remington to seek a contract extension would seem to verify this;

otherwise, these revolvers would have been delivered to the army.

After Remington received the extension, deliveries of army and navy revolvers continued

steadily, and Curtis accepted the final lot of 701 Elliot Navies on December 22, 1862. Curtis placed

his “CGC” cartouche on almost all five thousand Remington Navies delivered to the Ordnance

Department under the contract of June 13, 1862. My survey of the serial numbers of both types

puts the quantities delivered at approximately 400–500 Beals and 4,500–4,600 Elliot models. The

serial number range of the navy revolvers delivered on this contract is 13,500–20,000.

The reason for qualifying my statement in regard to Curtis inspecting “almost all” five thou-

sand Navies is simple. Although I have never seen or heard of a Beals or Elliot Navy Revolver with

an authentic cartouche, other than Curtis’s, I am aware that such a specimen may exist. This may

have occurred when the principal sub-inspector became too ill to report for work, and his duties

were delegated to one of his subordinates. I have examined specimens of army revolvers that have

cartouches applied by inspectors other than the principal sub-inspector (figure 33).

There was one major change in design that occurred during the production of the Elliot

Navy and Army models (figure 34). Metal was removed from the frame where the breech of the

43

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 33Union cavalry man with Elliot ArmyRevolver. (Courtesy: Jay Huber)

barrel met the cylinder. This helped to reduce powder fouling between the cylinder and the

frame and exposed the barrel threads. This change is first observed in the late 16,000 serial num-

ber range on navy models, and in the mid-6,000 serial number range of the Armies. I estimate

the period of redesign to have been October–November 1862.

Hagner accepted deliveries of Remington revolvers in lots that usually consisted of five hun-

dred revolvers. After his acceptance, he shipped them to various arsenals where they were, in

turn, sent to fulfill requisitions from the field. Two letters from Ripley give a hint of some of the

difficulties facing the department in satisfying these requests:

Washington, Oct. 20, 1862

Maj. P. V. Hagner

Sir,

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 18th inst. in relation to Revolvers and Muskets,

contents of which have been duly noted. The first 1000 Colt’s revolvers you receive will

be sent by fast transportation to Maj. Callender at St. Louis Arsenal. The next 1000

Colt’s and the first 1000 Remington’s will be sent to New York Arsenal, and after these

the next 1000 Colt’s will be sent to Gen. Baker of Iowa, as you suggest. The 500

Pettingill Revolvers now on hand will be sent, as directed by telegraph, to St. Louis

Arsenal, to which you will also send the next 500 of the same kind, and the first 1000

Colt’s or Remington’s which you may receive after filling the order from New York

Arsenal and for Gen. Baker. If, pending the execution of these orders, you should receive

Starr revolvers sufficient to fill the order from Gen. Baker, send those to him and the

first named to the St. Louis Arsenal.

This will make the orders stated thus, to St. Louis Arsenal 1000 Colt’s, 1000

Remington’s & 1000 Pettingill revolvers. To New York Arsenal 1000 Colt’s & 1000

Remington’s. To Gen. Baker 1200 Colt’s or Starr revolvers.

44

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 34Elliot Second Variation Army Revolver. (Author’s collection)

Orders for the issue of the 2nd thousand Pettingill’s will be given when you report

them on hand. Report when any of the foregoing issues, not already covered are made,

that orders for supply may be given.

Washington, Oct. 20, 1862

Maj. F. D. Callender

U.S. Arsenal, St. Louis Mo.

Sir,

On the 14th inst. 1000 Army revolvers were ordered to be sent to you by Maj. P. V. Hagner

at New York, either Remington’s or Colt’s according to which was first received and Maj.

Hagner was also directed on the 20th inst. to send you 500 Pettingill pistols which he had

on hand. Genl. Rosecrans having telegraphed urgently for revolvers, you will keep these

1500 subject to such requisitions as he may make for troops in his command, which will be

honored accordingly, and reported to this office, that orders for supplies may be drawn to

cover them.23

Remington had started making plans to add another revolver manufactory in Utica, New

York, as early as February 1862. I have not discovered the reason for this expansion to another

community. All available evidence suggests it was necessary because of a shortage of available

labor in Ilion. The Utica Evening Telegraph reported on the construction of the manufactory on

October 18, 1862:

Manufactory for Army Pistols.

Remington & Sons Pistol Contract.

We visited yesterday the building formerly occupied by the Utica Screw Factory and

now metamorphosed into a manufactory for army pistols by Messrs. Remington &

Sons of Ilion, who have a contract for 25,000 rifled pistols. For two or three months

past, the necessary machinery has been in the process of manufacture, and setting up,

and now it is nearly ready for the manufacture of arms. When fairly in operation, the

pistols will be furnished at the rate of 100 a day, it taking 20 hours for each hundred.

To do this, it is necessary to employ two sets of skilled workmen, the whole number

150, and the most competent of Superintendents. The gentleman who has the manage-

ment of this immense establishment, is Mr. C. C. Plaisted, of the firm of Plaisted &

Whitehouse, who are sub-contractors under Remington & Sons. Mr. Plaisted has been

connected with the Ilion establishment, for about a year, coming to it from the

National Armory at Springfield, Mass. He is not only a theoretical, but a practical

mechanic and inventor. He invented much of the machinery of the Remington lock,

and pistol, and now he has invented and caused to be manufactured some of the most

important of the machinery to be used in the Utica establishment. In March last, the

tools for the manufacture of the Beal pistol, with the Elliot improvement, (such as the

present contract of 25,000 pistols calls for), were commenced, and since that time,

until now, a large number of workmen have been constantly employed making tools

45

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

46

CHAPTER TWO

and machinery for these pistols, and months will still be employed, before all is com-

pleted, so that not until about the 1st of January next, will the establishment be in

complete operation. Such delicate machinery so nicely adjusted, and such complicated

and finely finished tools, it would seem were never before made. As Mr. P. remarked,

the tools and machinery for watch and clock making, have no business to be men-

tioned in the same connection with tools for these pistols. We certainly never saw any

handsomer or better finished tools. Everything connected with pistol making, must be

constructed in unison with gauges of the utmost accuracy, and in fact so well are

means adapted to ends in the tools and machinery in question, that with their aid,

“wooden men” could almost make pistols.

To get a proper understanding of the operations of the concern, the inquirer

should enter upon the ground floor, with Mr. Church, the competent financial and

business manager, who would conduct him first to the engine room, where the fine,

large, and powerful engine of 60 horsepower is at work, and there admire the silence

and precision with which it furnishes motive power for the complex operations of the

manufactory. He would then proceed to the large room where the forged work is

turned out. This room you would be told is supervised by Mr. Billings, of Billings and

West, subcontractors for the forged part of the labor. Here would be seen forges of

improved construction, an immense trip hammer and two massive Compound Drops,

which tower far up in the air, not unlike pile drivers. These drops are used for forging

the frames of the pistols, and each of them have four distinct drops, or drivers, which,

by the operations of machinery, let fall with the crushing weight of 620 pounds, drops,

in which the steel faced dies, fall upon other dies, which together, mould the shapeless

mass of steel wrought iron, into the necessary form for the frame of the pistol. These

frames, before being fully formed, pass under four of these drops. Then in another

part of the room, will be seen a spring drop, in which the springs are fashioned. These

are the principal operations of this shop. You then pass through still further to the

rear, the Stocking room, where the wooden stock is made, then the Polishing and

Blueing room, and then you retrace your steps and enter the machine shop, where the

tool making and repairing is done.

From this shop the second story is reached, where is the Barrel and Frame room,

in which the barrel is bored, shaped, rifled, and finished, and where the frame also

receives the finishing touches. To perform these diverse and delicate operations, a

great variety of complex machinery is requisite, which it would take hours to describe.

The barrel goes from one to another, through seven different kinds of machines, of

which the Rifling machine is most curious and complicated. The process of rifling

with this machine was invented by Mr. Plaisted, and the machine itself was made by

Mr. P. C. Curtis, of this city. By it, four barrels are rifled at the same time, it is a very

curious and beautiful machine. But we cannot dwell longer in this story, as there are

yet two above it.

We enter the third story, where the Cylinder is made, and the bullet and the inside

work of the pistol is performed. Here is also found very curious machinery for boring,

and otherwise finishing, the chambers of the cylinder, and other inside parts of the

economy of the pistol.

In the fourth and last story, are found the Filing room, the Assembling room, and

the Inspecting room, where the Government Inspector narrowly and critically exam-

ines every part and parcel of the pistol, and where, after this process is gone through

with, the pistol passes examination. If it does, it is packed and forwarded to the

Government arsenals. In the “Assembling” room, the different pieces composing the

pistol, from the frame to the minutest spring and screw, are brought, or assembled,

and the pistol is put together, ready for the Inspector.

We have thus been from cellar to garret of this immense establishment, and yet have

given but a feeble idea of the modus operandi of pistol making. To properly appreciate

the various processes, the building should be visited, and hours spent therein; then the

magnitude and nicety of the operation would be more plainly discernable.

We are glad this manufactory has been located among us, as it will prove of

invaluable benefit to our city, and after the present contract is completed, it will

doubtless be continued for similar operations. It brings among us a large number of

workmen, and it will add to the material prosperity of the city. It is an old saying, that

“it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good,” and it is proved true in this case; for,

although the war is an “ill wind,” it blows some good to us, in the shape of this and

other contracts, by means of which money is brought to our doors.

We hope that Remington & Son will reap substantial benefits from this pistol con-

tract, and we heartily thank them, in behalf of our whole people, for allowing us to

share with them in the benefits to be derived.

Fortunately for us, the reporter who filed this story seems to have been fascinated by

machinery, and he gives us an excellent picture of the operations at the Utica plant. The account

implies that revolvers were in partial production at the time of his visit and that the facility was

expected to be in full production by the first of 1863.

I have no way of verifying when the Utica Armory actually went on line, delivering revolvers

to ordnance inspectors. Subsequent events were to prove that this armory would not be able to

turn out the number of revolvers expected during the first few months of operation. The depart-

ment’s records reveal that the highest number of revolvers delivered in any one month in 1862

was twenty-two hundred. Deliveries during the first six months of 1863 averaged twenty-five

hundred per month; in the final six months of 1863, the average per month was three thousand.

Production increased month by month, and during the first three months of 1865, Remington

delivered twenty thousand revolvers. These figures do not reflect the entire production, as the

reject rate was very high. It should also be emphasized that all of the delivery figures were the

combined production of both the Ilion and Utica armories.

These combined deliveries raised some questions that I have pondered, and I have to admit

that they still perplex me. Were separate serial number ranges assigned to each armory? It would

seem that this would be the only solution to keeping records of production at each facility. Were

separate teams of inspectors assigned to each? Both of these are valid questions that deserve

47

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

answers. Perhaps the future will disclose documentation to shed more light on these subjects; for

the present, I can only respond that I do not know.

The expansion of revolver manufacturing to Utica also raises other questions concerning

production activities at Remington’s Ilion Armory during the war. In 1861 Remington received

an order for ten thousand Harpers Ferry Rifles but made no deliveries on it. The order was

duplicated in the contract for ten thousand Harpers Ferry Rifles in August 1862, but no deliver-

ies were made until March 1863. The department granted two extensions, but the company had

delivered only seventy-five hundred rifles when the contract expired in December 1863.

On December 13, 1863, the department awarded the firm a new contract for the deficit

twenty-five hundred rifles. On the following day, the department also allowed them a new con-

tract for forty thousand rifled muskets. This latter contract replaced a similar one Remington had

received in August 1862, which had been abrogated because Remington had made no deliveries.

Remington made final delivery of the twenty-five hundred Harpers Ferry Rifles in January 1864

but made no deliveries on the rifled musket contract until May 1864. This latter contract expired

on December 31, 1864, but once again, the War Department granted an extension. By war’s end,

Remington had delivered only seventeen thousand muskets, but the department allowed

Remington to continue deliveries through March 1866, when the contract was finally fulfilled.

While pursuing ordnance inspectors’ reports in the National Archives, I was fortunate to

find one tidbit of information that could possibly explain the seeming lack of production at the

Ilion Armory during the war. The inspectors’ reports have not been located, but the Register of

Inspectors’ Reports had a terse one-line entry dated May 27, 1864, that stated simply: “Col.

Thornton states the facts of the case in proving Ballard Carbine barrels at the Ilion works.”24

This would imply that Remington had manufactured the Ballard barrels. Quite frankly, I had

questioned the sparse production at Ilion during the Civil War but had never suspected that

Remington had been the subcontractor for barrels for other ordnance contractors. In hindsight,

this seems perfectly logical. Prior to the war, Remington’s main arms production had consisted

of rifle barrels; they had, in fact, introduced cast steel barrels to the American arms trade in the

mid-1840s. Further research may reveal that other makers of Civil War small arms relied on

Remington as a subcontractor to manufacture their barrels.

In the latter part of 1862, the department received adverse reports from field officers, which

prompted Remington to redesign their revolvers a second time. Ripley forwarded one such

report to Hagner on October 28. Although this report mentions Beals revolvers, later complaints

concerned the Elliot models:

Headquarters, Anderson Calvary

Camp Alabama, Carlisle Penna.

October 23, 1862

It having become necessary to call a board of Officers for the purpose of examining the

arms issued to the Anderson Cavalry (160th Reg’t., Penna. Vol.), Capt. Alfred Vezin, Co. C.,

Capt. Braden Hurst, Co. H. and Lieut. John J. Jackson, Co. E. respectfully submit the fol-

lowing report.

The carbines which are of Sharps pattern are found to be perfect.

48

CHAPTER TWO

The pistols, Beals patent, manufactured by the Remington’s in Ilion N.Y. are useless

and unsafe weapons.

1st: There being no safety notch, as in the Colt pattern, the hammer rests on the cap,

when the pistol is loaded, causing the pistol to be liable to be accidentally discharged.

2nd: The rammer is so short, that it will not drive the cartridges home, and the

adjustment is so poor, that it has to be guided in many cases, by the fingers. Some of the

rammers are too large so that the pistol cannot be loaded at all.

3rd: The locks on some of the pistols were broken, or out of order when received.

Although but few rounds have as yet been fired from them, the number of broken locks

has largely increased. Many of the hammers cannot be raised, and in some cases the

triggers have no effect on the hammer after the piece is cocked.

4th: The cones or nipples were so poor, that a number of them were broken when the

pieces were fired.

5th: Some of the cylinders will not revolve and others again can be turned either way

when the piece is cocked.

The sabres are of an ordinary kind, and will not compare with those made by the

Ames Manufactory at Chicopee Falls, Mass.

1st: The steel of which the blade is made is good, but some of the blades are cracked.

2nd: The grips are poor, being badly shaped, and too short. The brass wire on the

grips, has, in many cases worked loose. Some of the grips have already come off the Sabres.

3rd: The scabbards are badly made. In finishing them, they have been filed down to

obliterate the marks made by the hammer in forging. The metal of some of the scabbards

has become so thin by this operation that the sabres have pierced them.

The sabre belts are not uniform, some being made of Buffalo and others of common

leather. A large number of those made of Buffalo leather are old ones, having been

re-issued, and are constantly needing repairs.

We would therefore recommend, that our pistols and sabres be returned, and that we

receive in exchange, Colt’s revolvers and Ames’ sabres or weapons of a similar pattern,

also that the second hand belts issued to us be exchanged for new ones.

Respectfully Submitted

Alfred Vezin, Capt. Co. C.

Braden Hurst, Capt. Co. H.

John W. Jackson, 1st. Lieut. Co. E.25

A short time after receiving this report, Hagner sent the following inquiry to Ripley.

General,

Please inform me whether the Remington Revolvers complained of by Board of Survey of

“Andersons Cavalry” were of Army or Navy size, also who was the Maker of the Sabers?26

Hagner forwarded this report to Remington, via Inspector Curtis, for their comments. A

short time later the company sent the following letter to Hagner. Remington did not date

49

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

their rebuttal, but allowing time for the exchange of correspondence, I estimate the date as

mid-November:

Sir,

Mr. C. G. Curtis, Sub-inspector at this Armory has handed us a report made by a Board

of Officers of the 160th Regt., Pa. Vol. on our pistols, also your letter to him accompanying

the Report, with a request that we reply to same.

Before taking up the objections as set forth in the report (numbered 1 to 5 inclusive),

we would respectfully state that this is the first instance (brought to our notice) of any

complaint respecting our pistols, on any of the points named in this Report, either on the

part of Officers in the service who are using them, or by individuals to whom we have

sold many thousands.

From the character and tenor of the report we are forced to believe the same to have

emanated from other than disinterested persons, and for other than pure motives.

The form and construction of our Pistol in most of the points complained of are

essentially the same as in the Colt Arms and if properly made (as we believe them to be),

are no more liable to fail or become deranged in the one than in the other. Besides, the

pistols pronounced by this board as “useless and unsafe weapons” have all been proved

and subjected, (we think) to a rigid inspection on the part of your inspectors here, and

had we been disposed to offer for inspection, work of inferior quality as represented in

this Report, we do but simple justice to your Inspectors to say that they would never

have received or passed such work.

The only modification of the pistol as now constructed which we would deem advis-

able to make, (save the notch in the cylinder) would be to give a little more room for the

Cartridge or Ball when inserted in the chamber of the cylinder, to pass under the frame.

This is not essential however, as the cartridge is readily inserted and as readily driven

home, (without the aid of the fingers to guide the same, as represented in this Report).

We will now consider the objections in detail as set forth in this Report.

1st: “There being no safety notch as in the Colt pattern the hammer rests on the Cap,

when the pistol is loaded, causing the pistol to be liable to be accidentally discharged.”

In regard to this we would say the sample pistol or model furnished the Department

has no notch in the Cylinder and we have never placed it in those of our make not

considering it very essential. The fluted cylinder as shown in the sample pistol or model

deposited by us at the Ordnance Department, entirely supersedes the necessity for a notch

for the hammer to rest in, as it is held securely by the groove in place of the notch. The

notch however can be readily made hereafter in the cylinders if you so desire it, without

any additional expense, and with but little delay.

2nd: “The rammer is so short that it will not drive the cartridge home, and the

adjustment is so poor that it has to be guided in many cases by the fingers. Some of the

rammers are too large so the pistol cannot be loaded at all.”

We cannot understand what is meant to be conveyed by saying “the rammer is so

short it will not drive the cartridge home.” If it is intended to convey the impression that

50

CHAPTER TWO

the Cartridge is not rammed down sufficiently to ensure certainty of fire or that the

penetration is deficient in consequence thereof; we have only to say that the report is

incorrect on both these points. The rammer is of sufficient length to drive home the service

charge, (or even Colt’s Cartridge) which we believe is less than the service charge, so as to

secure the greatest degree of penetration and certainty of fire. (See letter of Mr. Curtis

touching this point).

The other portion of the complaint under this head we cannot credit, as we know that

no rammer has been put into a pistol, that would not enter the cylinder. The form and

construction of the pistol would not permit and further, were it possible that any such

should have been offered by us, your inspectors could not possibly have overlooked a fault,

so apparent.

3rd: “The locks on some of the pistols were broken or out of order when received

although but few rounds have yet been fired from them, the number of broken locks has

largely increased, many of the hammers cannot be raised and in some cases the triggers

have no effect on the hammers after the piece is cocked.”

We would not deny that the locks in our pistols (as in every other) may sometimes

be broken or deranged by repeated firing, that they are more liable to fail in this respect

than others we cannot believe. The parts in question are essentially the same in our pistol

as in Colt’s. We believe them to have been well made, and faithfully examined in detail

by your Inspectors. That any of them were broken when received, we cannot for a moment

credit unless the pistols had been used or injured before they were received by the Officers

who made this Report.

4th: “The Cones or Nipples were so poor that a number were broken when the pieces

were fired.”

We can only say so far as this charge is concerned, that we believe the cones made at

our Armory are equal to any made elsewhere and that all cones put in our pistols for

Government Service were duly inspected by Government Inspectors and that we cannot

believe they are more liable to break than in Colt’s pistol, as the hammer does not strike

full upon the cone, but against the shoulder of the frame.

5th: “Some of the Cylinders will not revolve and others again can be turned either

way when the piece is full cocked.”

In this case as in some others there is no essential difference in the form or construc-

tion of the pawl or bolt, (which are the only parts acting on the cylinder), and they

operate on the same cylinder, preventing it from revolving or not depending on their

condition. If as they say, some of the cylinders will not revolve while others will revolve

both ways, it is simply because one or both the spring of the pawl and the spring of the

bolt are broken. This is a difficulty that seldom occurs. We will again remark that these

parts are in detail inspected and tested, and we have no reason to doubt that the Board

could find cause for similar complaint, (if they so desired) with reference to Colt’s or any

other revolver having similar parts. Before closing this report, permit us to ask at your

hands, a trial of our pistol with Colt’s or any other in case you have doubts as to the

efficiency and durability of the whole or any part of the pistol. We present herewith

51

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

samples of the pistols together with component parts of the same. These parts are alike in

all of our pistols and the same as we have furnished the Government, and we believe will

be found as serviceable and as durable as those received from any other source. Hoping

the subject may receive your careful attention in making up your report.27

I suspect, but have not been able to verify, that the revolvers mentioned in the report from

Camp Alabama were Beals Navies received by the Ordnance Department prior to the contracts

of June 13 and therefore had not been subjected to a formal inspection. Unfortunately, I have

been unable to locate the report of Inspector Curtis mentioned in Remington’s letter.

An interesting aside in Remington’s rebuttal was the mention of a sample revolver deposited

at the department that featured a fluted cylinder. This variation was evidently rejected by the

department and never reached the production line. A Beals Navy Revolver recently surfaced that

could very well be the sample to which Remington referred (figure 35). This specimen, serial

number 11,352, is in somewhat less than good condition, all metal surfaces being deeply pitted.

The matching condition of the fluted cylinder would seem to authenticate its originality.

On November 26, Ripley again contacted Hagner with further complaints; these concerned

the Remington Elliot model revolvers:

Sir,

Since I informed you on the 28 ult., the proceeding of a Board of Survey, held on arms

issued to the 160 Regt. Penn. Vols. particularly as regards Remington Revolvers, further

complaints have reached this office, from Col. J. Irwin Gregg, 16 Pa. Cavalry at Camp

McClellan, Harrisburg, Pa. in relation to Remington Revolvers.

In view of these complaints, I desire that you will proceed to Harrisburg and

Carlisle and make a personal inspection of the arms complained of, and report the

results to this office.

I transmit herewith, all the papers on the subject, which please return with

your report.28

As directed, Hagner made his inspection and reported to Ripley.

Office of Inspector of Contract Arms

New York, Dec. 3rd, 1862

General,

I have the honor to report my actions from Harrisburg, where I went in compliance

with your instructions of the 26th and 27th of Nov.

I find that the equipments referred to were sent to Gov. Curtain’s address and

were transferred from the State Arsenal to Camp McClellan by A. Q. M. Wilson

stationed at Harrisburg.

2150 sets were subsequently turned over by Lt. M. Knight of the 16th Pa. Cavalry.

to Lt. Bean of the 17th Pa. Cavalry with the statement that they were “Condemned by

Col. Gregg.” I found the greater portion piled up without cover at the Camp and about

52

CHAPTER TWO

100 boxes in the Q. M’s Store House in Harrisburg—Lt. Bean having been ordered by

Col. Kellogg to turn them in.

The Equipments are marked “Sets of Ranger Equipments,” and although marked

as being sent from Saint Louis, Watervliet and Frankford Arsenals were all made by

Wilstach & Co. of Phila. or Sproulls Meecham & Co. of New York. and probably procured

under your orders to me of last year to purchase this kind of Equipment.

I found that some of Wilstach’s Stamp, were made up with the Tree formerly at

Frankford Arsenal, (received by the Ordnance from the Quartermaster’s Department when

the supply of the Cavalry was turned over to Ordnance and) styled, the “Ringgold Tree.”

There cannot be many of these—They are iron bound, with high cantle and not

covered with rawhide, but merely varnished. All the other Trees are within (nearly) of

the McClellan pattern, or of the Texas pattern—all are covered with rawhide and all

(including the Ringgold) are fitted up like the McClellan, having uniform saddlebags

&c—and packed with all the prescribed additional items. The surcingles are of mixed

colored webbing, but otherwise like pattern. Halters, stirrups, back-straps are all as

prescribed. I consider these Equipments as perfectly serviceable, and that there is no

reason for condemning them.

The Colonel of the 18th Regt. Pa. Vol. not yet supplied, will need 1000 sets, and

Col. Kellogg has ordered that number to be issued to him. I recommend that all should

be of the rawhide covered Tree—and that the balance should be removed to the

Quartermaster’s tin storehouse. Captain Wilson promised that this would be done at

once. Ought they not be removed from Harrisburg and put into service or returned to

an Arsenal where they can be properly cared for?

I examined the 813 Remington Revolvers, opening every box and having every pistol

carefully examined except in a few boxes evidently untouched since their inspection.

Not one pistol was broken, or out of order, except one cone removed from one. In the

inspection 2 mainsprings broke, and the combs of 2 hammers flew off—the weather being

53

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 35Beals Navy Revolver with fluted cylinder, serial number 11,352. (Author’s photograph)

cold and the boxes unsheltered. I discovered however the cause for the complaint and

there is cause for it, although it is removed at once as soon as it is explained.

The Remingtons have followed two plans of securing the Cylinder Bolts—in the

first used (Beales [sic]) the head of the bolt is square on top and is secured by the

ramrod fitting above it when the ramrod is in its place, at rest. The Bolt cannot

move until the Ramrod is loosened from its spring and lowered. The other plan

(Elliots) has been introduced as an improvement and at considerable additional

cost—it permits the Bolt to be moved and the cylinder to be taken out without

touching the Ramrod—a slight spring bearing in a notch in the bolt is intended to

keep it usually in place, but to be overcome by a moderate pull. If the Bolt is in

place, both kinds of pistols work well, and are in good order, as I found them—if the

bolt is partly raised, the hammer will not revolver the cylinder, but sticks fast at

half cock, because the pawl does not fall into its proper notch. In the “Beale” [sic]

pattern there is no risk, because no one would pull the trigger with the Ramrod

unfastened, but in the other the bolt may have slipped, or have been pulled out a

little, and escape unnoticed—and this was no doubt the case with those examined

by the officers at Carlisle & Harrisburg.

As soon as attention is drawn to it, the correction is immediate. I do not know

that Messrs. Remington had any authority to change, or indeed, whether their present

sample is not of the Elliot’s pattern, but it is evident that they should return at once

to the other, and I recommend that I be authorized to require it. Col. Kellogg was

54

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 36Corporal Nailer, 13th PennsylvaniaCavalry. He appears to have a Remingtonrevolver tucked into his belt. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

present at the Inspection and understands the trouble and is perfectly satisfied to

receive them for his regiment. They are therefore in his charge.

I applied to the Adjt.[sic] General of the State to know about the Anderson Cavalry,

but was informed that it had been ordered away. I then telegraphed Capt. Hastings asking

if any pistols remained at Carlisle, but received no reply up to the time of departure of the

train. As the cause of the trouble is now certain and no corrections could be made by

visiting Carlisle (even if there be any pistols there) I thought it best to return from the

Inspection to our duties.29

The revolvers referred to in this report had been issued to the 16th Regiment, Pennsylvania

Volunteer Cavalry (figure 36).

In a reply dated three days later, Ripley explained why the department had adopted the

Elliot system.

Dec. 6, 1862

Sir,

In answer to your letter of Dec. 3, I have to say that Messrs. Remington & Sons were

authorized to adopt the “Elliott” [sic] patent as the sample, as it was supposed to be bet-

ter and more convenient, if you are satisfied however, that the “Beal” patent is the better

and safer model, you are authorized to direct them to return to that pattern. Please send

to this office samples of all the contract arms that you are inspecting except the contract

Springfield rifle musket.30

This was the beginning of the end for the Elliot model. Hagner’s concerns about the design

were well justified. The Elliot patent had seemed to be the perfect model when the department

selected it from the pattern revolvers submitted by Remington. In the field, however, many of

these revolvers developed a disturbing fault. When some of the revolvers were fired, the arbor

pin would work forward from the recoil. If this went unnoticed by the user, the action would

lock up. I have examined many of the Elliot models, paying particular attention to the mechan-

ics of Elliot’s patent. On many I have found the small spring that was designed to retain the

arbor pin in place missing. On others, the spring did not provide sufficient tension to adequately

secure the pin (figure 37). Many, however, still function perfectly.

55

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 37Cylinder arbor retaining spring on an ElliotNavy Revolver. (Author’s collection)

56

CHAPTER TWO

I have duplicated the conditions described in Hagner’s report and found the true cause for

the action locking up. When the rear end of the arbor pin is not seated in the frame, cocking the

hammer exerts pressure through the pawl to the rear of the cylinder, raising the rear of the cylin-

der enough that the front of the cylinder binds on the forward face of the barrel. I found this to

be true of any of the Remington models, although the chances of this occurring are remote on

the Beals or New Models.

Hagner seems to have had no difficulty in convincing Remington management to revert to

the Beals system, but many parts for the Elliot models were already in the works. The company

adopted a simple solution to make use of these parts. A small fillister screw was threaded into

the arbor channel of the loading lever; this secured the arbor pin in position (figure 38). In order

to slide the arbor pin forward, the loading lever now had to be lowered. When the stock of Elliot

arbor pins was exhausted, Remington still had some Elliot loading levers on hand. These were

adapted for use with the New Model arbor pins by milling off the rails at the top rear of the lever.

These temporary solutions satisfied the ordnance inspectors and allowed Remington to use

these parts to their advantage with very little additional expense (figure 39). Once the Elliot parts

were exhausted, newly designed parts were adopted to once again employ the system that had

been so successful on the Beals models.

Figure 38Top of Elliot loading lever with fillister screw installed in channel. (Author’s collection)

Figure 39Elliot–New Model Navy Transition Revolver. Note the New Model cylinder arbor and the Elliot loadinglever. (Author’s collection)

Hagner’s recommendations did not end with the lever and arbor system. Safety notches

were soon a standard feature on all the cylinders of army and navy revolvers, and the hammers

were redesigned to avoid the breakage of the fragile high spur that had been a feature of the Beals

and Elliot models. The lower spur of the newly designed hammer could better withstand a blow

if the revolver was accidentally dropped. These changes in design took place during

January–March 1863. In this period of transition, Remington also used barrels remaining from

Elliot production bearing the 1861 patent date. The revolver that evolved from these design

changes was basically the pattern used for the remainder of production (figures 40 and 41).

During this transition period, it was realized that the original method of retaining the arbor

pin in the Beals models had not been protected by patent. Samuel Remington took steps to cor-

rect this oversight by making the appropriate application and was issued patent number 37,921

on March 17, 1863 (figure 42). This date is not found in the barrel address of the New Model

Revolvers manufactured during the Civil War but is seen on some of the Remington New Model

Navy, Belt, Police, and Pocket Model revolvers manufactured after the war. In his patent,

Remington also described a set screw that also served to lock the arbor pin in place, but this fea-

ture was never utilized.

Once the initial improvements were in place, Remington designated the revolver as their

“New Model” and eventually added these words to the barrel address. These improvements came

too late to be included on any of the navy revolvers received by the department, as their final

57

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 40From left to right, an early Bealscylinder, a late Beals cylinder, anda New Model cylinder. Note smallarbor hole on cylinder on left.(Author’s collection)

58

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 41New Model hammer on left, Bealson right. (Author’s collection)

Figure 42Samuel Remington’s patent,number 37,921. (Courtesy: U.S.Patent and Trademark Office)

delivery was in December 1862. Near the end of 1863, there was one more change; this was a new

front sight, also adopted at the department’s insistence (figures 43 and 44).

The year of 1863 began with Remington facing many problems. In addition to redesigning

their revolvers to satisfy the ordnance inspectors, there were deficits in deliveries on their con-

tract of June 13, 1862, for twenty thousand army revolvers. This contract had specified that one

thousand revolvers be delivered in June, two thousand each in July and August, one thousand in

September, and three thousand per month thereafter until the contract was completed. By the

end of 1862, Remington had delivered only fifty-one hundred army revolvers; this was far below

the original estimates given to the department. When the final delivery of navy revolvers was

made on December 22, Remington cut production of navy models to approximately five hun-

dred a month, producing only enough to satisfy orders from the navy’s Bureau of Ordnance.

Remington was able to increase production of the army model by using labor and machinery

formerly used for Navies, and with the limited output from Utica, delivered twenty-five hundred

in January 1863 (figure 45). Hagner, well aware of Remington’s delinquencies, requested instruc-

tions as to the reception of revolvers after the contract expired. On February 16, Ripley sent the

following to the secretary of war:

Endorsement on letter of Maj. P. V. Hagner, Inspector of Small Arms, requesting informa-

tion as to the reception of Remington Pistols.

Respectfully referred to the War Dept. In view of the wants of the service, the low

price, and the high character of these pistols, it is recommended that the time of delivery

be extended to allow Messrs. Remington & Sons to complete their contract. Nine thousand

(about) Pistols (Army size) remain to be delivered.31

Ripley’s request was granted, and four days later he notified Hagner:

59

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 43Early cone front sight at top, late pinched sighton bottom. (Author’s collection)

60

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 44Confederate soldier displaying an Elliot ArmyRevolver. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Figure 45Union soldier displaying an Elliot ArmyRevolver. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Sir,

Your letter of the 14th having been submitted to the Secretary of War, He has authorized

the reception of the revolvers forfeited by the Messrs. Remington for non delivery within

the time specified in their contract.

You will therefore receive from them the whole number of revolvers, specified in their

contract of 13 June, 1862.32

This was a rather unusual extension, inasmuch as no time limitation was specified. Remington

proceeded to deliver revolvers at approximately twenty-five hundred per month until the con-

tract was fulfilled the following June.

The secretary of war received a letter in March containing allegations that Remington was

continuing to use malleable iron to manufacture their frames, instead of wrought iron, as

required by the department. This matter was investigated by Hagner, who found the allegations

unfounded. Ripley reported to Stanton on March 18:

Sir,

I have the honor to report that in compliance with your endorsement on the letter of

Messrs. Michael Groshean and A. T. Freeman, stating that the Messrs. Remington were

making frames of their revolvers of malleable iron, copies of those letters were referred to

Maj. Hagner with instructions to investigate the matter and report, and that the result

of his examination is contained in the accompanying letter received from him.

The letters of Messrs. Groshean and Freeman are herewith returned.33

The author is not acquainted with Groshean. Austin T. Freeman was the inventor of the

revolver of the same name and had been seeking a government contract (figure 46). This episode

reeks of sour grapes.

By the end of March, Remington had completed all of the department’s suggested modifi-

cations. They once again adopted the 1858 barrel address, omitting Beals’s name. The

Remingtons were proud of their new revolver. On April 20, they sent samples to Ripley, simul-

taneously soliciting an additional contract:

Sir,

We forwarded to you on the 18th inst. per express, a case containing one of our improved

Army Pistols, with appendages complete; together with samples of the material used in the

construction of the arm and the forged and machined state.

We would remark that we shall be able to close the delivery of our present contract

in about 30 days, and we desire to know at as early a date as convenient, if it is the wish

of your Department that we should continue to furnish the arms after the expiration of

our present contract.

On taking this contract, we had largely to increase our capacity in the way of

machinery, tools, buildings, &c to enable us to complete the pistols as rapidly as they were

required, and although unexpected difficulties in procuring workmen, and suitable and

61

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

efficient machinery and material, have prevented us from fulfilling our engagements in all

respects, as we would have desired, we assure you that it has been our earnest purpose to

comply strictly with our contract, and we have only been prevented from doing so, by cir-

cumstances we could not control.

Owing to the greatly enhanced cost of manufacturing at the present time, and the

reduced price at which we contracted to make the arms, should your department give us

no more to make, it would result in a heavy loss to us, as we have invested much more

than we have thus far received on the pistols delivered; in machinery, tools, buildings &c

adapted to a great measure to the manufacturing of this arm, and which would be mainly

unavailable for other purposes.

We are now turning out 100 Army Pistols a day at our Armory in this place and

within the next 30 days expect to deliver them at the same rate from our branch Armory

in Utica. We would therefore respectfully ask that an order be given us for forty or fifty

thousand Army Revolvers like sample in case sent you, at the same price at which we are

now furnishing the arms viz: $12. each including appendages.34

Recently, while delving into the bowels of the Smithsonian, Mr. Charlie Pate came upon a

unique Remington item. It has all of the features described in Remington’s letter above. The case

is cataloged as being donated to the museum in 1903 by the U.S. Army, with no reference to its

origins. The assembled revolver and accoutrements are missing, but enough of the contents

remain to convince me that this is the very same case described in the letter above. The individ-

ual responsible for labeling the contents seems to have had very little knowledge about revolvers,

note that the caliber is given as .45 (figure 47).

62

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 46Freeman Army Revolver. (Courtesy: Greg Martin Auctions)

I have noticed that surviving letters from Remington to the department seem to be scarce. I

attribute this to the more mundane correspondence being sent to the inspector of contract arms.

I feel extremely fortunate to have this piece of correspondence. Remington’s statements about

their production capabilities indicate that the Utica facility had been unable to manufacture

revolvers to the extent anticipated. Remington offered that Ilion revolver production was one

hundred units a day; at that time, they were delivering only twenty-five hundred per month.

With the output from Utica, they expected to double their capacity by May. However, this was

not to be the case, as they never delivered more than thirty-seven hundred revolvers during any

month in 1863.

Some confusion ensued on receiving the above request. Ripley had evidently forgotten that the

department had already given Remington permission to complete their 1862 contract. On April 25,

he submitted their request to the secretary of war as an extension of their present contract:

Endorsement on letter of E. Remington & Son, relative to their pistol, asking that they

may be directed to furnish these arms to the Government.

Respectfully returned: The Army pistol of Remington within referred to is an arm of

good quality. A contract was made, 13th June 1862, for 20,000 of these pistols at $12. each

including appendages, deliverable at specified periods, so as to complete the entire delivery

in February 1863. That contract stipulated that any failure in the delivery due at any time

should forfeit the right to deliver the number thus deficient, and that any default in

delivering any or all of the articles mentioned, the Contractors should forfeit and pay

the United States fifteen thousand dollars. The deliveries up to this time, amount to

9,090 pistols, leaving 10,910 deficient. In consideration of the deliveries already made by

the Messrs. Remington, of the quality of these pistols, and of their being more prepared

to deliver more rapidly, it is recommended that the forfeitures under the contract be

63

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 47Remington sample casesent to the chief of ord-nance. (Courtesy: CharlesW. Pate photograph,Smithsonian Collection)

remitted, and that they be allowed to go on and complete the delivery of the 20,000

pistols, provided they do so in four months, or less, from the first of May next.35

Once again, Stanton granted Ripley’s request, and on April 28, Ripley advised Hagner:

Sir,

I transmit herewith for your information and government a copy of a letter from

E. Remington & Sons to the Secretary of War with the endorsement made thereon at

this office, and the decision of the Secretary of War in the case, directing that Messrs.

Remington & Sons be authorized to deliver the whole number of revolvers embraced in

their contract of 13 June 1862, which decision you will be pleased to communicate to

these gentlemen.36

There must have been some dismay in Ilion when Hagner conveyed this message.

Remington lost no time in reacting and notified Ripley of the error on May 2, again requesting

a new contract. Ripley replied on May 8:

Gentlemen,

I have to inform you that the Secretary of War by endorsement on your letter of the 2nd

inst. has directed that a new contract be entered into with you, for as many revolvers, not

exceeding 20,000 as you can manufacture from the expiration of your present Contract,

till the first of January, 1864, on the same terms as under the present one, and that such

Contract will be prepared and sent to you for execution in the course of a few days.37

During that same week, Ripley returned one of Hagner’s accounts for correction:

May 6, 1863

Sir,

The account of E. Remington & Son is again herewith returned, five hundred bullet

moulds casting two balls should have been delivered with the 1,000 pistols as in all previ-

ous accounts. If only 250 have been delivered, the cost of 250 should be deducted.38

64

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 48Condemned barrel. (Author’s collection)

In June of 1862, the department had excused Remington from delivering the six-ball gang

mold. The contract still called for delivery of a combination nipple-wrench screwdriver with

each revolver and one mold casting two balls for every two revolvers. This was the first instance

that I have located in which Remington did not furnish the molds.

The two final deliveries on this first contract were made on June 18 and 24. When Hagner

accepted five hundred revolvers on June 18, Remington offered the department seven hundred

rejected revolvers at a reduced price. Hagner advised Remington to put this proposition into

writing, which he, in turn, submitted to the department. Ripley responded on July 1:

Inspector Col. P. V. Hagner

Sir,

The letter to you from Messrs. Remington & Sons of the 18th ultimo, which you sent to

this office, was referred to the Secretary of War endorsed as follows:

Ordnance Office

June 22, 1863

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

These are good pistols, the price very moderate, and we want them. It is therefore

recommended that they be purchased.

Jas. W. Ripley, Br. Genl., Ch. Of Ord.

This recommendation having been approved, you are now authorized to receive the

said pistols at the price of eleven dollars each.39

I note in this letter that Hagner had recently been promoted. The revolvers that he was

authorized to receive were second-class serviceable arms with minor blemishes that would not

pass the rigorous inspection procedure for contract arms. They were not credited to a contract.

I shall later offer more about the second-class revolvers. I will point out that the rejection

rate for Remington’s revolvers was very high, and although the army revolver serial numbers

reached 149,000 for the final deliveries in 1865, the department accepted only 116,763 Armies.

Ordnance inspectors used a large “C” to stamp condemned parts (figure 48). Revolvers with

these marks were tainted goods and were difficult to sell on the commercial market. To avoid

this, Remington soon learned to preinspect their revolvers prior to submission to ordnance

inspectors; this kept the percentage of marked condemned parts much lower.

Based on the overall serial number range of Remington Army Revolvers manufactured dur-

ing the Civil War, I estimate the range of serial numbers delivered on this first contract to be

approximately 850–25,000. When completed, Remington had delivered all three of their models

to the army. They, like other arms manufacturers of this era, seldom made a clean break between

the manufacture of prior and succeeding models. When it was feasible, Remington used all of

the remaining parts on the newer models. I have examined many army and navy revolvers that

seem to defy classification. Collectors describe these arms as “transitions,” and there are several

types available to the Remington collector.

These practices also created an overlap in the serial numbers between some models. An

example of this is found in the change from the Beals to the Elliot Model Navies. Serial number

65

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

14,332 was reported to be an Elliot model with a Beals barrel address; serial number 15,694 was

reported to be a true Beals Model Navy. I shall further discuss these transitions, variations, and

serial number overlaps in a later chapter.

When it was possible, both the Union and Confederate armies recovered abandoned arms from

battlefield sites and forwarded them to an arsenal for inspection and repair. Broken or malfunction-

ing arms turned in by troops were also sent to an arsenal. Salvageable parts from malfunctioning

arms were employed to restore other arms to serviceable condition for reissue. The Ordnance

Department regularly ordered spare parts from arms manufacturers for this same purpose. This

practice also created some revolvers that do not conform to the standard models. Many of the very

early production revolvers that I have examined have parts that were not consistent with the stan-

dard model, for example, Beals or Elliot models with New Model cylinders (identified by the safety

66

CHAPTER TWO

Figure 49Starr Double Action Navy Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

Figure 50Starr Single Action Army Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

notches) or with cylinders that did not have matching serial numbers. I have found that some very

desirable arms are often passed over by the “purist” collector, who insists that all of the component

parts be original to the arm. This is especially true of Civil War arms.

The original concept for Remington’s Army and Navy Revolvers was conceived by Beals.

However, the army ordnance inspectors seem to have had a crucial role in redesigning these

revolvers to their final development.

Remington was not the only contractor whose arms benefited from the input of the depart-

ment. Starr had also received a revolver contract in 1862. When the contract expired, the depart-

ment had refused to extend it or award a new one. Starr’s original revolver design, a

double-action or self-cocking model, proved to be too complicated and expensive for the

Ordnance Department (figure 49). Starr redesigned it as a single-action model and received an

additional contract (figure 50).

When Colt first introduced their 1860 Model Army Revolver, considerable difficulty was

experienced with exploding cylinders when proofing the revolvers. The problem was alleviated

by boring the cylinder chambers smaller at the bottom, therefore providing a thicker wall at the

rear of the cylinder. Ordnance inspectors had some input in this new design. Colt also would

have been required to redesign their revolvers to a solid frame model when their contract for

these revolvers expired in November 1863. This was averted by Colt’s reluctance to furnish

revolvers at a competitive price (see letter in chapter 3, Balch to Hagner, November 6, 1863).

I have reformatted the Army Ordnance Department’s original records to reflect the types of

revolvers received on deliveries and also present copies of the original “Memorandum of

Receipts.”40 The reader will note that the entry dates from these different records do not always

coincide. The “Memorandum of Receipts” reflects a true copy of the ordnance inspector’s

receipts; the ledger containing “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms”

was made by department clerks.41 Many errors occurred when making entries, and many deliv-

eries were never entered into these ledgers:

67

REMINGTON’S FIRST REVOLVER CONTRACTS

Figure 51Remington Armory,circa 1862. (Courtesy:Roy Marcot)

Remington Revolvers Delivered on Contracts of June 13, 1862PURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for; price; total amount; date of contract or order; and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR DATE OF PURCHASE QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDER AMOUNT DATE

Remington & Sons 1862 Jul. 12 750 Beals Army Revolvers $12 00 $9,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Aug. 3 500 Beals & 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Aug. 11 500 Beals & 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Aug. 19 500 Beals & 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Sep. 11 900 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 9,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Sep. 26 500 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Oct. 8 549 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,588 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Oct. 17 500 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Oct. 22 500 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Oct. 29 500 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Nov. 8 500 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Nov. 15 600 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 7,200 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Nov. 21 600 1861 Navy Revolvers 11 00 6,600 00 June 13, 1862a

Remington & Sons 1862 Nov. 26 500 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Dec. 3 500 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 6,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1862 Dec. 22 1,001 1861 Navy Revolvers 12 00 12,012 00 June 13, 1862b

Remington & Sons 1862 Dec. 23 200 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 2,400 00 June 13, 1862c

68 CH

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TS

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”aThis lot of second-class revolvers was accepted by the Ordnance Department at reduced price. They were credited to contract. bRemington delivered 5,001 Beals and

Elliot (1861) Navy Revolvers under the contract of June 13, 1862, after the Ordnance Department granted an extension. cThis delivery was omitted from entries in original

ledger of “Purchases” by clerical error. Delivery confirmed by entries in “Memorandum of Receipts,” Certificate No. 8. dThis delivery was omitted from entries in original

ledger of “Purchases” by clerical error. Delivery confirmed by entries in “Memorandum of Receipts,” Certificate No. 18. eThis was the final delivery of army revolvers

under the contract of June 13, 1862. A total of 20,001 army revolvers was delivered after Remington received extensions on the contract. These included Beals, Elliot (1861),

and New Models.

Remington & Sons 1862 Dec. 31 502 1861 Army Revolvers 12 00 6,024 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Jan. 5 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Jan. 16 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Jan. 28 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Feb. 10 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Feb. 23 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Mar. 6 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Mar. 17 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 40 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Mar. 21 1,000 1861–New Model Army Transition 12 00 12,000 40 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Apr. 9 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Apr. 18 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 40 June 13, 1862d

Remington & Sons 1863 Apr. 29 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 40 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 May 9 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 40 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 May 21 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 68 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Jun. 2 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 24 June 13, 1862

Remington & Sons 1863 Jun. 22 900 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 10,800 28 June 13, 1862e

70 CH

APTER

TW

OOrdnance Inspector’s “Memorandum of Receipts” for Army Revolvers

“Memorandum of Receipts of 20,000 ARMY REVOLVERS from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their CONTRACTS from

CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated JUNE 13th, 1862”

DATE OF EACH REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE NO. DESCRIPTIONDELIVERY REPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER SHIPPED

1862 Book No.

Jul. 12 32 — 1 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 750 Army Revolvers

Aug. 2 32 — 2 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Sep. 16 32 191 3 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 3 32 206 4 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 549 Army Revolvers

Oct. 22 32 206 5 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 29 32 244 6 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 15 32 244 7 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 600 Army Revolvers

Nov. 26 32 244 8 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Dec. 23 32 283 8 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 200 Army Revolversa

Dec. 29 32 283 9 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 502 Army Revolvers

1863

Jan. 5 33 — 10 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 10 — — 10 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 16 — — 11 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 22 — — 12 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 28 — — 12 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 5 — — 13 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 10 — — 13 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 17 — — 14 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

71

REM

ING

TO

N’S

FIRST R

EVO

LVER

CO

NTR

AC

TS

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.”aThese three lots of revolvers were never entered into Ordnance Ledger, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms.”

Feb. 25 — — 14 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 28 — — 15 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 9 — — 15 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 13 — — 16 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 19 — — 16 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 24 — — 17 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 30 — — 17 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Apr. 3 — — 18 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolversa

Apr. 9 — — 18 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolversa

Apr. 15 — — 19 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Apr. 22 — — 19 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Apr. 25 — — 20 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

May 1 — — 20 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

May 7 — — 21 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

May 12 — — 21 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

May 19 — — 22 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

May 23 — — 22 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

May 29 — — 23 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jun. 4 — — 23 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jun. 11 — — 24 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jun. 18 — — 24 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jun. 24 — — 24 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 400 Army Revolvers

TOTAL 20,001

72 CH

APTER

TW

OOrdnance Inspector’s “Memorandum of Receipts” for Navy Revolvers

“Memorandum of Receipts of 5,000 NAVY REVOLVERS from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their

CONTRACTS from CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated JUNE 13th, 1862”

DATE OF EACH REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE NO. DESCRIPTIONDELIVERY REPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER SHIPPED

1862 Book No.

Aug. 11 32 — 1 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Navy Revolvers

Aug. 19 32 — 2 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Navy Revolvers

Sep. 11 32 183 3 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 900 Navy Revolvers

Oct. 17 32 206 4 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Navy Revolvers

Nov. 8 32 244 5 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Navy Revolvers

Nov. 20 32 244 6 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 600 Navy Revolvers

Dec. 3 32 283 7 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Navy Revolvers

Dec. 16 32 283 8 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 300 Navy Revolvers

Dec. 22 32 283 8 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 700 Navy Revolvers

Dec. 22 32 283 8 Major Hagner New York Arsenal 1 Navy Revolvers

TOTAL 5,001

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.” Entry 80 is the most reliable of the Archives’ records for verifying deliveries.

Errors or omissions have been noted in others of the Archives’ records.

CHAPTER THREE

Remington’s Second

Army Revolver Contract

Remington made the final delivery on their first contract for army revolvers on June 22, 1863.

This chapter will address the events that occurred between July 1 and December 31.

Brig. Gen. James W. Ripley advised Lt. Col. P. V. Hagner of Remington’s new contract on July 1:

Sir,

In reply to that portion of your letter of the 19th ult. which refers to a new contract for

Remington pistols, I have to state that one has been authorized “for all they can supply

the present year not exceeding 20,000,” on the same terms and conditions as their last

contract, with the exception of the sear screw, suggested in your letter of the 1st May, 1863.

Contracts will be prepared and sent to the parties & this is communicated that the

inspection not be delayed.

Jas. W. Ripley, Br. Genl., Ch. Ord.

Copies for Messrs. Remington & Sons. Orders have been sent to Mr. Hannis to

proceed without delay with the inspection.1

Benjamin Hannis was the principal sub-inspector at the Remington Armory at this time, having

replaced C. G. Curtis early in 1863. The department required civilian inspectors to be on duty at

armories away from home and family for extended periods; it granted, from time to time, leaves

of absence and replacement by another inspector. On returning to duty, they were not necessar-

ily assigned to the same armory where they had served their previous tour; consequently, several

different inspectors served at the Remington facilities during the Civil War.

Ripley forwarded the contract to Remington on July 2:

Gentlemen,

I transmit herewith Quadruplicates of a Contract, for all the Revolvers you can deliver

during the current year not exceeding 20,000, which contract has been authorized, by

the Secretary of War on your application of 20th April last.

Be pleased to execute and return the same as soon as convenient. In executing the

four copies you will be careful to see that each is provided with the number of stamps as

required by law, which is one stamp of five cents for the sheet on which written and one

73

stamp of ten cents for each affidavit and certificate. If there be two sureties three ten cent

stamps will be required for each copy and if there be more than two sureties then one ten

cent stamp will be required for each additional surety.2

On July 4, Ripley conveyed further information to Hagner about the contract:

Sir,

In reply to your letter of the 2nd inst. I have to state that in the new contract sent to

Messrs. Remington for execution a proviso has been inserted requiring them to make such

modifications and alterations to the pistol as you may deem necessary or important.3

On July 8, Hagner accepted the first one thousand revolvers on the new contract.

Simultaneously, he also received the seven hundred second-class revolvers authorized in Ripley’s

letter of June 22. He accepted a total of twenty-seven hundred army revolvers in July and with

an increase in production in August, another thirty-five hundred. Remington’s deliveries in the

final half of 1863 averaged three thousand revolvers per month.

74

CHAPTER THREE

Figure 52A Civil War veteran displayinghis Remington revolver.(Courtesy: Jay Huber)

On September 15, Ripley retired “for age.” Some researchers contend that, in reality, he

was removed because of his unyielding attitude concerning the adoption of breechloaders

into the service.

George Douglas Ramsey, a twenty-eight-year veteran of the Ordnance Department,

replaced Ripley. A captain before the war, he received a rapid series of promotions, from

major to lieutenant colonel in August 1861, to colonel in June 1863. He had served as com-

mander of the Washington Arsenal from 1861 until his appointment as brigadier general and

chief of ordnance.

In the fall of 1863, bullet molds once again became the subject of correspondence between

the department and ordnance officers. On September 16, Ramsey sent the following to

Lieutenant Shaff, ordnance officer at Bealton Station, Virginia:

Sir;

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 11th inst. recommending that no further issue be

made of Pistol Bullet Moulds to the Cavalry, and to state that such issues hereafter will be

made only on Special requisition for them.

This matter has been heretofore considered and no bullet moulds are furnished with

the revolvers now being furnished under contract.

You should take measures to collect and send to the Arsenal in this city all such bullet

moulds in the hands of troops, which are not required.4

Ramsey was in error in stating that no molds were being delivered with revolvers. At the

request of Hagner, Remington had suspended deliveries of this appendage in June; Colt either

had a large stock of molds on hand or had an ongoing contract with the supplier and had

refused to halt deliveries. Ramsey learned of this the following month and sent the following let-

ter to Hagner on October 26:

Sir,

You will be pleased to see if any arrangements cannot be made with the principal

Pistol manufacturers to stop the furnishing (of) bullet moulds with the Pistol.

The moulds are accumulating very fast, are very seldom issued, or if issued are lost

or thrown away by the soldiers as useless. Be pleased to give this subject your

early attention.5

Hagner replied two days later:

General,

In reply to your letter of the 26th relative to the receipt of Bullet Moulds with pistols, I

have the honor to state, that I made arrangements with the Messrs. Remington to cease

their manufacture—deducting 18 cents per pistol—and have not received any Bullet

Moulds since June 22nd from them—nor are we to receive moulds from Mr. Hoard or the

Starr Arms Co. under like arrangement.

75

REMINGTON’S SECOND ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

76

CHAPTER THREE

The Colt’s Company declined to consider the matter at the time, and as their contract

specified their delivery, I could not stop their receipt. I do not see any necessity for Moulds

for Carbines and recommend that these likewise be stopped.6

Martially marked Remington bullet molds are quite scarce in comparison to the revolvers

(figure 53). Hagner’s letter explains this. I have already discussed the six-cavity gang molds (see

letter in chapter 2, Ripley to Thornton, June 28, 1862). There were 2,500 .36 caliber and 9,750 .44

caliber two-cavity molds delivered with the revolvers on the contracts of June 13, 1862 (see letter

in chapter 2, Ripley to Hagner, May 6, 1863). None were delivered on the contract of July 6, 1863.

The arrangement between Remington and Hagner dispensed with their delivery, and the depart-

ment deducted eighteen cents from the price of each revolver. The final two contracts for

revolvers made no mention of this appendage. Early in the war, the department had adopted

combustible cartridges; their use made bullet molds and powder flasks obsolete.

It was the practice of the army to periodically appoint officers to serve on an ordnance

board. These officers would examine submitted arms and make recommendations to the War

Department for improvements and modifications. On October 3, Ramsey forwarded one of their

revolver recommendations to Hagner:

Sir,

The following recommendations of the Ordnance Board at its recent meeting, having been

approved by the Secretary of War, they are communicated for your information and gov-

ernment. “The Board recommended that .44 inch be adopted as the caliber of revolvers,

and seven and a half inches for the length of the barrel.”

“The Board recommended that the question of modifying the compound appendage and

adapting a combined wiper and ball screw be submitted to Lt. Col. Hagner and Maj. Dyer.”7

Figure 53Martially marked Remingtonarmy and navy bullet molds.(Author’s collection)

There seems to be some contradiction in this board’s recommendations and those of a pre-

war board that had established the pattern of the 1860 Colt Army Revolvers. The barrel length

recommended at that time was eight inches. This recommendation had no effect on the

Remington Army Revolvers; their barrel lengths had been and would remain eight inches.

With Colt and Remington the only suppliers of revolvers, the department was in dire need.

When Starr’s revolver contract expired in April 1863, the department declined an extension, cit-

ing the expense and delicate mechanism of the double-action or self-cocking models. After Starr

perfected a single-action model, the department awarded them a new contract on September 22;

however, none would be delivered until December.

On October 15, Ramsey telegraphed Remington concerning their revolver production:

Telegram

Please report immediately by telegraph how fast you can supply Army size Revolvers on

your order, and what you are delivering.8

I perceive this query to be a signal to Remington to hasten deliveries. The information requested

was available from Hagner and was, no doubt, reported by him on a weekly basis. Requisitions for all

types of ordnance equipment were arriving daily at the department, far faster than they could be

filled. On October 30, Ramsey again echoed the urgency to Hagner for more revolvers:

Sir,

Major Wainwright needs Colts and Remington pistols very much, and I have to request

that you will admonish the manufacturers to furnish them as rapidly as possible.9

About this time, a series of events were put in motion that would have a profound effect

on both the Ordnance Department and Remington. It began with the department’s request on

October 10 for Hagner to evaluate Colt’s Model 1860 Army Revolvers:

Sir;

Respectfully referred to Col. Hagner, Inspector of Small Arms for report as to whether any

change in the present model of Colts pistol should be made, and if so what delay if any,

such a change would cause, or how much it would reduce the quantity the Company is

now capable of delivering monthly.10

I have not located Hagner’s reply, but further correspondence indicates that he was critical

of the Colt’s revolvers then being delivered. Ramsey had evidently made similar requests of other

ordnance officers. He sent this letter to Hagner on October 23:

Sir,

I transmit, herewith, for your information a copy of a report made to Captain Benton,

by the Master Armorer of Washington Arsenal, of the defects observed by him repairing

Revolver pistols at that post, particularly Colts as compared to Remingtons.11

77

REMINGTON’S SECOND ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

78

CHAPTER THREE

Ramsey included the following report:

Washington Arsenal

October 20, 1863

Captain J. G. Benton

Commanding Washington Arsenal

Sir,

Agreeable to your order, to report in regard to the “Remington” Army & Navy Pistols,

compared with the Colt’s, of the same class, I respectfully submit the following.

Colts Army & Navy Pistols (new Model)

In a great many of these Pistols turned in here, I have found the “Base pin”

(on which the cylinder revolves) to be bent, and badly strained, in some. So much

as to leave an opening between the barrel and cylinder of .05 inch. The Base pin is

the principal support for holding the barrel firm in its place, in many cases the slot

in the base pin becomes so much elongated by the wear of the Key, as to require a

new pin.

The spaces between the ratchet holes, or countersinks, in the Barrel, (in which the

lever works) I have found to be torn out and in many cases had to substitute a new

Barrel, where the old Barrel would have answered, but for the cause named, very often

the nibs or jogs, on the lever are broken off. The arrangement of the Lever and Rammer

in the old Model, seems to stand the wear of service much better than the new Model.

The other parts of these pistols seem to stand better. The interchanging of the different

parts is better in these pistols, than in others we have.

Remington Army & Navy Pistols

These pistols seem to stand the test of service very well. The arrangement of the

Lockframe and Topstrap is better calculated to give strength, and render them less liable

to get out of order, than pistols of other makes.

I have found very few of the frames disabled by being bent or strained.

The arrangement of the lever and rammer is simple, and I have found them broken

less, in proportion to the number we have repaired than those of any other make. I have

Figure 54An artist’s rendering of theWashington Arsenal, circa 1880.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

79

REMINGTON’S SECOND ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

also found the Barrel to stand much better than any others, but few of them cracked

or bursted.

The parts of these pistols do not interchange well, the trouble being principally with

the Barrel which will only work to the frame it has been fitted to. The front sight is dove-

tailed in the barrel, many of them work out and are lost. If a better system of interchang-

ing of parts was adopted, these pistols would be much better adapted to the public service.

In my judgment Pistols made on the “Remington” plan, with Lockframe, Topstrap,

and Backstrap in one piece, are better calculated to stand the wear of service, than pistols

made on the Colts plan, where the Base pin is the principal dependence to keep the Barrel

firm and operate against the recoil and slugging of the Ball.

Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servant

Jno. G. Dudley12

The loading lever ratchet teeth and the corresponding ratchet holes in the underside of the

barrel were used on the Colt 1860 Army and 1861 Navy models. Once the ratchet teeth were dam-

aged or corresponding holes stripped from the barrel, the cylinder could not be loaded. A load-

ing lever or barrel, thus damaged, could not be repaired and required replacement.

The department did not ignore these adverse reports. Colt was delivering Model 1860 Army

Revolvers on a May 25, 1863, contract and was to make final deliveries in November. Colt was

seeking a new contract, and negotiations were in progress when the department received this

report. Armed with both Hagner’s recommendations and Dudley’s report, the department

insisted that Colt redesign their revolver to eliminate the reported faults. Colt evidently had no

objection to redesigning their revolvers; however, when the department insisted that the

revolvers be delivered at a competitive price, Colt balked, and negotiations came to an impasse.

The price of revolvers was not the only bone of contention between Colt and the depart-

ment. There had been previous disagreements, for example, when Colt had refused to furnish

parts for their revolvers at the accumulated price and also when they had billed the department

for the full retail price of ammunition to prove their revolvers. Needless to say, Colt’s self-inter-

est mandated a resolution. I have mentioned elsewhere that Colt management lost their navy

revolver orders to Remington in 1862 by refusing to adopt competitive pricing. It would appear

that they had learned little from this earlier mistake. The department was resolute in their deter-

mination that all revolvers received on contract be furnished at a competitive price, and this was

the price that Remington had established when bidding on their first contracts, that is, twelve

dollars. Capt. George T. Balch, Ramsey’s aide, informed Hagner of the situation concerning Colt

on November 6:

Confidential

Sir,

In communicating a few days past to the Colt company, the decision of the War

Department on their application for a new contract for revolvers, which decision

approved the recommendation of this office, that only $12. should be paid, that they

should furnish parts at the accumulated price of whole arms, and that in future orders

they should be required to furnish arms of a new pattern, the price was accidently omitted

to be mentioned.

The company accepted the order for 15,000 on the supposition that the price was to

be the same as under previous orders, viz: $14., but now upon being made aware of the

difference in price they decline the offer, evidently with the view of forcing us into their

terms, knowing how urgently we are pressed. It is the intention of this department to so

manage its affairs that we shall not be compelled to yield to the extortion, or caprice of

any contractor or company and in this part of the progression the Department is satisfied

of your hearty cooperation.

With the view, therefore, of cutting loose from this monopoly, you are requested

to urge upon all contractors for revolvers the absolute necessity of increasing their

deliveries to the extent of their ability. Remington should increase his deliveries to at

least 300 per day and the Starr Co. should furnish not less than 100 daily. Hoard and

Rogers should be urged to hasten their deliveries as rapidly as possible. To accomplish

the object in view, it may be advisable and perhaps necessary to relax the severity of

your inspections, and in that want you are authorized to do so to such an extent as

you should deem proper.13

The events described in the above document will come as a revelation to many. I have read

more than one account attributing Colt’s lack of revolver production during the final months of

the war to the fire that partially destroyed their armory in February 1864. I was also aware that

such was not the case but until unearthing the letter above, had no verification of the facts

behind the department’s denial of an additional revolver contract. Colt management seems to

have finally lost all credibility with the department; confidence in the firm would not return

until the early 1870s, after Gen. W. B. Franklin had assumed the position of vice president and

general agent of the firm.

Hagner responded to Balch’s confidential memo on November 9:

My Dear Balch,

It will be hard to get along for a little while without Colt, unless you can help yourself by

using repaired pistols. There must be an immense number repaired or requiring repairs.

I have sent many large lots of spare parts to various officers. The worst point will be that

the pistol requires such constant repair that you will have to think how you are to provide

parts except through the Company & at their prices.

There is no doubt that this pistol is the least serviceable of any we now get and that it

costs more to keep in repair. I have been arguing this for two years upon Genl. R.

I think Remington can be brought up to 300 per day in a month or so, and Starr to

100 or 150. Hoard (the Freeman revolver) cannot be relied upon I fear. Their shop is the

“dummiest,” as the English say, of any ever known. We can get no product from them

with regularity, as when all seems to be doing well, a sudden stop comes, that throws all

out of kilter and poor Hoard is at his wit’s end to start again. The Inspectors complain

very much.

80

CHAPTER THREE

The condemnation is very little on pistol work, not enough to make it worth while to

relax the Inspection in order to increase the quantity. I will see what I can get from

Remington of the 2nd quality, possibly a few hundred.

I will close the Inspection at Colt’s as soon as Col. Lord is supplied. This order

requires 155 over the contract which I must buy at old rates I suppose.14

Hagner was quite candid in this response to Balch’s memo, and he expresses his contempt

for Colt and their business practices quite openly. His assessment of Hoard’s armory is also a

revelation; this explains why the Freeman revolver never achieved its full potential.

Other ordnance officers were advised to fill requisitions for Colt’s revolvers with

Remingtons. Ramsey so notified Maj. R. A. Wainwright, commander of the New York Arsenal,

on October 30:

Sir,

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 28th inst. including a list of Starr’s needed to

fill existing orders for supplies, and in reply, to state that both Col. Hagner and Maj.

Laidley have been advised to hurry up deliveries to you of pistols and powder. I would

also state that you are authorized to fill your orders for Colts pistols with those of the

Remington manufacture.15

Colt made their final revolver delivery to the department on November 24, 1863. During

the remainder of the war, Remington and Starr supplied all of the Union’s revolver needs.

The department awarded Rogers & Spencer Company a contract for five thousand army

revolvers on November 29, 1864, but these were delivered too late in the war to be issued

(figure 55).

81

REMINGTON’S SECOND ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Figure 55Rogers & Spencer Army Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

On the same day that he sent the above letter, Ramsey again contacted Hagner:

Sir,

Major Wainwright needs Colts and Remington pistols very much, and I have to request

that you will admonish the manufacturers to furnish them as rapidly as possible.16

Remington had recently solicited a new contract from the department; the existing

agreement was due to expire at year’s end. The secretary of war had approved a new contract

for twenty-five thousand revolvers, and Ramsey forwarded it to Remington for signature on

November 3:

Gentlemen,

I transmit herewith quintuplicate copies of a Contract for 25,000 Revolvers, which

Contract you will be pleased to execute and return immediately to this office. The

Contract is dated Nov. 8th and unless it is returned to this office by the 16th inst. it

will be considered as null and void, and that you do not accept the same.17

It would appear that Remington had heard rumors of the department’s difficulties with

Colt. Realizing that they were now in an excellent bargaining position, Remington, rather

than accept the contract that was proffered, sent a negotiator to Washington to make a

counter proposal to furnish seventy-five thousand revolvers. This was submitted by Ramsey

to the secretary of war on November 17:

Endorsement on letter from E. Remington & Sons offering to furnish 75,000 Army

Revolvers at $12.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. Messrs. E. Remington & Sons offer

to contract with the Government for Army Revolvers to be delivered as follows Viz:

6,500 in January, 7,800 in February, 9,000 in March, 10,400 in April, 10,400 in

May, 10,400 in June, 10,400 in July including appendages at $12. each. As there are

but some 42,000 pistols due and outstanding and in view of the large number that

will be required for the military service within the time specified, it is deemed judi-

cious to make provisions for the same and as the Army revolver of Messrs. Remington

is of well established character and the price is deemed altogether reasonable, the

acceptance of this offer in whole or in part is respectfully recommended.18

The astute reader will have noticed a discrepancy between the total number of revolvers

specified at the top of this proposal and the total of the monthly deliveries. I suspect that

the final delivery figure of 10,100 for August was inadvertently omitted from the above pro-

posal. The secretary’s office used the monthly figures to approve the contract; therefore, we

arrive at an odd number of 64,900 revolvers. Approval was granted immediately and

Remington instantly accepted the offer. Please note that the acceptance was penned at

Washington on the same day:

82

CHAPTER THREE

83

REMINGTON’S SECOND ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Washington, Nov. 17, 1863

Brig. Genl. Geo. D. Ramsey

Sir,

We have the honor to inform you that we accept your offer made us this day to furnish the

Government with Sixty four thousand, nine hundred (64,900) Army Revolvers.19

The department mailed copies of the contract to Remington on November 18; two days later,

Remington acknowledged its acceptance, signing and returning it to Ramsey. He signed the con-

tract on November 21 but did not submit it to Stanton until the twenty-fourth. The contract was

then approved and Ramsey notified Remington on November 27:

Gentlemen,

Your contract for 64,900 Revolvers having been completed by my signature and approved

by the Secretary of War, I enclose duplicate for your use.20

Ramsey also notified Hagner on the same day:

Sir,

For your information and government in the inspection and receipt of the

articles ordered, I enclose copy of contract with the Messrs. Remington & Sons for

64,900 revolvers.21

While these contract negotiations were in progress, Ramsey ordered spare parts for revolvers

already in the field. On November 16, he sent the following to Remington:

Gentlemen,

Be pleased to furnish for the use of the Department and deliver to Lt. Col. Hagner the

following spare parts pertaining to your revolvers.

20 main springs 20 sear springs

10 pawls 10 bolts

10 guard screws 10 bolts and triggers

5 front sights 5 hammers

100 spare cones 5 lever catch springs

5 center pins

These are to be subject to the usual inspection and you will be paid the same rate

as heretofore.22

On the same day, Ramsey advised Hagner of the order:

Sir,

I enclose for your information and government in the inspection and receipt of the articles

ordered, copy of our order to Messrs. Remington & Sons for spare parts for revolvers.23

On the following day, Ramsey ordered additional spare parts:

Gentlemen,

Be pleased to furnish for the use of the Department and deliver to Lt. Col. Hagner spare

parts for 5,000 Remington Pistols, cal. .44 for one year in the field. Please deliver as soon

as possible.24

Ramsey again notified Hagner of the order on the same day:

Sir,

For your information and government in the inspection and receipt of the articles

ordered, I enclose a copy of an order to Messrs. Remington & Sons for spare parts for

5,000 Remington Pistols cal. .44 for one year in the field, also copy of an order to the

Colt’s Arms Co., for spare parts for 2,500 Colts pistols, cal. .44, for one year in the field.25

The wording in these orders provides little insight into the number of parts required to repair a

given number of revolvers.

Remington delivered only 18,208 army revolvers on the contract of July 6, 1863. Based on the

overall number of Remington Army Revolvers made during the war, I estimate the serial num-

bers had reached 48,000–50,000 when this contract was fulfilled (figure 56).

During this contract, the only significant change to the army revolvers was a new front sight.

There had been complaints about the dovetailed front sights coming loose and being lost (see in

chapter 3 report of Master Armorer Dudley, October 20, 1863). Remington designed a threaded

sight, and soon thereafter, it became the standard for the remainder of the army and navy mod-

els (figure 57). This was the last wartime design change on the New Models.

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CHAPTER THREE

Figure 56Remington New Model Army Revolver, serial number 91,152. (Author’s collection)

Thornton, who had been supervising additional construction at the Watervliet Arsenal,

completed these duties in December. The department then reassigned him to the post of inspec-

tor of contract arms. Ramsey advised Hagner of this change on December 23:

Sir,

I have to acknowledge your letter of 19th inst. In reply I have to state that Special Orders

No. 558 directs you “immediately” to relieve Col. Thornton in Command of Watervliet

Arsenal, you will therefore proceed to execute that order.

After having assumed command of Watervliet Arsenal, if it shall be necessary, you are

authorized to proceed from that post to New York and back to Watervliet for the purpose

of turning over to Col. Thornton the Inspection duty and closing your accountability in

that connection.26

Hagner would remain in command of Watervliet Arsenal for the remainder of the war.

Ordnance inspectors accepted the final lot of five hundred Remington Armies under this

contract on January 2, 1864. I present the Ordnance Department records for the delivery of

Remington Army Revolvers on the July 6, 1863, contract and also the inspector’s memorandum

of receipts for the same.

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REMINGTON’S SECOND ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Figure 57Remington Army and Navy Revolverfront sights. (Author’s collection)

Remington Army Revolver Deliveries, July 6, 1863, ContractPURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

Remington & Sons 1863 Jul. 9 700 New Model Army Revolvers $10 82 $7,574 00 July 1, 1963a

Remington & Sons 1863 Jul. 8 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Jul. 23 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Jul. 31 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Aug. 7 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Aug. 25 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Sep. 1 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Sep. 17 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Oct. 8 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Oct. 12 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Oct. 24 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Oct. 29 1,208 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 14,278 56 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Nov. 6 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Nov. 10 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Nov. 23 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Nov. 28 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1863 Dec. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

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Remington & Sons 1863 Dec. 26 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 2 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,280 00 July 6, 1863b

TOTAL 18,208

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Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”aThis lot of seven hundred revolvers was ordered as second class and was paid for at a reduced price. It was not credited to deliveries on contract. bFirst delivery on July 6,

1863, contract. Bullet molds were not delivered under an agreement between Remington and the department; eighteen cents per revolver was deducted from payment. Note

that delivery dates do not coincide with records in “Memorandum of Receipts.”

Ordnance Inspector’s “Memorandum of Receipts”“Memorandum of Receipts of 700 ARMY REVOLVERS from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their CONTRACTS from

CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated JUNE 13th, 1862”

DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1863 Book No.

July 11 3 1. A. 1 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 700 Army Revolvers

Total 700

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.”

Ordnance Inspector’s “Memorandum of Receipts”“Memorandum of Receipts of 20,000 ARMY REVOLVERS from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their CONTRACTS from

CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated JULY 6th, 1863”

DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1863 Book No.

Jul. 11 3 I. A. 1 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jul. 20 6 I. A. 2 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

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DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1863 Book No.

Jul. 27 8 I. A. 2 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 3 10 I. A. 3 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 7 10 I. A. 3 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 7 11 I. A. 4 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 10 12 I. A. 4 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 14 13 I. A. 5 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 19 14 I. A. 5 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Aug. 28 17 I. A. 6 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Sep. 1 19 I. A. 6 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Sep. 7 21 I. A. 7 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Sep. 17 23 I. A. 7 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Sep. 25 26 I. A. 8 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Sep. 29 27 I. A. 8 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 8 29 I. A. 9 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 12 30 I. A. 9 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 17 32 I. A. 13 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 20 33 I. A. 10 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 24 34 I. A. 11 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Oct. 29 35 I. A. 11 Lt. Col. Hagner Lt. R. Skinner 708 Army Revolvers

Oct. 31 36 I. A. 12 Lt. Col. Hagner Washington Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

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TNov. 4 37 I. A. 12 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 7 38 I. A. 13 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 10 39 I. A. 13 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 17 41 I. A. 14 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 18 41 I. A. 14 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 23 42 I. A. 15 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Nov. 28 45 I. A. 15 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Dec. 4 46 I. A. 16 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Dec. 9 48 I. A. 16 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Dec. 14 48 I. A. 17 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Dec. 26 52 I. A. 17 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Dec. 26 1 I. A. 18 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

1864

Jan. 2 2 I. A. 18 Lt. Col. Hagner New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Total 18,208

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.”

Note: This contract specified that Remington would furnish “all the revolvers you can deliver during the present year, not to exceed 20,000.” Before the contract expired,

18,208 New Model Army Revolvers were delivered.

CHAPTER FOUR

Remington’s Third

Army Revolver Contract

On January 2, 1864, ordnance inspectors accepted the final delivery of Remington revolvers

on the contract of July 6, 1863. Remington was now armed with a new contract for 64,900

army revolvers, the largest contract for small arms granted by the department during the war.

Remington’s success in negotiating such a large order was facilitated by the department’s diffi-

culties in concluding an agreement with Colt the previous October. With the new modifica-

tions incorporated during the previous year, the department now recognized Remington

revolvers as the finest available. The accolades received by the Remington New Models were not

lost on the military establishments of foreign governments. Near the end of 1863, the Swiss gov-

ernment requested a sample revolver from the Ordnance Department. George D. Ramsey, chief

of ordnance, ordered a revolver from Remington to satisfy that request; on January 16, he

acknowledged its receipt:

Gentlemen,

Your letter of the 7th inst. stating that you forwarded the Pistol for the Government of

Switzerland, enclosing invoice and bill of lading for same, is received. The pistol itself

came duly to hand today in good order and condition.1

On January 11, Ramsey contacted both Remington and the inspector of contract arms,

William A. Thornton, concerning the sample revolvers the former was required to furnish for

their new contract:

Gentlemen,

Your letter of the 8th inst. is received as well as the model Pistol mentioned therein. The

Pistol you sent to Col. Thornton in New York should first have been sent to this office and

forwarded from here to Col. Thornton.2

Sir,

Messrs. E. Remington & Sons in a letter dated the 8th inst. state that they had forwarded

to you on that day a model pistol. This pistol should first have been sent to this office, and

transmitted since to you.

91

You will be pleased to examine this new arm and if it meets with your approval,

forward it to this office at earliest convenience.3

Three days later, Ramsey urged both Remington and Thornton to hasten revolver deliveries:

Gentlemen,

I have to request that you will expedite as much as possible your deliveries of Revolvers.

You have 6,500 due on your Contract for 64,750 [sic] this month. Revolvers are urgently

needed. Please report what your deliveries will be.4

Sir,

I have to request that you will urge on as rapidly as possible the manufacture of the

revolvers due from E. Remington & Sons and from the Starr Arms Co. as they are

urgently needed.5

On January 20, Remington responded to Ramsey’s letter of the fourteenth:

Sir,

In reply to your communication of the 14th we would respectfully state that since the 1st

of Jany. we have delivered to the Government 1,800 Army Revolvers and will be able, we

believe to deliver 2,000 to 2,500 more by the last of the month.

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CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 58Portrait of boy soldier, Morris Gallery ofCumberland, Nashville, Tennessee. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

We have been greatly interrupted and retarded in our work in consequence of stock

used for the frame of the Revolver having been lost at sea with the vessel on which it

was shipt [sic] from England. But for this we would have been able to have delivered

the number our contract calls for this month.

We believe that in the future we will be able to furnish the requisite number called

for by the contract.6

Remington was either inordinately optimistic about the number of revolvers that its

armories could produce or was becoming more adept at prevarication to pacify the department.

At the time that this letter was penned, the company had delivered only thirteen hundred

revolvers and would deliver only twelve hundred more in January; revolver production for this

month was down one thousand from the previous month.

On January 22, Ramsey again contacted both Thornton and Remington to advise them that

they had received erroneous advice in the department’s previous communications of January 11:

Sir,

The letter of the 11th inst from this office in reference to the model pistol furnished to you by

Mr. Remington & Sons, was by a clerical error, and made to convey an erroneous idea. The

words “charges you” should be inserted after the word “this office” in the fifth line. I would

state for your information the following facts with regard to the inspection of small Arms.

The regulations of this office now require that two samples be furnished under any contract.

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REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Figure 59Federal soldier with his musket andRemington revolver. (Courtesy: Libraryof Congress)

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CHAPTER FOUR

These are to be forwarded to this office for final approval. They will then be labeled

and receive the Seal of this office, after which one sample will be retained and the other

will be sent to you for your information and guidance.

It is desirable that this plan should be strictly adhered to. The Messrs. Remington

have been informed of the fact.7

Gentlemen,

The letter of the 11th inst. acknowledging yours of the 8th inst was by a clerical misappre-

hension written erroneously, with the intention of correcting the ideas which you must

necessarily have formed. I would state the rule of this office with regard to samples of

small arms. The two samples to be furnished under every Contract are first to be sent to

the Inspector, Col. Thornton and transmitted through him to this office for final approval.

It is requisite to prevent confusion that this rule be complied with and that the

foregoing is furnished for your guidance.8

It would seem that Ramsey, recently installed as chief of ordnance, had received some erro-

neous advice concerning the sample arms required. After three attempts, he finally got it right.

On previous contracts only one sample arm had been submitted. Two specimens were now

required, one for the inspector and another for deposit in the Ordnance Office.

On January 23, Ramsey responded to an inquiry from Maj. F. D. Callender, commander of

the St. Louis Arsenal:

Telegram

Telegram received. Issue no carbines or pistols except upon requisitions approved at

this office.9

This was followed on February 5, with a letter to Callender:

Sir,

In reply to your requisition of the 1st inst., I have to say, Revolvers are so scarce that they

can be issued only on actual requisitions from the Regiments requiring them.10

In February, Remington increased deliveries to an unprecedented four thousand revolvers.

They repeated this figure again in March, but in April deliveries again fell to three thousand. The

department issued these to satisfy requisitions from the field as fast as they were delivered.

The department’s unyielding attitude to the demands of Colt management the previous

October was having telling effects on supplying troops with revolvers; they were now relying

solely on those offered by Remington and Starr. The latter company was furnishing about two

thousand revolvers per month, but this number did not offset the loss of production from Colt,

who had been delivering approximately five thousand per month when their contract expired

the previous November. The cessation of deliveries by Colt did not go unnoticed by other con-

tractors. On January 4, 1864, the department sent the following to Thornton:

Sir,

A letter has been delivered to this office from Eli Whitney, dated December 23, 1863,

stating that he has two Army size revolvers cal .44/100 which he wishes to furnish to

the Government. Mr. Whitney has been directed to present these pistols to you. You

will please, therefore, examine them, and report the results at your earliest convenience.11

The revolvers were delivered to Thornton, who made a favorable report to the department.

I have not located Thornton’s report, but on January 19, Ramsey sent the following to Whitney:

Sir:

I transmit Quintuplicate copies of a contract for 1,000 pistols, which contract please

execute and immediately return. The certificate as to the liability of the sureties must

be signed by a judge of the U.S. Court.

By direction of the Secretary of War, I have to inform you that if you fulfill the

contract for 1,000 pistols and they shall on trial in the field prove satisfactory, that this

department will then receive from you nine thousand (9,000) more of the pistols at twelve

dollars ($12.) each, provided they shall be delivered at the rate of not less than 2,000 per

month after notice that they are of approved quality.12

The limited order for only one thousand revolvers was in keeping with the recommenda-

tions of the Owen-Holt Commission; new types of arms were to be tried in the field before large

orders were offered. Whitney was not pleased with the terms of the contract; I suspect that his

objections related to the small number of revolvers specified in the initial order. In a letter to

Ramsey dated January 30, he requested that the contract be modified. Ramsey responded on the

fourth of February:

Sir:

Your letter of the 30th ult. has been received. Your contract for 1,000 pistols was made out

in accordance with instructions received from the Secretary of War, and none of its terms

and conditions can be altered. The contract is herewith returned for immediate execution.

This Department cannot send the two Remington Pistols you ask for.13

Whitney’s objections to the contract were evidently sufficient to warrant his refusal to exe-

cute the same. There is no record that this contract was executed or evidence that Whitney pro-

duced more than the two army-size revolvers submitted to Thornton. Whitney’s record in

delivering serviceable navy-size revolvers to the department seems to validate his objections (fig-

ure 60). Tooling up for a new size revolver with a potential contract limit of one thousand

revolvers was a risky venture.

I have previously mentioned second-class revolvers but have not elaborated on the subject.

This term was coined by the department to describe those arms that were functional, yet did not

measure up to the department’s exacting standards. The department had accepted two previous

deliveries of these revolvers from Remington, the first consisting of six hundred Navies on

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REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

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CHAPTER FOUR

November 21, 1862; these were accepted on the navy contract of June 13, 1862. The second lot of

seven hundred Armies was purchased from Remington on July 6, 1863, at the conclusion of the

first army revolver contract.

In the early months of the war, there was an unprecedented demand for revolvers of any

type, and this demand was not limited to the military. Arms dealers were also seeking revolvers;

most of these were, in turn, sold to agents of the government, many at a tidy profit. There was

also a demand from the public; Union volunteers often purchased their own sidearms, while

others were presented revolvers as gifts by friends, family, fraternal organizations, and business

associates. There was a third market for revolvers, created by brokers or agents of the

Confederacy seeking arms for illegal trade to the South. There seems to be a paucity of informa-

tion on this subject, but it was a fact of life. Newspapers of the day ran more than one article

describing the seizure of arms destined for Jefferson Davis’s troops. There were many other ship-

ments that were not apprehended and made the successful transition to the Confederacy.

By early 1862, the department’s practice of purchasing revolvers on the open market for

Union troops had all but ceased. By mid-1864, the Union Army was on the offensive, and the

department had successfully satisfied the more pressing requisitions for small arms. The

demand for revolvers by the public had also subsided, and Remington was faced with disposing

of several thousand second-class revolvers that had not been accepted by the department. The

company placed advertisements in newspapers and magazines, touting their wares to the public,

but this evidently did not produce the desired results (figure 61).

The firm took note of the practice of Samuel Colt, before his death, of bestowing lav-

ishly embellished revolvers on high-ranking army officers and government officials. They

decided that this strategy might be useful in bringing their revolvers to the attention of the

various Federal states, all of which had their militia groups actively engaged in the war. They

were probably unaware that most state militia requisitions were now being satisfied by the

War Department.

A small lot of New Model Army Revolvers were selected from Remington’s assembly room

and given special attention as to fit and finish. They were serially numbered in a separate range,

Figure 60Whitney Navy Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

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REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

beginning with the number 1. When assembled, they were sent to a custom shop in New York

City, where they were fitted with ivory grips carved with the individual state coat of arms on the

left grip and the Federal eagle on the right. This was all of the embellishment that the revolvers

received; there was no engraving or plating. The revolver and its appendages were then fitted to

a handsome partitioned hardwood case.

When the shop making the enhancements returned the revolvers to Remington, they were

shipped, together with a standard New Model Army Revolver, to the various recipients, with a

cover letter soliciting orders for revolvers and muskets. The dates mentioned in the letters below,

acknowledging receipt of the revolvers, indicate that the arms were sent on different dates, the first

lot in March and the second in June. I was fortunate to locate ten letters of acknowledgment for

these revolvers but assume that more than ten revolvers were dispatched, as other revolvers (not

represented by letters) are extant. I have reproduced the letters received for the March shipments:

State of Rhode Island

Executive Department

Providence, Mar. 15, 1864

Messrs. E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, New York

Gentlemen:

Your favor of the 8th inst. has been received, as also the two revolvers for which you will

please accept our thanks.

The ivory stocked one is a beautiful piece of workmanship and has attracted much

attention from our citizens. Indeed, both are considered admirable weapons, and should

the State at any time be in need of arms of this description, I am confident that it could

not do better than purchase those of your manufacture.

I am Very Truly Yours

James Y. Smith, Gov.

Figure 61Remington advertisement from Harper’sWeekly magazine, August 22, 1863.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

State of Wisconsin

Executive Department

Madison, Mar. 16, 1864

Messrs. E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, New York

Gents,

Yours of the 7th inst. has been received, and also sample Revolvers per express. The

Revolvers are very fine ones and reflect much credit upon your establishment. Our

State does not contemplate purchasing any arms at present, but should this be deter-

mined on at any future time, I should be pleased to recommend the Arms manufac-

tured by your firm.

What disposal do you wish to have made of the Revolvers sent?

Respectfully,

James T. Lewis

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Executive Department

Frankfort, Mar. 18, 1864

E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, New York

Gents,

I acknowledge the receipt per express of a box with specimen of your Army Revolver (Ivory

Stocked) having on one side the Coat of Arms of my State & the National Eagle on the

other, also box with revolver in plain style.

Having had the opportunity of witnessing in the field the excellence of your manufac-

ture of arms, I appreciate highly the specimen sent me.

Should we have occasion to make further purchases for use of Kentucky Troops in the

field, an order will be given to purchase of your manufacture.

Respectfully,

Tho. E. Brasselette

State of Vermont

Executive Chamber

St. Albans, Mar. 23, 1864

Messrs. E. Remington & Sons

Gents:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the exceedingly beautiful revolvers sent by

you by express to my address.

I cannot too highly compliment the style of workmanship of the one with Ivory stock

bearing upon one side the Coat of Arms of this State and upon the other the National

Emblem. The whole is exquisitely wrought, and for the compliment thus paid to the State

please accept my warm thanks.

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In the event our State Legislature at its next session should pass an act to reorganize

the Militia of this State as I have strong hopes they will, it will be necessary for us to pur-

chase a quantity of Arms, and it will give me great pleasure to examine your manufacture

with a view to a purchase.

I am Gents, Very Truly

Your Obedient Servant

J. Gregory Smith

State of Ohio

Executive Department

Columbus, Apr. 4, 1864

E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, New York

Gentlemen,

Your favor of March 8th came duly to hand and with it the two cases of pistols. For the

one you have so beautifully embellished with the State Coat of Arms, I tender you my

most cordial thanks.

I have delayed replying to your note for the passage of our appropriation bill. At pres-

ent I desire to order for the use of our penitentiary one dozen of the Revolvers similar to

the plain specimen sent me, as which you may regard that as one of the order. I am not

prepared at present to make further orders, but shall probably do so hereafter. How soon

and at what price will the present order be filled? The officials at the prison are anxious to

get them as soon as practicable.

Very Respectfully

Jno. Brough

P.S. For the account accompanying the above order, please send the bills in duplicate,

either receipted, or by express with authority to receipt here. If receipted we will send

draft on New York without charges.14

A few years ago, I was privileged to correspond with a descendant of the Civil War governor

of Vermont. I was delighted to find that the ivory-stocked revolver sent to his great-great-grand-

father was still in his possession. The case and accoutrements had been misplaced many years

before, and the revolver showed the ravages of three generations of children playing “cowboys

and Indians.” Surprisingly, the ivory grips were intact, and the Vermont coat of arms and Federal

eagle are still discernable (figure 62).

J. Gregory Smith, governor of Vermont, had maintained a family residence in St. Albans.

The astute reader will notice that his letter to Remington was written from that location rather

than the capital, Montpelier. Smith’s descendant, John G. Smith, was kind enough to share a

copy of a letter written to the governor by his wife, shortly after the St. Albans Raid. This was

the northernmost skirmish of the Civil War and occurred on October 19, 1864. Twenty-two

Southern sympathizers crossed the international border from Canada, robbed three banks of

approximately two hundred thousand dollars, and fled back over the border. On the following

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REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

day the governor’s wife wrote a letter to her husband detailing her account of the raid. She

stated that she had “ordered the house shut and locked, hunting myself for weapons, but noth-

ing could be found but your carved pistol empty.”

The serial number of the Vermont revolver is 10. I have examined the Missouri

revolver, with serial number 19 (figure 63). The Illinois state seal specimen is in a private

collection and carries serial number 4 (figure 64). No letters have surfaced for the latter

two specimens.

The Remington Army Revolver came to the attention of some high-ranking army officers

without Remington’s promotion. In April 1864 Ramsey responded to a letter from Quarter

Master General Montgomery C. Meigs.

Ordnance Office

Washington, April 7, 1864

Genl. M. C. Meigs

Q. M. Genl.

Washington City

Sir,

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 5th inst. and to inform you that you can pay for

the two Remington Army size Revolvers and Belt Holsters in your charge to Mr. E. W.

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Figure 62Ivory grip panels on Vermont State Seal Remington Army Revolver, serial number 10. (Author’s photograph,John G. Smith collection)

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REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Stebbins P.M. and Mil. Storekeeper at Washington Arsenal the cost price of the articles

being twelve ($12.) dollars each for the revolvers and one dollar each for the Holsters.

Respectfully

Geo D. Ramsey

Bv. General. Chief of Ord15

It would seem that Meigs was a two-gun general, or more possibly had ordered a second revolver

for one of his subordinates. This letter confirms my previous statement that revolvers were

issued only to enlisted army personnel. Officers, whatever their rank, were responsible for sup-

plying their own arms.

In May, Remington offered five thousand second-class revolvers to the Ordnance

Department. They sent two samples to the department; these were referred to Thornton for his

inspection. He made his report on June 6:

EXPERIMENTS ON SMALL ARMS, (CLASS 6.)

Office of the Inspector of Contract Arms

June 6, 1864

General G. D. Ramsey

Chief of Ordnance

Sir

I have the honor to inform you that I have inspected the Army pistols, comprised of sec-

onds and defective parts, presented by Messrs. E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, N.Y., pur-

suant to their proposal of May 13, 1864 to supply 5,000 like pistols at $12. and respecting

which I have to report.

Figure 63Missouri State Seal Remington Army Revolver, in original case with appendages. (Author’s photograph)

Barrel No. 70,321 has no indicative marks to indicate it has been proven. Its front

sight orifice has been drilled so deep, that it shows through into the bore. This defect in

workmanship is a just cause for rejection, and it is supposed that for said cause it was not

submitted for inspection and proof.

Frame No. 70,321 is not sound in material around center pin hole and in the hammer

mortises, and it is presumed that for said cause it was not offered for inspection.

The lever plug is roughly finished, its catch is slit one sided, the center pin is milled

uneven in thickness. The hammer is soft as is shown by the batter of its face, and stock is sea-

son checked at butts. In a regular inspection the said causes would justify the rejection of the

parts so defective. Barrel No. 64,620 has been proven. Its front sight orifice has been drilled so

deep as to show through into the bore. It is also torn in the rifling, and for this reason it was

rejected in the regular inspection and stamped with the letter “C”—condemned.

Frame No. 66,042 has slag in its materials and has been torn in milling at its base. It

is roughly finished in its cylinder mortise, which defects caused its rejection in regular

inspection and the marking of it with the letter “C.”

The cylinder is not numbered. It is cut in its bore in tapping the cone orifices. It has a

seam in its materials near one of the bolt notches, and from said causes it was rejected in

regular inspection and marked “C.”

The lever plug is rough in finish, its catch is slit one sided and is roughly finished.

The hammer is scant in material at shoulder, the sear spring hole is one sided. The stock

is of soft timber and rough in finish. Which causes would justify rejections of the parts in

a regular inspection. The remaining components of the samples are of good materials and

102

CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 64Ivory grip panels on Illinois State Seal Remington Army Revolver, serial number 4. (Author’s photograph,J. D. Hofer Collection).

workmanship. They have been combined with the defective parts to furnish a pistol for

sale in the market. The good of the Service demands that so far as is possible, none but

first class arms shall be supplied, and I cannot therefore recommend the acceptance of

such pistols, for by so doing, I would be virtually recommending abandonment of the

Inspection of small arms.

Respecting the price, Messrs. Remington claims that because of the late increase of

duty on materials, they should be allowed the full contract price of $12. each for the pis-

tols, and if the Government will not pay said price, but would allow exportations, they

can get $15. each.

As to the claim, I believe the greater portion of the 5,000 pistols were manufactured

before the increased duty was imposed, and if they had been of good materials and work-

manship, they would have been accepted, and thereby the makers would have accrued

their contract value, and the present wants of the Government would have been reduced.

If it is imperative to accept arms comprised of defective parts assembled with good

parts, then as the rejected pieces cost the contractors less for workmanship, a reduction in

price should be such as to offer no inducements in manufacturing such arms. I think Ten

dollars would be a fair valuation for the pistols, with the usual appendages and in their

acceptance they should be inspected to determine that the parts are sound & that the bar-

rels have been proven.

Respectfully, I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant

W. A. Thornton, Col. of Ord.16

This report is very informative, as it contains serial numbers. The highest of these, 70,321, is

especially important as it is indicative of the number of army revolvers manufactured by

Remington prior to submitting these two samples to the department. Thornton seems to have

transposed numbers on the second revolver; I can assume that it was either 66,042 or 64,620.

Either of these serial numbers can be used to show evidence of the high percentage of rejects, or

as Thornton pointed out with number 70,321, the revolver had not been submitted for inspec-

tion to avoid being condemned. The number of revolvers delivered on contract at this time was

approximately fifty-one thousand, with total production over seventy thousand. It is a simple

matter to judge the high number of flawed revolvers (figure 65).

Thornton forwarded the report to Ramsey; he, in turn, recommended their purchase to the

War Department. The approval was forthcoming, but Ramsey did not notify Remington until

July 8:

Gentlemen,

Be pleased to furnish for the use of this Department arms delivered at your Armory, 5,000

2nd class Army Revolvers similar to sample which accompanied your letter of May 13th.

They are to be subject to such inspection as Col. Thornton may deem necessary.

You will be paid at the rate of Ten dollars ($10.) for each Revolver including

Appendages upon the usual Certificates of Inspection and receipt in such funds as the

Treasury Department may furnish.17

103

REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

104

CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 65Remington Army Revolver condemned bar-rel, cylinder, and frame. (Author’s collection)

Figure 66Maine State Seal Remington Army Revolver in original case. Powder flask and bullet mold are replacementappendages. (Author’s photograph)

Shortly thereafter, Remington again contacted Ramsey and requested that the order be

revoked. Their request was forwarded by Ramsey to the secretary of war with the follow-

ing endorsement:

Endorsement. Remington & Son acknowledge letter of the 8th with order for 5,000

revolvers, and request that said order be canceled.

Ordnance Office

July 19, 1864

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. On the 6th July inst., I recommended to

the Secretary on their offer, to purchase of Remington & Son 5,000 Revolvers at $10. each,

including appendages. This was approved.

The conditions were that the Revolvers be inspected by Col. Thornton. Remington &

Son now state that such an inspection would interfere with or retard the inspection of

pistols under their contract, and ask that the order be canceled. As these pistols are not

first class, I recommend that the order be canceled.18

On July 23, Ramsey sent the following to Remington:

Gentlemen,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of you letter of the 10th inst., and inform you that

in compliance with your request, the order to you from this office of July 8th is

hereby canceled.19

The excuse Remington offered in withdrawing from this order was that the inspection would

delay the delivery of contract arms; but I suspect they were disappointed in the low price offered

and also wanted to avoid the critical inspection by Thornton.

Near the end of June, Remington began receiving replies from governors to whom they had

presented the embellished revolvers earlier in the month. The first was from Pennsylvania,

closely followed by replies from Maryland, Delaware, and Maine (figure 66). The reply from

California did not arrive until August. The responses all expressed gratitude for the revolvers

received but also conveyed regrets that the states were not now purchasing arms. I am aware of

only two orders that resulted from these solicitations. The first was the insignificant twelve

revolvers for the state penal system of Ohio. The second was more substantial. In August, they

received the following from the quartermaster general of the State of New Jersey:

Office of the Quartermaster General

Trenton, August 8, 1864

E. Remington, Esq.

Ilion, Herkimer Co., N.Y.

Sir,—I hereby offer you an order to furnish the State of New Jersey with one thousand

(1,000) Remington army pistols, calibre .44, each to be accompanied with a screwdriver

and cone wrench. These arms are to be in all respects equal in quality of material, finish

105

REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

and workmanship to the sample pistol deposited by you at this office on the 2d instant.

They are to be subject to inspection by State inspectors, and none will be received or paid

for but such as pass inspection and are passed by the State Inspectors.

These 1,000 pistols are to be delivered at the State Arsenal, Trenton, within thirty

days from the date hereof.

Payments will be made in United States certificates of indebtedness at par, at the rate

of twelve dollars for each pistol, including the screwdriver and cone wrench.

Please signify in writing your acceptance or non-acceptance of the above order, on the

terms and conditions herein specified.

Very respectfully, Your ob’t servant,

[signed] L. Perrine, Q. M. Gen’l. N. J.

The above order was declined, and accepted by a verbal agreement that the pistols would

be paid for at the rate of $12.68 each.

[signed] L. Perrine, Q. M. Gen’l. N. J.20

Further examination of the records of the quartermaster general reveals that New Jersey had

also purchased 976 navy revolvers from Eli Whitney in 1863. All but 128 of these were later sold

to the Ordnance Department. The quartermaster general’s report for 1865 for ordnance and ord-

nance stores in inventory shows the following:

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CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 67Civil War trooper with his New Model ArmyRevolver. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, in State Arsenal, Nov. 30, 1865

128 pistols, Whitney’s revolvers, calibre .36

1,000 pistols, Remington’s revolvers, calibre .44

1,900 sets pistol appendages21

This information indicates that none of the Remington revolvers purchased by the State

of New Jersey during the war were issued. I have had the opportunity to examine many spec-

imens, most of which are in very good to fine condition. We are fortunate that the armorer

at the state arsenal in Trenton saw fit to mark these revolvers with the letters “NJ” to iden-

tify them as state property. There were two set of dies used for this purpose, one quite larger

than the other. Revolvers stamped with a 1/16-inch die are usually marked in two locations,

on the left side of the frame below the cylinder and on the left barrel flat (figure 68). The

larger 1/8-inch die stamps were applied only to the left barrel flat (figure 69). Most of these

revolvers have partial sub-inspectors’ markings but are without cartouches. The serial num-

bers are usually in the 58,000–75,000 range, but it is possible that there are lower numbers.

There is no mention of bullet molds as part of the appendages. As of this writing, a

Remington mold with NJ marks has not been brought to my attention, but I have observed

Whitney molds so marked.

In examining these revolvers, I have seen obvious reasons why some were not submitted to

ordnance inspectors; on others, there are no visible signs to indicate why they were not

inspected. The New Jersey quartermaster general had indicated in his order that these were to be

inspected by state inspectors. I suspect that Remington culled the best of their second-class

revolvers to fill this order.

These revolvers were in inventory at the New Jersey state arsenal for many years before being

sold to arms dealers. Some were later nickel plated before being sold to the public.

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REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Figure 68Remington Army Revolverwith first variation NewJersey stamps on barrel andframe. (Author’s collection)

Remington’s current revolver contract with the department was due to expire on July 31. It

specified a total of 64,900 revolvers; the company had delivered only 25,000 by July 7. On July 9,

they requested an extension, and on July 13, Ramsey responded with the following telegram:

Telegram

Your letter of the 9th received. How long an extension of time will you require to complete

Contract for Pistols?22

Remington answered the following day:

Office of U.S. Military Telegraph

The following Telegram received at Washington 2 P.M. July 14, 1864

Brig. Genl. Ramsey

Five months but hope to complete the contract sooner.23

Remington followed this with a letter to Ramsey on the fifteenth:

Sir,

We beg leave to acknowledge receipt of your telegram under date of 13th inst. inquiring

how long an extension we will require to complete contract for pistols.

We replied to your inquiry by telegraph, that we would require five months, but we

would respectfully state, that if we meet no unlooked for interruption in the prosecution of

our work, we shall endeavor to complete the contract in a shorter time, and shall spare no

effort in our power to expedite the delivery of the arms.24

On the following day, Ramsey submitted Remington’s request to Stanton’s office:

Endorsement on application of Remington & Son for an extension of time on their con-

tract for pistols.

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CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 69Remington Army Revolverwith second variation NewJersey stamp only on barrel.(Author’s collection)

Ordnance Office

July 16, 1864

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. Remington & Sons ask for an extension of

five months on their contract for revolvers.

This contract was awarded on the 21st Nov. 1863, for 64,900 revolvers and expires by

limitation on the 31st inst. Twenty four thousand have been delivered, thirty thousand five

hundred forfeited, and ten thousand four hundred are due.

Among other causes of delay, as represented by the parties, was the loss of a shipment

of iron from Liverpool, and the great difficulty of procuring the requisite skilled laborers

has been another source of disappointment and delay. The first reason assigned, would in

my judgment, be sufficient cause for an extension to the extent to which the parties were

retarded by the loss of the iron. The other reason alleged would seem to be common to all

contractors, and if admitted as valid in this case must be in all similar cases. On the

other hand, the reason for granting the request may be found in the fact that the pistols

will be required and could not be obtained at probably so cheap a rate—nor the same

amount within the time specified, provided the deliveries are promptly up to time.

Pending this contract, that is to say, on the 8th inst. Remington & Sons offered to this

Department 5,000 revolvers which have been accepted subject to inspection.25

Stanton approved the extension, and Ramsey notified Remington on July 20:

Gentlemen,

Your letter of the 9th inst. requesting an extension of time for the delivery of the pistols

called for by your Contract of Nov. 23rd, 1863, was received, duly considered, and submit-

ted to the Secretary of War, with the recommendation that the forfeiture be waived and

the time of delivery be extended so as to expire January 1st 1865—which recommendation

has been approved. Col. Thornton has been notified to this effect.26

Approximately two weeks after receiving this extension on their existing contract,

Remington sought a new contract from the department. Ramsey submitted their proposal to the

secretary of war on August 8:

Endorsement. E. Remington & Sons will complete their contract in a short time and

desire to know whether a further contract is needed.

Ordnance Office

August 8, 1864

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. There are due from Remington & Sons, on

their contract for 64,900 revolvers 35,900, from Starr Arms Co. 6,000, from C. B. Hoard

3,000 and 26,000 on hand, for which the contract price is $12.

The proposition of Remington & Sons to furnish 50,000 Revolvers with usual

appendages at $17. each—the deliveries at the rate of 1,000 per month to commence on

completion of present contract, say 15th Sept. From the foregoing it will be seen that we

109

REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

have on hand and under contract 70,900 revolvers. The present effective force of the cav-

alry may be set down at 115,000 and allowing but two weapons to each man, one a sabre,

we shall have on hand a sufficient number of revolvers with the 89,000 carbines with

metallic cartridges to be furnished between 1st Nov. 1864 and 1st May 1865, to give one

revolver or one carbine, or rather enough to effectively equip 160,000 men—45,000 in

excess of the present cavalry force.

My opinion is that the supply of revolvers has been entirely too lavish—they have

been issued to everybody, and without corresponding benefit. The artillery has little or no

use for revolvers—and no instance can be cited that I am aware of where the artillery has

been called upon to use them. In like manner their use with the cavalry is in some degree

doubtful—the carbine is their proper arm, and to use it effectively, is to use it on foot. I

made it a particular subject of inquiry when Chief of Ordnance to the Army of

Occupation in Mexico, and I could not find or hear of a single instance in which either

cavalry or artillery had used the pistol in battle. It is very difficult on horseback to load a

revolver, and when the horse is in motion, quite impossible. For personal defense, for

scouting and such purposes, the revolver is undoubtedly a valuable and desirable weapon;

but for the general service, I have no doubt the issue of revolvers could be most advanta-

geously curtailed. In the case before me involving an increase in cost of three dollars each

on so large a proportion (50,000) I am not prepared, as I have no data before me, except

the increased value of everything, to give an opinion. The only proper test is that of open

proposals in the market, and which I am constrained to recommend. Since the beginning

of the War up to the 1st July, there have been purchased some 290,000 revolvers.

Please see summary of reports on the Remington Revolver herewith27

There appear to be some discrepancies in this report. Ramsey stated that Remington was

seeking seventeen dollars for their revolvers and offered that this was a price increase of three dol-

lars. There also seems to be some confusion about the contract expiration date. Regardless, this

was a very inopportune time for Remington to request an increase in price, as the department had

finally managed to accumulate an excess of revolvers (twenty-six thousand by Ramsey’s account)

and the department advised Remington that no further revolvers would be needed.

Remington was disappointed at the recent rate of inflation and the new duties (taxes) that

had been imposed by the government on imported materials. Shortly after being advised that

there would be no more revolver contracts, they sought an increase in price for their current

contract. On August 15, their request was submitted to Stanton’s office:

Endorsement, on request of Remington and Son, that in view of increased price of materi-

als, $14. instead of $12. be allowed them on their contract for 64,900 Army Pistols.

Ordnance Office

August 15, 1864

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. Messrs. Remington & Sons ask that in view

of the increased price of labor and materials that the price of the revolvers to be delivered

under their contract to expire in Sept. next, be increased from $12. to $14.

110

CHAPTER FOUR

This contract was entered into the 21st, Nov. 1863 and was for the large number of

64,900 Army size Pistols—they having at the same time a contract for 40,000 rifle mus-

kets, which they took at $16. each, which was increased to $18. on the 4th December,

before any deliveries had been made. Their failure to come up to the conditions of their

contract was as follows; their first delivery was to be, in January 6,000, when they deliv-

ered 2,500. In January they forfeited 3,500, in February 4,000, in March, 5,500, in April

6,400, in May 6,400, in June 4,000, and in July 4,400—equal to 34,200—having delivered

in that time less than half of what they undertook to do. The contract will expire next

month and there are still due thereon 34,900 pistols.

It will thus be seen how far the contract has been complied with. It has been in exis-

tence eight months, during which time the market has gradually undergone a great

advance—but as Messrs. R. & Sons might have easily anticipated this advance, and as

they knew the quantity of material necessary to complete their contract, which was ample

security to authorize them to make due provisions for its fulfillment. Their want of fore-

sight must necessarily fall upon themselves. In view of these facts, I cannot see how their

request can be granted, without at the same time diminishing in the same ratio, all other

contracts now in existence, and cannot therefore recommend it.

Geo. D. Ramsey, Brig. Genl., Chf. Ord.28

There is no doubt that inflation had diminished the profits Remington had anticipated on their

contract. Prices had nearly doubled since the war had begun. Ramsey stated that Remington should

have anticipated the stock of materials needed to complete the revolvers and purchased them when

the contract was let. He failed to take into consideration the challenge facing all contractors when

seeking raw gun materials. There were acute shortages, and gun iron and steel were at a premium.

Prices for these goods would probably have soared higher, if not constrained by the limits that con-

tractors could afford to reasonably pay and still make a profit. Needless to say, the government did

not acquiesce, and all of the revolvers accepted in 1864 were delivered at twelve dollars.

A few days later, on August 18, Remington sent a letter of complaint to the department:

Sir,

We regret to say that our work is being retarded at present in consequence of the effect of

the anticipated draft, upon our workmen, some of whom have already enlisted, under the

inducements now being offered volunteers, and others having left with the view of enlisting

for the purpose of evading the draft (about 75 in all) from our works here and in Utica.

We cannot yet determine how much further we may be interrupted or retarded from

this cause, but from present indications, apprehend that we may lose many more of our

workmen before 1st Sept. Among those who leave us are some whose places we cannot sup-

ply without more or less delay. We shall use our best endeavors to retain as far as possible

those whose services are most essential in the prosecution of the work, and hope we may

so far succeed as to avoid any serious interruption and delay.

We have thought it proper however to apprise you of our present situation, and

of the difficulties under which we are now laboring, and in this connection, would

111

REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

respectfully beg leave to call your attention to the enclosed circular of Provost Marshall

Genl. Fry, which will, we think, in its operation effect very injuriously the interests of

private contractors, employed upon Government work and indirectly the interests of the

Government also.

Several of our workmen, having observed this circular, issued by General Fry, have

given intimation that they should seek employment in the U.S. Armory, expecting thus to

secure exemption from the draft.

If the circular should remain unmodified it would appear to make an unjust

discrimination between mechanics and operators employed in the National Armory

and Arsenals and the same class of mechanics employed upon Government work

in private armories.

If it should be deemed improper or inexpedient to make any change or modification

of the order referred to, at this time, we hope as a simple matter of justice to contractors,

that workmen leaving their employ, will not for the present, be permitted to obtain

employment in the Government Armory or Arsenals.

The following circular was included with the above correspondence (figure 70):

112

CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 70Provost Marshall James B. Fry.(Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Circular

GOVERNMENT MECHANICS AND OPERATORS EXEMPTED

The following circular of the Provost-Marshal-General has been promulgated.

Provost Marshal General’s Office

Washington, July 26, 1864

“Circular No. 28. Skilled mechanics and operatives employed in the armories, arse-

nals and navy yards of the United States, who shall be drafted, and on examination

held to service, will not be required to report for duty under such draft so long as they

remain in the aforesaid service; provided the officer in charge shall certify that their

labor as mechanics or operatives is necessary for the naval or military service.”

James B. Fry, Provost Marshal General29

I have not been able to ascertain if any steps were taken to alleviate the difficulties of which

Remington complained. Acquiring and keeping skilled mechanics was a problem common to all

arms contractors.

On September 12, 1864, after serving forty-four years in the army, Ramsey, then sixty-two,

retired from active duty. His successor was the commander of the Springfield Armory, Maj.

Alexander B. Dyer. Dyer was promoted to brigadier general and appointed to the post of chief

of ordnance on the same day that Ramsey retired (figure 71).

With a new chief of ordnance installed in Washington, Remington decided to again test the

environment for an additional revolver contract. After reviewing the facts, Dyer sent the follow-

ing letter to Stanton on September 23:

113

REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Figure 71Chief of ordnance, Gen. Alexander B. Dyer.(Courtesy: National Archives)

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge the report to this office of a letter from E. Remington &

Sons in relation to their contract for Revolvers and asking for an additional contract; and

on the subject have to report:

On the 21st of November 1863, a contract was made by this Department with these

gentlemen for the delivery of 64,900 Revolvers and appendages at $12. On the 6th August

1864, the firm addresses to you a letter in which they stated that owing to the great

advance in materials and labor over what existed at the time the contract was made, and

which was not anticipated, the cost of the pistols was so much increased as to compel

them to request that they might be allowed $14. each for those remaining to be delivered

on their contract (32,700).

The Chief of Ordnance, in view of the fact that Remington & Sons were largely

behind hand [sic] in making their Carbines and for other reasons, declined to make an

increase in price.

Subsequently the application for a new contract for 40 to 50,000 Revolvers at $17.

each was made, Messrs. R & Sons stating that it was highly important and necessary for

them to know immediately whether more work would be required of them, in order that

they might provide stock and make arrangements for forging the parts &c. The applica-

tion was referred to the Chief of Ordnance, who reported that the Revolvers were not

required, and therefore ought not to be purchased.

After a full consideration of the subject, I am decidedly of opinion that it is not expe-

dient to give Messrs. Remington & Sons an order for 40,000 pistols at $17. but in view of

the fact that they have endeavored faithfully, as I believe, to comply with all the terms of

the contract; that they furnished their pistols at so much lower prices than the

Government have previously obtained revolvers of like quality and finish, thereby aiding

the Government in reducing the cost price of these arms, and that it is in the interest of

Government that they should not cease to manufacture Revolvers.

I therefore recommend that a contract be given them for 20,000 revolvers and

appendages at $15.50 each ($15.50); and I further recommend that a contract for 15,000 of

their breech loaders be given to them at ($23.) twenty three dollars each. I have seen the

carbine thoroughly tested, and am convinced that it is one of the best breech loaders

which was brought to the notice of the Department, and that the price named is lower

than is now paid by the Department for inferior arms.30

Dyer was much more lenient with Remington than his predecessor. His recent tenure as com-

mander of the Springfield Armory made him much more aware of the difficulties faced by arms

manufacturers. His high regard for Remington’s carbines also probably influenced his decision.

Dyer’s recommendations were immediately approved, and on the same day he notified Remington:

Sirs:

I have to inform you that the Secretary of War has approved the recommendation of this

office to give you a contract for 20,000 revolvers at $15.50 each; and for 15,000 of your

114

CHAPTER FOUR

breech-loading carbines at $23. each; contracts for which will be prepared and forwarded

to you without delay.31

Later on the same day, Dyer again contacted Remington with an inquiry:

Sirs:

In accordance with authority received from the Secretary of War, I am now ready to enter

into a contract with you for 20,000 revolvers for at $15.50 each; and for 15,000 of your

breech-loading carbines at $23. each. Be pleased to state at once the rate at which you feel

confidant of delivering them.32

Dyer was extremely busy on September 23. In addition to the above letters, he also sent a rec-

ommendation to Stanton concerning duties for Ramsey subsequent to his retirement:

Sir,

For the purpose of extending the duty assigned to Brig. Genl. Ripley, by direction of the

President, in Special Orders No. 434, of 1863, of inspecting the armaments of the forts and

other sea coast defenses of the New England States, so as to include the armaments of such

Forts and defenses, I respectfully suggest and recommend that a similar order be issued

assigning Brig. Gen. Geo. D. Ramsey to the same duty in regard to permanent fortifica-

tions and other sea coast defenses on the Atlantic and Lake coasts from the Harbor of

New York to Fort Monroe, Beaufort Harbor inclusive.

I would further recommend that each of these officers be directed to make their report

of the condition of the armaments of the various works, and of the quantity, quality and

condition of the ammunition therein, with such suggestions in relation thereto, as the

public service may require, to the Secretary of War, through the Ordnance Office.33

In present times, we may not comprehend that retirement from the military did not equate

to a pension. The duties suggested by Dyer would allow Ramsey to receive a monthly stipend

without the rigors and day-to-day pressures of active duty.

Dyer’s recommendations were adopted, and President Lincoln appointed Ramsey to the post

suggested. Both Ripley and Ramsey were later promoted to brevet major general in 1865; Ripley

served as inspector of armament and forts until 1869, while Ramsey similarly served until 1870.

Although Remington had been advised that new contracts were being prepared, Dyer did

not forward them for signature until October 13:

Gentlemen,

I transmit copies in quintuplicate of two contracts as follows: One for 20,000 Revolvers

and one for 15,000 Carbines, which you will please execute and return.34

The new revolver contract specified that deliveries were to be made in January, February,

and March 1865 (figure 72). This was more than six thousand revolvers a month, an increase of

at least one thousand a month over their current deliveries.

115

REMINGTON’S THIRD ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

Remington returned the contracts to the department on October 25:

Sir,

We have the honor to return herewith quintuplicate copies of contracts for 15,000

Remington Carbines and 20,000 Army Revolvers, duly executed.35

On November 2, these contracts were submitted to Stanton for his approval:

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit for approval the following contracts.

Norwich Arms Co. 15,000 Rifle Muskets

Edward Robinson 7,000 Rifle Muskets

Mr. G. D. Mann 20,000 Sets Cavalry Accts.

Moores & Co. 6,000 Sets Horse Equip’ts

E. Remington & Sons 15,000 Remington Carbines

E. Remington & Sons 20,000 Revolvers36

The two Remington contracts were approved and signed on November 21.

The company completed their current contract, delivering nine thousand revolvers to

Thornton in December, surpassing all previous efforts. A total of 57,005 army revolvers were

delivered in 1864. When this contract was concluded, I estimate the serial numbers reached

approximately 123,000. All of the revolvers were of the same pattern with no improvements.

Remington had delivered 9,850 army revolvers in 1862 and 29,908 in 1863; adding the 1864 deliv-

eries, the total was now 96,763. This figure included the 850 Beals Armies, under the order of

1861, and the 700 second-class revolvers accepted in July 1863.

I have compiled the department’s records to show each delivery of revolvers in 1864 and

include a record of Thornton’s receipts:

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CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 72Large frame Remington Split-Breech Carbine. (Courtesy:Roy Marcot)

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TRemington Army Revolver Deliveries, November 21, 1863, Contract

PURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 8 1 New Model Army Revolvers $11 82 $11 82 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 21 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 11 82 11,082 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 28 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Feb. 6 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Feb. 15 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Feb. 20 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Feb. 29 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Mar. 5 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Mar. 17 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Mar. 18 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Mar. 29 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Apr. 2 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Apr. 8 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Apr. 20 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 May 4 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 May 4 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 May 16 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

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PURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

Remington & Sons 1864 May 27 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 May 31 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 4 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 11 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 15 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 18 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 28 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 28 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 7 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 15 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 21 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 27 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 4 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 9 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 15 1,002 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,024 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 22 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 25 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 3 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

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TRemington & Sons 1864 Sep. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 23 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 4 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 11 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 22 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 25 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 3 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 16 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 24 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 26 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 3 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 8 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 12 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 16 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 20 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 26 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 26 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 31 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 31 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 12 00 12,000 00 Nov. 21, 1863

TOTAL 57,003

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”

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ROrdnance Inspector’s “Memorandum of Receipts”

“Memorandum of Receipts of 64,900 ARMY REVOLVERS from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their CONTRACTS from

CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated November 21, 1863”

DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1864 Book No.

Jan. 1 — — — Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 3 Army Revolvers

Jan. 8 4 I. A. 1 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 9 4 I. A. 1 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 20 7 I. A. 2 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 300 Army Revolvers

Jan. 21 7 I. A. 2 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Jan. 28 10 I. A. 2 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 200 Army Revolvers

Jan. 29 10 I. A. 3 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 6 12 I. A. 3 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 15 15 I. A. 4 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 20 17 I. A. 5 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 22 17 I. A. 4 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Feb. 29 19 I. A. 6 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 5 20 I. A. 7 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 7 22 I. A. 7 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 500 Army Revolvers

Mar. 17 23 I. A. 8 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 18 24 I. A. 9 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 29 27 I. A. 10 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Apr. 2 28 I. A. 11 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

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TApr. 8 31 I. A. 12 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Apr. 19 33 I. A. 13 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

May 4 37 I. A. 14 & 15 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 2,000 Army Revolvers

May 16 40 I. A. 16 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

May 27 44 I. A. 17 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

May 31 45 I. A. 18 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jun. 4 46 I. A. 19 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jun. 11 48 I. A. 20 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jun. 15 49 I. A. 21 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jun. 18 50 I. A. 22 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jun. 28 53 I. A. 23 & 24 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 2,000 Army Revolvers

Jul. 7 54 I. A. 25 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jul. 14 54 I. A. 26 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jul. 15 59 I. A. 27 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jul. 26 61 I. A. 28 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jul. 27 61 I. A. 29 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Aug. 4 63 I. A. 30 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Aug. 9 64 I. A. 31 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Aug. 15 66 I. A. 32 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,002 Army Revolvers

Aug. 22 68 I. A. 33 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Aug. 25 71 I. A. 34 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Sep. 3 72 I. A. 35 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Sep. 14 74 I. A. 36 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

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RDATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTION

REPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER1864 Book No.

Sep. 14 74 I. A. 37 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Sep. 23 79 I. A. 38 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Oct. 1 80 I. A. 39 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Oct. 4 81 I. A. 40 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Oct. 11 81 I. A. 41 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Oct. 22 86 I. A. 42 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Oct. 28 88 I. A. 43 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Nov. 3 90 I. A. 44 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Nov. 14 92 I. A. 45 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Nov. 16 93 I. A. 46 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Nov. 24 95 I. A. 47 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Nov. 26 96 I. A. 48 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 3 98 I. A. 49 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 8 100 I. A. 50 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 12 102 I. A. 51 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 16 102 I. A. 52 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 20 103 I. A. 53 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 26 104 I. A. 54 & 55 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 2,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 30 104 I. A. 56 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Dec. 31 104 I. A. 57 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Total 57,005

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Remington’s Fourth

Army Revolver Contract

I n this brief chapter, I shall discuss the revolvers delivered on Remington’s final revolver

contract signed October 24, 1864. The contract called for twenty thousand army

revolvers to be delivered in the first three months of 1865 at the rate of not less than seven

thousand per month. I shall also give a brief summary of all Remington revolvers deliv-

ered to the Ordnance Department during the war (figure 73).

Remington entered into this final contract with determination. There was an addi-

tional incentive of $3.50 for each revolver delivered, which would accrue an extra

$70,000. Some manufacturers would have found this temptation irresistible and held

back deliveries on the contract just expired. This would have permitted the luxury of

delivering the withheld revolvers at a larger profit. Apparently, this thought never

occurred to Remington. Although their profit margin was minimal, they made a heroic

effort to supply all of the revolvers possible on their old contract and delivered a record

nine thousand to Thornton in December 1864. They evidently scraped the bottom of the

barrel in doing this, as they did not deliver the first two lots of revolvers on the new con-

tract until January 12, 1865.

On the day they delivered these lots, Col. William Maynadier, the acting head of the

department during Dyer’s temporary absence, made a request of Remington:

Gentlemen,

I have to request that you will make and forward to this office as soon as practicable

a complete list of the component parts of the Remington Carbine and Revolver with

the relative value of each. The price of each part should be adjusted that their total

amounts will equal the price paid for the complete arms under your last contract.1

Three days later, Dyer forwarded certificates of release to Remington:

Gentlemen,

I transmit herewith, duly signed Certificates of Release, in duplicate for Rifle

Muskets and Revolving Pistols delivered in the months of October, November, &

December 1864 under your contracts dated prior to July 1st, 1864.2

123

These certificates were necessary for Remington to submit their claims for payment. After sub-

mission to the government auditor, there would still be a lapse before the monies were deposited

to the company’s credit. Accordingly, we can comprehend the many complaints to the depart-

ment over delinquent payments.

Remington delivered sixty-five hundred revolvers to Thornton in January, five hundred

short of the specified number. This tardiness would create problems for them upon the con-

tract’s completion.

Although not pertinent to the Remington story, the following letter elaborates on the then

current wage rate:

Springfield Armory

Feb. 1, 1865

Mr. Geo. Burdick

Bridesburg, Pa.

Sir,

In reply to your application of the 29th ulto, I have to say that I can employ good tool

makers at $3.00 to $3.50 per day according to capabilities.

Very Respectfully Yours &c

T. T. S. Laidley, Major of Ord. Comdg.3

Laidley had been appointed commander of Springfield Armory, replacing Dyer on his appoint-

ment to chief of ordnance. The wages stated by Laidley also reflected inflation, as the position

referred to would have paid less than two dollars per day in 1861.

On February 22, Remington responded to the department’s request of January 12:

Sir,

We have the honor to hand you herewith, list of component parts of the Harper Ferry

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CHAPTER FIVE

Figure 73Last variation New Model Army Revolver. (Author’s collection)

Rifle and Remington Army Revolver with prices therefore, agreeable to your request.

A similar list of parts of our Breechloading Carbine with prices for same will

be sent forward so soon as it can be obtained from the parties who are at present

manufacturing the Carbines for us. We should have transmitted the enclosed lists

before, but have deferred sending them expecting to have received the one for the

Carbine ere this, the completion of which, for some cause, unknown to us, had

been temporarily delayed.4

The following list of parts was included:

Price of Component Parts of Remington’s Army Pistols. January 1865

Frame 4.25

Cylinder 2.65

Barrel 2.35

Guard .65

Lever 1.00

Lever Plunger .14

Lever Link Lever Complete $1.35 .08

Lever Catch .08

Lever Catch Spring .05

Center Pin .14

Center Pin Spring .05

Hammer .65

Hammer Cam Hammer Complete $.77 .06

Hammer Roll .06

Trigger .30

Bolt .36

Main Spring .30

Sear Spring .08

Pawl .22

Pawl Spring .02

Barrel Stud .08

Front Sight .08

7 Cones 10 cents each .70

8 Screws 25 cents each .20

Stock .45

Screw Driver .20

Total $15.505

The Remington employee responsible for making this list did not verify his figures. My total

for the combined parts is $15.20. Remington included a parts list for the carbines but did not

provide their individual prices.

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REMINGTON’S FOURTH ARMY REVOLVER CONTRACT

126

CHAPTER FIVE

By February 20, Remington had delivered twelve thousand revolvers. With no foreseeable

problems precluding completion of their contract by the end of March, they requested an addi-

tional contract on February 24. Dyer responded on the twenty-seventh:

Gentlemen,

Your offer of the 24th inst. to furnish 20,000 Pistols for $14. each is declined, the depart-

ment having sufficient supply on hand.6

The war was winding to a close, with no need for additional revolvers. Many of the

Remington revolvers accepted in the final months of the conflict would remain unissued in gov-

ernment arsenals for several years.

The company continued revolver deliveries until March 24. On this day, Thornton, accepting

the last lot of revolvers at their armory, received five hundred of the one thousand revolvers offered

but refused the second five hundred on the grounds that they had been forfeited by nondelivery

the previous January. This caveat had been a condition of all previous contracts between the

department and Remington, but this was the first instance in which the receiving officer had

invoked the option. Thornton’s actions perturbed Remington, who immediately telegraphed Dyer:

Office U.S. Military Telegraph

War Department

The following telegram received at Washington, 10:40 P.M. Mch 24, 1865

From Ilion N.Y.

Brig. Genl. A. B. Dyer

Chf. Ord.

Col. Thornton objects to taking (500) of the Twenty thousand (20,000) pistols now com-

pleted. Is that right?7

On the following day, Remington sent additional details to the department:

Sir,

Col. Thornton does [not] feel at liberty to receive 500 of the Army Pistols completed under

our present contract, upon the ground that 500 were forfeited for nondelivery in the

month of January last as stipulated in the contract. In regard to this we beg leave to say

that, although but 6,500 pistols were delivered during that month, the requisite number

(7,000) were completed and would have been delivered but for the temporary delay occa-

sioned by want of a sufficient number of Inspectors to examine and receive the work

promptly at our Utica Armory during the month of Jany. Even as it was, the 500 Pistols

required to complete the January installment were all finished, inspected in detail and

assembled the second time, ready for the final examination and delivery before the expi-

ration of the month, and were delivered upon the 3rd day of February.

Under these circumstances we trust that you will feel warranted in authorizing Col.

Thornton to receive the 500 pistols in question, completing the 20,000 as per contract.8

It appears that Dyer was not on duty when Remington’s letter arrived. Col. William

Maynadier, Dyer’s assistant, forwarded Remington’s letter to Thornton on March 27, soliciting

his comments:

Respectfully referred to Col. Thornton for his information. Please report facts in the case.

W. Maynadier, Col. & Chief Asst. of Ord9

Thornton responded on March 28:

On the 13th of January, during my absence on duty at Washington, the Remington

Company made application for an additional inspector to examine their pistols at Utica

N.Y. When I returned here the 27th of January, I immediately assigned the desired help. It

appears, by reports in this office, that the said company caused the sub-inspectors to lose

five days work during the week ending January 28th, 1865 by not furnishing them

pistols to inspect, and if the help desired had been present, the loss of time to the

United States would have been still greater. From these facts, I think it is evident that

the failure to deliver the 500 pistols in January 1865 was not due to the want of

Inspectors to examine the work.10

On receiving this reply, Maynadier sent the following to Remington on March 29:

Sirs,

I have to acknowledge your letter of 25th inst. stating that Col. Thornton did not feel at

liberty to receive 500 Army Pistols completed under Contract, on the ground that they

were forfeited for nondelivery in the month of January.

I deemed it proper before taking any further action in the matter to refer your letter

to Col. Thornton for remarks. Herewith I have sent his endorsement on your letter from

which you will perceive that he differs from you as to the cause of non-reception. In view

of his statement I do not deem it advisable to instruct him to receive the 500 Pistols, as

you request.11

There was no resolution of this matter until it was brought to Dyer’s attention on his return

to duty. On April 11, Dyer contacted Remington:

Gentlemen,

Referring to your letter of the 4th inst. I have to say that Col. Thornton has this day

been directed to inspect and receive the five hundred Revolvers, the delivery of which

was forfeited in the month of January last.12

Reading between the lines, I have formed the opinion that Thornton resented the preferen-

tial treatment the department afforded Remington. I suspect he anticipated that his decision

would be overturned, arriving at this conclusion from the fact that the five hundred revolvers

127

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128

CHAPTER FIVE

that he had accepted on March 24 and the five hundred that he had refused to accept were all

entered on the same receipt, which was dated the following day, April 12. Thornton also invoked

other sanctions against Remington that had not been previously advanced. When making the

final settlement of Remington’s revolver account, he made deductions for the ammunition fur-

nished by the government for proving the revolvers accepted in 1864 and later made charges for

the ammunition used in proving the twenty thousand revolvers just delivered. He also deducted

charges for the labor used in inspecting revolvers that were not accepted by the department.

Remington evidently did not protest these reductions. The charges are itemized in the depart-

ment’s ledgers and may be viewed at the end of the current chapter. I estimate the serial num-

ber range of these final deliveries to be slightly over 149,000. It is interesting to note that some

of these bear the same sub-inspector’s cartouche (RPB) as the Rogers & Spencer revolvers con-

currently being delivered in Utica, New York.

During the war, the total numbers of Remington Army Revolvers delivered to the depart-

ment were as follows:

850 Beals models on order of July 29, 1861 delivered May 31, 1862

20,001 Beals, Elliot, and New Models on contract delivered July 1861–June 1862

June 13, 1862

700 Second-class New Models purchased delivered July 1863

July 11, 1863

18,208 New Models on contract of July 6, 1863 delivered July–December 1863

57,005 New Models on contract of delivered January–December 1864

November 21, 1863

20,002 New Models on contract of delivered January–March 1865

October 24, 1864

116,766 Total

In addition to the army revolvers, Remington delivered 12,251 navy revolvers, that is, 7,250

Beals models on the order of July 29, 1861, delivered from August 1861 to May 1862, and 5,001

Beals and Elliot models on the contract of June 13, 1862. These were delivered from August to

December 1862. Approximately 4,600 Beals Navies were also purchased on the open market from

commercial dealers during the early months of the war.

Using the department’s records, I have determined that Remington received $1,641,411 for

129,017 revolvers, an average of $12.72 per revolver. By contrast, Colt delivered 130,000 revolvers

during the war and received $2,212,000, for an average price of $17 per revolver. I have investi-

gated production costs for this period but have not been able to determine Remington’s profits.

There were many factors that decimated them: new machinery, new buildings, and, of course,

inflation. While the machinery was an asset that would serve the firm for many years, the invest-

ment in remodeling at the Utica armory came directly out of revolver profits. That facility was

abandoned shortly after the final revolver contract was concluded.

I once again present the department’s account records and Thornton’s receipts for the final

twenty thousand Remington revolvers accepted by the department:

Remington Army Revolver Deliveries, October 24, 1864, ContractPURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department:

From whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 2 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers $15 50 $15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 12 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 12 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 20 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 28 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 30 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 4 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 6 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 11 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 13 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 18 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 20 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 27 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 28 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 7 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 8 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

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Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 14 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 21 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 23 1,000 New Model Army Revolvers 15 50 15,500 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 14 — Ammunition used in — — 1,031 69 Nov. 21, 1863proving 57,000 revolvers

Remington & Sons 1865 Jun. 10 — Ammunition used in — — 1,308 00 Oct. 24, 1864proving 20,000 revolvers

Remington & Sons 1865 Jun. 10 Labor in inspection of pistols 1,191 65 Oct. 24, 1864not taken by government

Total 20,000

Ordnance Inspector’s “Memorandum of Receipts”“Memorandum of Receipts of 20,000 ARMY REVOLVERS from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their CONTRACTS from

CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated October 24, 1864”

DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1865 Book No.

Jan. 12 4 11 1 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jan. 12 4 11 2 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jan. 20 7 11 3 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jan. 20 7 11 4 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Jan. 28 9 11 5 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

131

REM

ING

TO

N’S

FOU

RTH

AR

MY R

EVO

LVER

CO

NTR

AC

TJan. 30 10 11 6 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 4 11 11 7 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 6 12 11 8 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 13 14 11 9 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 11 13 11 10 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 16 15 11 11 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 20 16 11 12 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 27 18 11 13 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Feb. 28 18 11 14 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 7 20 11 15 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 7 20 11 16 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 14 22 11 17 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 15 22 11 18 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Mar. 21 24 11 19 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Apr. 12 30 11 20 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Army Revolvers

Total 20,000

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.”

CHAPTER SIX

Remington Navy

Revolvers Purchased by

the Bureau of Ordnance,

U.S. Navy

In this chapter I present the results of my studies concerning the Civil War purchases of

Remington Navy Revolvers by the Bureau of Ordnance for the use of the U.S. Navy. The

Remington Navy Revolvers were not actually developed for the navy; they are referred to as

“navy revolvers” because they were .36 caliber, the navy’s caliber of choice. The U.S. Army had

purchased and contracted for several thousand Remington Navy Revolvers before the navy’s

Bureau of Ordnance took notice of their existence.

I introduced the reader to the navy’s Bureau of Ordnance in the prologue to this volume.

My introduction notes that navy officers were assigned to test and prove articles purchased

under contract. In my research, I found but one instance where percussion revolvers were

inspected for the bureau at the point of manufacture; this happenstance occurred only because

an inspector, sent to accept and receive long arms from Eli Whitney, was present when the

revolvers were delivered.

After conducting an extensive search for pre–Civil War correspondence or agreements

between the bureau and E. Remington & Sons, I found only two items. The earliest correspon-

dence located was a reply to an inquiry made by Samuel Remington while he was in

Washington, D.C.:

Bureau of Ordn. & Hydro.

February 24th, 1854

Mr. Sam’l. Remington

Washington

Sir,

In reply to letter of this date you are informed that the only information that can be

found in the files of this Bureau in relation to cast steel barrels introduced by you for

the Navy, is contained in the enclosed copy of a report from Lieut. Joseph Ianman, Asst.

Inspector of Ordnance U.S.N., dated June 23rd, 1846. It appears by the correspondence

133

that Mr. Wm. Jenks was authorized to have the barrels of 1,000 Carbines of his patent,

made of cast steel instead of iron, and that said 1,000 Carbines with cast steel barrels

were made and inspected at the establishment of E. Remington & Son, Ilion, Herkimer

County New York.

Respectfully, Your Obt. Servant

C. Morris, Chief of the Bureau1

Some three years later, in April 1857, Remington received an order from the bureau for 150

musket barrels of decarbonized steel. I located no further correspondence between the bureau

and Remington from 1857 to 1862.

THE YEAR OF 1862

While Samuel Remington was in Washington testifying before the Owen-Holt Commission on

Ordnance, he made the following request of the bureau:

Washington, April 22, 1862

Capt. A. A. Harwood

Chief of Bureau of Ord. & Hydro. Washington, D.C.

Sir,

Being desirous of bringing our Navy Revolver favorable before your Department—

We would respectfully ask that you grant a trial to be made with the same.2

Remington had a large inventory of Beals Navy Revolvers, which had accumulated after

Secretary of War Stanton’s general order of March 10 that suspended all arms deliveries to the

Army Ordnance Department. Although this department temporarily accepted revolvers again

on April 15, Remington was seeking another market. To this end, he deposited a Beals Navy

Revolver with the bureau for evaluation. I have not located further correspondence between

Remington and the bureau regarding this request, but the bureau conducted a trial on May 3,

1862 (figure 74):

Report on Beal’s Revolver is resp. submitted

to the Bureau of Ordnance.

May 3, 1862

Capt. Jno A. Dahlgren, Commdt.

Navy Yard, Washington

Sir,

In relation to Beals patent revolving pistols presented for trial by Mr. Remington we have

to report as follows.

The pistol differs from Colt’s Navy pistol chiefly in the manner in which the cylinder

is held in place, and the arrangement of the frame which with the barrel is in one piece.

The cylinder is kept in place by a sliding base pin under the barrel, which can only be

134

CHAPTER SIX

withdrawn by lowering the rammer. By this means the cylinder may be removed and

replaced with great rapidity and ease.

The pistol complete weighs 17,670 grs.

“ cylinder “ “ 3,760 grs.

“ cartridge “ “ 135 grs.

“ charge “ “ 14 grs.

“ ball “ “ 120 grs.

Six hundred shots were fired, five hundred of which were fired at a target of three

thicknesses of 1 1/2 in. pine boards, 30 inches square at a distance of 100 ft. Every

charge but one exploded at the first fall of the hammer.

One hundred and ninety five shots struck the target, all of which went through

the first board and penetrated the second, only four went through the second and pen-

etrated the third.

For comparison, thirty of the same cartridges were fired at the target from Colt’s

Navy revolver, six of the ten that hit the target penetrated the third board.

At the 150th shot, the cylinder, revolving with some difficulty, it was cleaned. At

the 582nd round, it would not revolve until it was cleaned. Both interruptions were

caused by the escape of gas between the cylinder and the barrel, which fouled the piece

considerably. As it is claimed by the inventor that the pistol can be fired with much

greater rapidity by removing the cylinder to load, one hundred and twenty shots were

fired in this manner in 28 min. 36 sec. One hundred and twenty by the usual process

in 29 min. 3 sec.

It is thought that in cleaning, there is an advantage in the simplicity with which the

frame and cylinder are arranged consisting of but two pieces, one movement of the hand

takes it apart. The connection of the barrel and stock by a strap over the cylinder gives

additional strength. In penetration under the same circumstances, it will be observed

that Colt’s is eminently superior, while accuracy appears slightly in favor of Beals.

Very Respectfully,

Foxhall A. Parker, Lt. & Ex. Offc.

Wm. Mitchell, Lieut.3

The inventor’s claim that the revolver could be loaded faster by removing the cylinder is

interesting. This comment may have been intended to disparage Colt revolvers, in which the

removal of the cylinder was a more intricate operation. Beals’s method of loading would

have required an extra appendage to seat the ball or cartridge, similar to the tool furnished

with the first and second models of the Beals Pocket Revolvers. This appendage is not nor-

mally associated with the Beals Navy Revolver, but I am aware of one factory-boxed navy

revolver containing this tool.

At the time the above ordnance report was submitted, Colt was supplying revolvers to

the navy, with which they seemed quite pleased. In August 1862, Capt. John A. Dahlgren (fig-

ure 75), who had recently succeeded Harwood as chief of the bureau, ordered army revolvers

from the Army Ordnance Department:

135

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

136

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 74Lt. Foxhall A. Parker, U.S. Navy.(Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Figure 75Adm. John A. Dahlgren, chief of the Bureauof Ordnance. (Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department

Aug. 5th, 1862

Brig. Genl. J. W. Ripley U.S.A.

Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Sir,

I have the honor to request that you will direct to be forwarded to Ordnance Officer at the

New York Navy Yard, (250) Two Hundred and Fifty Army revolvers.

I am Very Respectfully, Your Obdt. Servant

J. A. Dahlgren, Chief of Bureau4

Ripley furnished Colt Armies, and in the process of approving the receipts, Dahlgren evi-

dently discovered that Colt was delivering revolvers to the army at a lower price than to the navy.

On becoming aware of this price discrimination, on August 23 he contacted Colt with the fol-

lowing inquiry:

Telegram

To Colt’s Arms Co.

Hartford, Conn.

Will you supply Navy Revolvers at the same rate as to the Army?

If so, state the price.

Aug. 23d, 11.10 A.M. J. A. Dahlgren5

The reply to this telegram has not been located, but it appears that Colt refused to lower

their price. On the same day that he telegraphed Colt, Dahlgren wired the Remington armory:

Telegram

E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, N.Y.

Please forward a sample of your revolver to this Bureau, together with a small quantity of

ammunition. Note caliber and price.

23 Aug. J. A. Dahlgren6

Remington responded to this request on August 25:

Sir,

We telegraphed you today in answer to your dispatch of Saturday, Aug. 23.

We are now furnishing the Government with both the Army & Navy size

Revolver, 44/100 & 36/100 calibre, the latter same as sample sent you. Our engage-

ments are such that we could only give you at present about 1,000 of the Navy size

.36 calibre, (like sample). Can supply your Department (after completing our

present Contract, which will require about 60 days) at the rate of 50 per day.

The price would be the same as we are receiving from the Government, $12. each,

137

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

138

CHAPTER SIX

with the usual appendages, viz.: 1 screwdriver & cone wrench & 1 bullet mould to

each Revolver.

The cartridges we send are not what we propose furnishing with our Revolver (not

having any on hand at this time). Will send some in a few days more suitable for the pis-

tol & securing better penetration.7

Remington shipped a Beals Navy Revolver (figure 76), serial number 14,741, to the bureau

who, in turn, forwarded it to the Ordnance Department, Washington Navy Yard, with the follow-

ing endorsements:

This accompanies sample Remmington [sic] Revolver of same caliber as Colt’s Navy .36 at

$12. which the Captain wishes tried and reported upon.

H. A. Wise, Asst. to Bureau

Received the revolver and cartridges Aug. 30, & sent them to Lab’y. A. B. M.8

Lt. Cdr. W. W. Queen tested the revolver, using a Colt Navy Revolver for comparison, and

made the following report on September 5:

Beals patent revolving Pistol

Sir,

In obedience to your order, I have fired Beals patent revolving pistol No. 14,741, furnished

by Messrs. E. Remington & Sons as follows:

With the ammunition furnished 342 rounds

“ Colt’s ammunition 158 do

Total 500 do

Figure 76Beals Navy Revolver, fourth variation. (Author’s collection)

At the 180th & 342nd rounds, the pistol working rather stiffly, it was taken apart and

wiped.

The penetration was tested with each kind of ammunition by firing 20 shots, at a tar-

get made of 1 in. pine boards consisting of 9 boards, so placed as to leave a space of one

inch between each. It was two feet square, and set at a distance of 73 ft. 5.

of Colt’s ammunition:

16 struck and penetrated the 1st and 2nd boards.

12 penetrated the 3rd board & 4 more embedded in it.

1 was embedded in the 4th board, and there were 10 indentations in it.

of Remington’s ammunition:

17 struck the target and penetrated the 1st and 2nd board

16 penetrated & 1 was embedded in the 3rd “

4 penetrated, & 4 were embedded in the 4th “

and there were 6 indentations in it.

2 were embedded, and there were 2 indentations in the 5th board

To test the escape of gas at the joint between the cylinder and the barrel, pieces of

white paper and cotton waste were bound closely around the joint, each during 5 shots.

They were slightly discolored and considerably torn.

The same number of shots were then fired from Colt’s Navy Pistol, under the

same circumstance, the relative escape of gas appearing to be slightly in favor of the

Remington arm.

The pistol was examined before and after firing by a competent workman, who

reported it on each occasion in good order.

The pistol complete weighs 18,162 grains

“ Cylinder “ “ 4,395 grs.

A mean of the weight of 3 cartridges taken at random is as follows.

Powder 15 grs.

Ball 137 grs.

Total 152 grs.

They were of the manufacture of Messrs. Johnson [sic] and Dow and did not fit the

pistol well, though in other respects serviceable.9

Three days later, Lieutenant Commander Mitchell forwarded another report to Dahlgren:

Sir,

In relation to the relative merits of Colt’s and Beal’s [sic] (Remingtons) revolving pistols, I

have to report that judging from the results of the examination by Lieut. (now Comdr.)

Parker and myself, as per report of May 3, 1862 and from that of Lieut. Comdr. Queen of

the 5th instant, I am of the opinion that the Beal’s [sic] is fully equal to that of the Colt.

For accuracy it has proved superior in both trials.

In the first instance the penetration was in favor of the Colts but in the latter trial,

that of the Beal’s [sic] was the greater.

139

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

It endured 500 shots, by Lieut. Comdr. Queen without difficulty, the pistol working as

well after as before the trial.

The mechanical arrangement is much more simple than that of the Colts, a simple

movement of the hand takes it apart and it is put together with equal ease.

The strap over the barrel gives it additional strength and is so arranged as not to

interfere with the working of the pistol.

It varies slightly in weight from that first tried, but in other respects the same.10

Shortly after receiving these reports, Dahlgren ordered the navy’s first lot of revolvers and

ammunition from Remington on September 15:

Sirs,

You will please deliver to the Asst. Insp. Of Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth N.H.

One Hundred and Twenty (120) Beal’s [sic] Revolvers with ammunition, spare parts

etc. for do.11

Remington shipped this order on September 18 and advised Dahlgren on the following day:

Sir,

We beg to enclose herewith Invoice of 120 Revolvers (navy size) with appendages as

forwarded agreeable to your order of the 15th inst. received yesterday.

We are a little in doubt as to the proper amount of ammunition to forward with the

pistols and telegraphed you in regard to same. Receiving no reply, we have concluded to

send the pistols forward with one box cartridges, (1200).

If more are wanted, we will forward them as soon as advised. The cartridges are

accompanied with percussion caps. We send with the pistols, 1 Bullet mould, 1 Screwdriver

& cone wrench and 1 extra cone to each pistol, as usual. Have also added a few main

springs extra.12

On the twentieth, the bureau advised Remington by telegram, “Send one hundred and

twenty (120) rounds with each pistol.”13 Remington did not ship the cartridges until September

25 and advised the bureau on that day:

Sir,

We have the honor to hand you herewith Invoice of Cartridges this day forwarded to Ass’t.

Insp. Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., completing the requisite number for the

pistols furnished, (120 Rounds to each).

We have been delayed in forwarding the Cartridges a few days, in consequence of

not having a sufficient supply on hand, when the order was received. We shall endeavor

to be prepared to execute more promptly any future orders you may have occasion to

send us. Hoping that the temporary delay of the Cartridges in this instance, will not

cause any inconvenience.14

140

CHAPTER SIX

The bureau had not received the previous letter when they again contacted Remington on

September 27:

Sirs,

Yours of the 19th received. You will please forward to the Ass’t. Inspector of Ordnance,

Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.

Twelve thousand cartridges for revolvers, and let the Percussion Caps be put in

separate parcels.15

Remington responded to this on the thirtieth:

Sir,

We are in receipt of yours of the 27th inst., containing order for 12,000 Cartridges to be

forwarded to Ass’t Inspector of Ordnance, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. The Cartridges

were sent forward some days since, agreeable to order received per telegraph.

We notice your instructions relative to putting the Percussion Caps in parcels

separate from the Cartridges, and will hereafter have them put up in that manner.16

Upon receiving this letter, the bureau advised Remington:

Gentlemen,

The telegraphic order from the Bureau of the 20th, inst. having been filled, the order of

the 27th inst for 12,000 cartridges is annulled.17

Although the order of the nineteenth was very specific in referring to Beals revolvers, I can-

not ascertain if the revolvers delivered were indeed Beals models or the newly introduced

revolver with the Elliot patent lever and arbor pin. References to “Beals Revolvers” may be found

in the bureau’s correspondence as late as April 1863, the approximate introduction date of the

early New Model Revolvers.

The test reports of May 3 and September 8, 1862, both make reference to Beals revolvers. The

last line of Mitchell’s report states that other than a slight variation in weight, the revolver tested was

the same as the one he had tested on May 3, before the introduction of the Elliot model (figure 77).

In July, Army Ordnance Inspector Col. W. A. Thornton had refused to accept approximately fif-

teen hundred Beals Navy Revolvers from Remington, citing numerous defects in a report to the

chief of ordnance. Remington’s letter to Dahlgren on August 25 stated, “Our engagements are such

that we can give you at present about 1,000 of the Navy size .36 calibre, (like sample).”18 At that time,

Remington was approximately two thousand revolvers in arrears on an army contract for five thou-

sand navy revolvers. It seems unlikely that Remington, behind in production, could or would offer

revolvers to the navy, unless the revolvers were Beals models that had been rejected by Thornton.

By way of a review, the Army Ordnance Department contract for navy revolvers had been exe-

cuted on June 13, 1862, but none were accepted until August 11 because of the faults mentioned in

Thornton’s reports. Remington delivered a total of five thousand Beals and Elliot Navy Revolvers on

141

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

this contract, most of them after Remington had requested and received a three-month extension.

Those accepted by the army are easily identified by the cartouche of Ordnance Sub-Inspector C. G.

Curtis, stamped on the left grip. A study of the revolvers accepted by the army reveals a serial num-

ber range of approximately 13,500–19,500. Accordingly, I assume that the early deliveries to the navy

were in the same serial number range as those first delivered to the army. With few exceptions, it is

impossible to identify the revolvers delivered to the navy. The navy neither subjected them to a for-

mal inspection, nor marked them, as the army did. A few Beals Navy Revolvers that were altered to

cartridge have surfaced; these appear to be part of the lot altered by Remington for the navy in

1875–76. All of these facts suggest that the early deliveries to the navy were Beals models.

Johnston & Dow of New York City manufactured the cartridges that Remington furnished.

The bureau initially accepted the cartridges even though the test report of Queen on September 5

was critical, saying that “the cartridges did not fit the pistol well.”19 Later, the Johnston & Dow

cartridges proved to be a major embarrassment to Remington.

The bureau forwarded another order to Remington on October 4:

Sir:

Prepare and forward to Fortress Monroe, Va. addressed to Lieut. Commander Phenix,

U.S.N.

Fifty-(50)-Revolvers with 120 rounds of ammunition to each.20

Remington received this order on the seventh. They advised Dahlgren that the revolvers had

been shipped the following day:

Sir,

We have this day forwarded to the address of Lieut. Commander Phenix, U.S.N.,

Fortress Monroe, Va.; 50 Navy Revolvers and ammunition for the same; agreeable

142

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 77Elliot Navy Revolver, first variation, serial number 15,867. (Author’s collection)

to your order of 4th inst., received yesterday. We enclose herewith, invoice and

Express receipt.

If you have occasion to favor us with further orders for the pistols, will you be kind

enough to advise us if we should send the same number of percussion caps, as of car-

tridges, or an additional number to cover the usual loss or waste in using.21

Capt. Henry A. Wise, Dahlgren’s assistant, sent the following order to Remington on

November 4:

Sirs,

Prepare and forward to Fortress Monroe Va. addressed to Lieut. Commander Phenix,

U.S.N., and marked “Navy Ordnance”:

One Hundred (100) Revolvers and Fifty Thousand (50,000) Revolver Cartridges.22

The bureau never entered into a formal contract with Remington, but Dahlgren began plac-

ing regular revolver orders. Many were delivered to smaller naval stations such as Fortress

Monroe, Virginia, and to Cairo or Mound City, Illinois, the latter for arming seamen of the

Mississippi Squadron. After Remington’s first delivery, the bureau placed no further revolver

orders with Colt for the duration of the war.

On the same day that the previous order was sent, the bureau received the following

telegram from Rear Adm. David D. Porter (figure 78), commanding officer of the Mississippi

River Squadron:

The American Telegraph Company

Cairo, Ill.

Nov. 4 1862

Capt. Dahlgren, Ord. Bureau

Required, two hundred Colt’s Revolvers with ammunition.

D. D. Porter, Rear Admiral

Answered Nov. 6 Ordered from Remington23

Two days later the bureau relayed the order to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau wishes you to send with all dispatch to Rear Admiral D. D. Porter, Cairo

Illinois:

Two hundred (200) revolvers with one hundred (100) rounds of ammunition for each

Revolver.

Let the boxes be distinctly marked “Navy Ordnance” and certificates of reception by

the proper Officer at Cairo must accompany all your bills.24

Remington responded on the tenth:

143

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Sirs,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 6th inst. with order for 200

Revolvers and 100 rounds of ammunition for each Revolver; to be forwarded to Rear

Admiral D. D. Porter, Cairo, Illinois.

The Pistols we forward this day. The ammunition for the same will be sent direct

from New York.

When we receive the proper certificates from Cairo we will transmit them to you with

our account.25

In this reply, I noted that Remington again did not have the cartridges on hand; they, in

turn, ordered Johnston & Dow to ship them directly to Cairo. On November 12, the bureau

transmitted another order to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send to the Boston Navy Yard, addressed to Commodore J. S.

Missroon, U.S.N. and Marked “Naval Ordnance” for Navy Yard, Mare Island, California,

the following articles:

144

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 78Rear Adm. David D. Porter, commanderof the Mississippi Squadron. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

50 Revolvers

15,000 Cartridges for do

25,000 Percussion Caps for do.26

Remington acknowledged this order on the fourteenth:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of 12th inst. containing order for 50

Revolvers and Ammunition which shall go forward tomorrow, addressed in accordance

with instructions given.

We will transmit our account when we obtain from Boston the proper receipt to

accompany the same.

It is now required by the American Express Company (the only Company having an

office at this place), that we prepay their charges for transportation on goods that we may

forward, per Express for Government Service.

Unless otherwise advised we will add the amount paid by us for transportation to

our bills.27

It appears that the American Express Company wanted cash for their services, as the government

was notoriously slow in making payments.

Wise sent the next revolver order November 29:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send as soon as possible to the Navy Yard at New York for ship-

ment to Pensacola.

Fifty Revolvers with the usual amount of ammunition.

Address the boxes to care of the Commandant, and mark them “for Pensacola.”28

Remington acknowledged this order on December 2:

Sir,

We are in receipt of yours of the 29th ulto. containing order for Revolvers and ammuni-

tion for the same; which will be sent forward this day, agreeable to directions given.29

On December 17, the bureau executed a different type of order:

Sirs,

The Bureau wishes you to send with all dispatch to Cairo, Illinois, marked “Naval

Ordnance” and addressed to Rear Admiral Porter,

One hundred thousand (100,000) percussion caps for revolvers.30

In a communication dated December 24, Remington made an unusual request of Dahlgren:

145

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Sir,

We have the honor to hand you herewith Invoice of Revolvers and ammunition sent to

Cairo, 10th Nov.; together with Certificates of their reception.

If at any time the Bureau shall receive reports respecting our pistols, (either favorable

or otherwise) from the Officers to whom they have been issued, we would be pleased to

receive copies of the same, if consistent with the regulations of the Department. We make

this request in order that we may be apprised if a modification of the pistol, in any

respect is desirable.

We would also be pleased to know if the waterproof Cartridges furnished with the pis-

tols, give full satisfaction.31

In chapter 2, I related the problems the army had experienced with the Elliot models. In

early December, Maj. P. V. Hagner, inspector of ordnance for the army, had requested Remington

to abandon the Elliot’s patent and return to the Beals system. Remington’s purpose in writing

the previous letter was to seek input from the bureau.

Remington’s temporary solution to complaints concerning the Elliot model was to install

a screw in the channel of the loading lever (figure 79). This prevented the withdrawal of the

arbor pin, unless the loading lever was first lowered. Postwar orders (from the Mare Island

yard for replacement screws for the inner groove of the loading lever) are sufficient evidence

that the bureau received some of the Elliot Model Navies. The bureau ordered fifty navy

revolvers for the Mare Island yard on November 12, 1862, shortly before the Elliot models

were discontinued.

On December 26, the bureau questioned Remington about an excess of cartridges delivered

with a recent order:

Gentlemen,

Yours of the 24th inst. (enclosing bill and receipt from Ordnance Officer at Cairo for two

hundred Revolvers, and one hundred and twenty thousand Cartridges delivered at Cairo)

has been received.

Your order of Nov. 6 for the above pistols and cartridges was for one hundred rounds

to each revolver or 20,000 rounds. How is it that you have sent 100,000 rounds more than

was ordered?32

Remington hastened to explain the circumstances with the following reply on the thirtieth:

146

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 79Elliot loading lever with fillister screw installed in channel. (Author’s collection)

Sir,

We are in receipt of your communication of the 26th instant apprising us of errors in

executing the order of Nov. 6th. In explanation of the same, we beg leave to say that we

understood the term “round” to mean the requisite number of Cartridges for a single

full charge for the pistol, instead of a single Cartridge.

We were led to this conclusion, partly by the fact, that in a previous order received

from the Bureau, for 100 Revolvers, a definite number of Cartridges “50,000” were ordered

to be sent with them. We supposed that for the 200 Revolvers sent to Cairo, the Cartridges

would be required in about the same proportion and that the order for “100 rounds to

each pistol” was intended to mean 100 full charges (of 6 Cartridges) to each pistol.33

I have discussed elsewhere the common confusion over the term “round” of ammunition, as

exemplified in the above letter.

The revolver orders continued on the twenty-seventh:

Sir,

The Bureau desires you to forward as soon as possible to the New York Navy Yard, marked

“Naval Ordnance,”

(121) One hundred and Twenty one Revolvers without Ammunition.

Also send to Fortress Monroe addressed to Lieut. Commdr. Dawson Phenix, U.S.N.

and marked “Naval Ordnance”:

(100) One Hundred Revolvers without Ammunition.34

Remington acknowledged these orders on the last day of the year:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of 27th inst., containing order for One

hundred and twenty one (121) Revolvers to be forwarded to the New York Navy Yard, also,

One Hundred, (100) to be forwarded to Lieut. Commander Dawson Phenix U.S.N.,

Fortress Monroe, Va.

They shall be immediately shipt, as directed.35

THE YEAR OF 1863

On January 7, 1863, the bureau requested that Remington ship twenty thousand cartridges for

the revolvers recently delivered to the New York yard. Five days later, the bureau sent an addi-

tional order for revolvers:

Sir,

In addition to previous orders the Bureau wishes you to send as soon as possible to the

Navy Yard at Boston:

300 Beale [sic] Revolvers with percussion caps and 100 cartridges for each revolver.

147

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

In sending your bills in future, please quote the order under which you have made

and forwarded the arms.36

This order was quite specific in ordering Beals revolvers, but by this time, Remington had

disposed of their Beals models and were in the process of developing the New Models. Revolvers,

manufactured in the early months of 1863, were going through the transition cited earlier.

Surviving specimens of navy revolvers in the 20,000–22,000 serial number range show evidence

of this transition with many specimens having both Elliot and New Model parts.

Remington acknowledged the above order on the fifteenth and shipped the revolvers the

next day. On January 23, the bureau forwarded another order:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send with all dispatch to New York, to the care of Rear Admiral

H. Paulding, and marked “Navy Ordnance,”

(25) Twenty-five Navy Revolver pistols with (100) One hundred rounds of ammuni-

tion for each pistol.37

On February 2, Remington sent a letter of complaint to Dahlgren concerning delinquent

payments by the navy agent in New York:

Sir,

We have received from your Department approved bills payable by the Navy Agent at

New York, for Pistols and Ammunition delivered by us at the several dates, and of the

respective amounts mentioned in the memorandum annexed.

The bills have been sent forward to the Navy Agent in New York, but we have as yet

received payment for the first one only ($1670.40).

If you can in any manner expedite the payment of the others or a portion of them,

we shall be greatly obliged as we need the funds very much at this time to meet urgent

business demands.

E. Remington & Sons

Memo

1862 Sept. 19th $1670.40

Oct. 8th 702.80

Nov. 7th 2009.68

Nov. 10th 4473.14

Nov. 17th 874.60

Dec. 2nd 874.60

Dec. 22nd 106.00

Dec. 31st 1212.7038

This complaint was to be echoed many times during the course of the war; payments by the gov-

ernment were often as many as five months in arrears.

148

CHAPTER SIX

In early February, Dahlgren received the following telegram from Cairo, Illinois:

United States Military Telegraph

Received Feb. 3 1863 From Cairo Ill.

To Capt. Jno Dahlgren

Please send five hundred (500) boarding pistols with fifty thousand cartridges & one hun-

dred thousand (100,000) caps & seven hundred (700) frogs Navy pattern, five hundred

(500) cutlasses with belts and frogs, three hundred (300) Colt’s Revolvers with holsters &

thirty thousand Cartridges. The worms, rammers, sponges, scrappers [sic] & ladles for

thirty, nine inch guns are much wanted.

J. P. Sanford

Ord. Officer39

In this requisition is evidence that the navy was still using smoothbore single-shot per-

cussion pistols that had been in service well before the war. On the day he received this req-

uisition, Dahlgren forwarded the first of many complaints to Remington concerning

defective revolvers:

Sir,

The Bureau encloses for your information copy of a letter from Commodore Missroon in

relation to the 300 Revolvers recently delivered by you at Boston and requests that you

will send seventeen perfect pistols to replace those reported as defective.40

On the fourth, Dahlgren satisfied Sanford’s request of the previous day by executing the

bureau’s first combination order for revolvers. The first went to Remington:

Sir,

The Bureau wishes you to send with the utmost dispatch to Cairo, Ill, addressed to Lieut.

Sanford U.S.N., Ordnance Officer, Mississippi Squadron, and marked “Navy Ordnance”

200 Revolvers with 120 rounds of Ammunition for each pistol.41

On the same day, the bureau ordered the remaining one hundred revolvers from Whitney, the

first of such orders.

Remington responded to the complaints from the Boston yard on the sixth:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 4th inst. containing order for

200 Revolvers and Ammunition, which will be immediately forwarded agreeable to the

directions given.

Referring to our letter of yesterday, we beg leave to say that we have this day

forwarded to Commodore Missroon seventeen pistols to replace the like number

reported defective.

149

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

It is proper that we should add, that the compound parts on all the pistols which we

have furnished under orders received from the Bureau have been inspected in detail and

the pistols have been proved with the Government proof charge. We will have additional

care exercised in the inspection of the work hereafter, and trust there will not be any

occasion for future complaints.

The report of Commodore Missroon mentions that the charges, (referring we

presume to the Cartridges furnished with the pistols) “ . . . seem too heavy,” we believe

that they do not exceed the regulation charge. If considered by the Bureau, too heavy,

we will have the charge reduced whenever so requested.42

The Washington Ordnance Yard tested two types of revolvers that month. The first were

Whitney’s Navies on February 4. Whitney had forwarded six revolvers instead of the usual sin-

gle specimen. Unfortunately, only one of these was referred to by its serial number, 17,751, which

was the prime specimen tested. The report submitted by Lt. Cdr. J. S. Skerret was lengthy and

very favorable. This report and the competitive twelve-dollar price no doubt influenced the

bureau to also start ordering revolvers from Whitney. This gave the bureau a secondary source

for revolvers.

The trial report on the second revolver has not been located, but the following letter is

fully explanatory:

Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department

Washington City, Feb. 28, 1863

Mr. F. W. Walker

New York

Sir,

A trial has been made at the Ordnance Yard here of the “Joslyn Army Pistol,” and the

following is an extract from the report of the examining officers:

“At the 6th shot the frame around the barrel was fractured, in consequence of

which the trial was discontinued.”

I am Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant

J. A. Dahlgren, Chief of Bureau43

On February 23, the bureau once again sent a double order to Remington:

Sir,

In addition to previous orders the Bureau wishes you to send as soon as possible to

Lieut. Comdr. W. N. Jeffers, Ord. Officer, Navy Yard Phila.

200 Revolvers with the usual amount of ammunition, and:

100 Revolvers with the usual amount of ammunition to New York addressed

to Commander Nicholson, the Ordnance Officer at the Navy Yard there.44

Remington did not acknowledge this order until March 4:

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CHAPTER SIX

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt (on yesterday) of your letter of 23d ult., con-

taining order for Revolvers and Ammunition which will be sent forward today, in accor-

dance with the directions given.

The pistols will be charged at the usual price ($12.), although the cost of manufacturing

has been materially enhanced since we proposed to furnish them at that rate, in consequence

of the great advance in price of stock and labor. We also have to pay 3 per ct. national tax on

the arms, which we did not take into account at the time we made our proposition.

We hope therefore that the Bureau may be willing under the existing circumstances to

allow us to add ($1.00) one Dollar, to the price of the pistols, hereafter.45

Remington’s delay in acknowledging this order may have had some bearing on Dahlgren’s

February 28 request to the Army Ordnance Department. Please note that two of the orders were

to be delivered to the same navy yards as specified in the order to Remington on February 23:

Sir,

The Bureau has the honor to request that you will cause to be delivered, for the use of the

Navy, 400 Army pistols, as follows.

200 to Lieut. J. P. Sanford at Cairo, Illinois.

100 to Commander Nicholson, Ordnance Officer, Navy Yard, New York and

100 to Lieut. Commander Jeffers, Ordnance Officer, Navy Yard, Philadelphia.46

The bureau had, on previous occasions, ordered army revolvers from the Army Ordnance

Department. I have verified that at least one of these orders was filled with Colt Army Revolvers. It

has also been established that the bureau had previously ordered army revolvers from Colt. These

procurement practices by the bureau could have resulted in some unusual revolvers, that is, inspected

by army inspectors when first delivered and reinspected by the navy after the war. I have had diffi-

culty in establishing whether the army pistols ordered on February 28 were revolvers or single-shot

pistols, as the term “pistol” was used frequently in correspondence when referring to revolvers.

The bureau had not yet received Remington’s letter requesting an advance in the price for

revolvers when they forwarded the next order on March 6:

Sir,

In addition to previous orders, the Bureau wishes you to send, as soon as possible to the

New York Navy Yard:

100 Beale [sic] Revolvers with 20,000 Cartridges and Caps.

Please mark the boxes with the letters “N.O.” and inform the Bureau when you for-

ward them.47

On the following day, Dahlgren received Remington’s letter of the fourth requesting a price

increase. Remington’s timing was very inopportune, as the bureau was now purchasing Whitney

Navy Revolvers for twelve dollars. On March 7, Dahlgren sent this curt response:

151

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Sirs,

Referring to your letter of the 4th Inst.

The Bureau declines to allow the advance of $1. asked for in the price of the Pistols

ordered from you.48

Remington delivered the order of the sixth at the original price of twelve dollars and on the

twenty-eighth, having received no further orders, sent the following to the bureau:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of approved triplicate bills for Revolvers,

Cartridges &c, amounting to Two thousand nine hundred and seventy eight dollars and

fourteen cents. ($2978.14)

Any further orders that the Bureau may have occasion to send us, will receive our

prompt attention and will be filled at the same price as heretofore; although the cost

of manufacturing is now very much increased by the advance in price of material

and labor.49

On April 9, the bureau received another request for revolvers from the ordnance officer at

Cairo, Illinois:

Office of U.S. Military Telegraph

The following Telegram received at Washington, April 9th, 1863

The time the last light draught boat is finished. Can anything be supplied instead

of boarding pistols? Have not more than enough revolvers to meet light issues to the

new boats.

J. Sanford, Ord. Officer

Miss. Squadron50

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CHAPTER SIX

Figure 80Last variation Remington New Model Navy Revolver, serial number 33,775. (Author’s collection)

In response to Sanford’s request, Wise forwarded the following order to Remington on that

same day:

Sir,

In addition to previous orders the Bureau desires you to send to Cairo, Illinois,

addressed to the Senior Naval Officer there;

100 Beale [sic] Revolvers with 120 cartridges for each Revolver. They are

wanted immediately.51

Once again, the bureau specified Beals revolvers, but by this time, Remington was delivering

New Models (figure 80). Remington acknowledged receipt of this order on the fifteenth and

simultaneously shipped the revolvers.

The bureau continued ordering revolvers from Remington on the twenty-third:

Sirs,

The Bureau wishes you to send to Commodore Dornin, Commanding, Naval Station, Baltimore.

Twenty Revolvers, with 120 cartridges for each pistol. Please mark for “Young River.”52

An acknowledgment for this order has not been located, but Remington forwarded the invoice

and receipts to the bureau on May 2.

On May 1, Dahlgren ordered revolvers for another vessel:

Sir,

In addition to previous orders, the Bureau wishes you to send as soon as possible to the

Ordnance Officer at the New York Yard, marked “Vermont,”

30 Revolvers and 120 cartridges and Percussion caps for each.53

Remington acknowledged receipt of this order and shipped the revolvers on the fifth.

Three days later the bureau sent another order:

Sir,

The Bureau wishes you to send as soon as possible to St. Louis, Mo. for the “U.S. Gun

Boat Ozark”

14 Revolvers.54

Remington shipped the revolvers on May 12:

Received Saint Louis Mo. May 18th 1863 of E. Remington & Sons, Fourteen Navy Pistols for:

U.S. Gun Boat “Ozark” as per their invoice of 12th May, 1863.

14 Remington Army Pistols $168.00.

Albert Badger

Clerk in charge of Ordnance55

153

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

The contradiction in receipting both army and navy pistols was apparently an error by Badger.

This delivery was entered in the bureau’s ledgers “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment”

as “14 Navy Revolvers at $12., Del’d. at St. Louis” (figure 81).56

On June 5, Lt. Cdr. O. C. Badger, ordnance officer at Cairo, Illinois, requisitioned both

revolvers and ammunition:

Sir,

The following ordnance articles are required at this station.

900 24 pound Howitzer Shrapnel

900 “ “ “ Shells

540 “ “ “ Canister

300 Revolvers calibre .36

150 Holsters for same

40,000 Revolver Cartridges cal. .3657

Wise ordered the revolvers and ammunition from Remington on the ninth:

Sir,

The Bureau desires you send with the utmost possible dispatch to Cairo, Illinois consigned

to the Senior Naval Officer there,

300 Revolvers

154

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 81U.S. Gunboat Kansas at anchoron the Mississippi. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

40,000 Revolver Cartridges

Telegraph the Bureau when they will leave.58

Remington acknowledged receipt of this order on the eleventh and advised Wise that the

revolvers would be shipped the next day. This shipment was over two weeks in transit; the navy

receipted for them at Cairo on July 1:

Received Cairo, Ill. July 1, 1863, of E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y.

The following Ordnance Articles as per Invoice, dated June 11, 1863

300 Navy Pistols & appendages $12.00 3600.00

40M “ “ Cartridges 16.00 640.00

4240.00

Edwd. M. Yard

Commander in charge Ordnance59

On June 17, an ordnance officer at the Washington Navy Yard forwarded the following req-

uisition to the bureau:

U.S. Navy Yard, Washington

June 17, 1863

To the Bureau of Ordnance

Sir,

There are required for the Ordnance Department, for general service:

One hundred revolvers cal. .36.

Memorandum:

The 25 on hand have been required by Comdr. Parker so that we have only:

5 of Norths

13 of Savages and

18 of Joslyns on hand.

Very Respectfully,

W. Mitchell, L. Comdr.60

The revolvers were ordered from Remington, and they acknowledged the order and shipped

the revolvers on the twentieth. Mitchell’s requisition is interesting, as it shows the revolver

inventory at the Washington yard. I do not understand his distinction between North’s and

Savage’s revolvers. Perhaps the Norths were single-shot boarding pistols remaining from the

navy’s prewar inventory.

On February 7, 1863, Dahlgren was promoted to rear admiral, and on June 24, he was

assigned to command the North Atlantic Blockade Squadron (figure 82). On the following day,

Wise, Dahlgren’s assistant, took command of the bureau (figure 83). He continued in this post

until June 1868 when Dahlgren again assumed command of the bureau.

Wise continued ordering revolvers from Remington. The following was dated July 22:

155

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

156

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 82Admiral Dahlgren aboard hisflagship, U.S.S. Pawnee.(Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Figure 83Capt. Henry A. Wise, chief of theBureau of Ordnance. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

Sir,

The Bureau desires you to send with all dispatch to the Navy Yard, New York, consigned

to Rear Admiral H. Paulding,

(200) Two hundred Navy Revolvers,

with (100) one hundred ball cartridges to each, (20,000)61

Remington’s acknowledgment was not located; however, they forwarded the appropriate

invoices to the bureau on August 1.

On the third, Wise sent an urgent telegram to Remington:

Telegram from Bureau of Ordnance

Aug. 3, 1863

To Messrs. E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, Herkimer Co. N.Y.

How many Revolvers have you on hand? Please answer immediately!

H. A. Wise, Chief of Bureau62

Wise simultaneously sent an identical telegram to Whitney, but his response has not been

located. Remington replied, “Have eight hundred on hand today.”63 The following day, the

bureau responded:

Telegram from Bureau of Ordnance

Aug. 4, 1863

To Messrs. Remington & Sons

Ilion, Herkimer Co. New York

The Bureau desires you to send immediately to the New York Navy Yard marked for

Admiral Dahlgren’s Squadron, Five hundred (500) Revolvers, one hundred thousand

(100,000) Revolver Cartridges, and one hundred ten thousand (110,000) Revolver Caps,

packed separately from the Cartridges. Please acknowledge receipt of this telegram.

H. A. Wise, Chief of Bureau64

On the evening of the same day, Remington telegraphed the bureau that they had received

the order and that the revolvers would be shipped immediately. Wise notified Captain Drayton,

assistant inspector of ordnance at the New York yard (figure 84), of the impending shipment and

cautioned him, “See that the caps are separate from the cartridges.”65

On August 17, Wise advised Remington that Drayton had found the ammunition to be “too

large. The demand for these pistols is most urgent and the Bureau is exceedingly embarrassed

by this.”66

Remington expressed surprise at this, advising the bureau by telegram on August 9, “Don’t

understand why cartridges for the 500 revolvers too large. They are the same as heretofore fur-

nished your Department. Will inquire into it at once.”67 Remington requested Johnston & Dow

to replace the defective cartridges and advised the bureau by telegraph on August 20, “the

157

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

ammunition for the five hundred revolvers goes by steam to Charleston tomorrow.” The

response to this telegram was not located, but the bureau evidently advised Remington not to

have the cartridges sent to Charleston. Johnston & Dow were instructed to deliver them directly

to the New York yard. Upon their receipt, Drayton immediately notified the bureau that the

cartridges “are still too large.”68

Capt. R. Aulick, who was now assistant at the bureau, queried Drayton about the cartridges

on August 26:

Sir,

Referring to your letter of the 21st instant, No. 482, you state that “Remington’s last car-

tridges (for Admiral Dahlgren) still too large.”

The Bureau observes, however, by your invoice that they have been put aboard the

“Mary Sanford” and therefore desires to know in what way these cartridges are too large.

Mr. Remington had already been written to on the subject and has assured the

Bureau that every care would be taken to have these cartridges correct.69

Drayton reported the details of the cartridge problem to the bureau, and Wise relayed the

information to Remington on August 31:

158

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 84Capt. Percival Drayton, inspector of ordnance.(Courtesy: Library of Congress)

Sirs,

Referring to the Bureau’s communication concerning the Revolver Cartridges for

Port Royal being too large, the following extract from a letter from Captain Drayton,

the Ordnance Officer at New York, who reported the second lot you sent him as

being also too large, explained the difficulty.—“The Remington Cartridges which

were sent to Rear Admiral Dahlgren and which I reported as still too large. These

were made by Johnson [sic] & Dow, and will answer, although they would be better

if made slightly smaller at the base, so as to center the chamber more easily. As I

thought they might be needed, I took them as they were but should refuse any

others until the mould is rectified.”

The Bureau requests your attention to this important detail.70

On October 1, 1861, the U.S. Patent Office awarded Algernon K. Johnston of Middletown,

Connecticut, and Lorenzo Dow of Topeka, Kansas, patent number 33,393 for an improvement in

the design of combustible cartridges. In late 1861, Johnston & Dow established a manufactory

and warehouse in Manhattan, New York City. One possible explanation for the sudden deterio-

ration in the quality of their cartridges may be found in a news item in the New York Times,

dated May 13, 1863, which I quote in part:

TERRIBLE GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION

A Magazine Blown-Up in the Upper Part of the City

Great Loss of Property—Several Persons Perilously Injured

Windows Destroyed the Distance of Six Miles from the Scene

One of the most terrible gunpowder explosions which ever took place in this city,

occurred at a late hour on Monday night, at the foot of Seventy-eighth street, East

River. The report was heard in every part of the country for a distance of fifty miles.

The damage to the property is very great, and the wonder is that no lives were lost by

the catastrophe. The particulars of the occurrence are as follows:

For about eighteen months past there has been a cartridge manufactory and a

powder magazine located at the foot of Seventy-eighth street, East River. The propri-

etors, Messrs. Johnston & Dow, have had contracts with the United States Government

for the manufacture and delivery of cartridges.

During the last year and a half, they have had on an average 300 people in their

employ. There were two buildings devoted to the business—one of them between

Seventy-eighth and seventy-ninth streets, the other a short distance below at the foot

of Seventy-eighth and East River.71

It is believed that Johnston & Dow, temporarily suffering the loss of their manufactory and

armed with their government contracts and patents, authorized Elam O. Potter, also of New

York, to manufacture their cartridges. This transfer of production, and consequent loss of qual-

ity control, is the likely explanation for the cartridges delivered with the Remington revolvers

being judged inferior.

159

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Later, the bureau forwarded a copy of Drayton’s revolver inspection report to Remington. In

an endorsement on the report, Wise had apparently questioned Remington about the lack of

safety notches on revolvers previously delivered to the bureau. Remington responded on

September 16:

Sir,

In regard to your inquiries endorsed on Captain P. Drayton’s report, we beg leave to say,

that in the Revolvers finished prior to (about) the first of March last, the safety notch

referred to was omitted, (not deeming it of much importance ourselves), since that time

the notch has been made on all the Arms furnished your department.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servants

E. Remington & Sons

Copy to Drayton sent Sept. 18.72

Safety notches were first milled on cylinders of the transition Elliot–New Model Revolvers

with serial numbers in the early 20,000 range of the navy models. By the time the serial num-

bers had reached 22,000, most, if not all, of Remington’s revolvers were equipped with cylinders

with safety notches. As can be seen by the letter above, the addition of safety notches was not

Remington’s idea; they were added to satisfy the Army Ordnance Department, who had received

complaints from the field about their absence.

In a letter to Drayton at the New York yard on September 22, the bureau, in response to his

request for revolver cartridges, provided a clue to the types of revolvers on hand at that yard:

Sir,

The Bureau has received your weekly report of the 19th inst. and has today ordered from

the Ordnance Yard here.

13,200 Cartridges for Colt’s Navy Revolver, cal. .36.

11,400 Cartridges for Colt’s Navy Pistol.

You are authorized by the Bureau, to require the Colt’s Army size, Remington’s,

Savage’s and Starr’s cartridges directly from the manufacturers, there being none of these

on hand at the Ordnance Yard.73

This letter leaves us somewhat confused as to the difference between the Colt Navy Revolver and

the Colt Navy Pistol.

An examination of the bureau’s “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment” reveals an

entry for the delivery of four hundred Remington pistols with appendages and sixty thou-

sand caps to Mound City on October 22, 1863. A search through correspondence for this

period has failed to disclose this order or a response by Remington. An identical letter order

by the bureau dated December 18 was omitted from these records; Remington acknowledged

the order on December 22. The logical conclusion is that the bureau clerks made an entry

error. However, a letter from Wise to Remington on February 18, 1864, seems to verify the

October order:

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CHAPTER SIX

Sirs,

The Bureau has today forwarded to Mr. C. Dimond, (as per your request) your approved

triplicate bills payable by Navy Agent in this city, for 400 Revolvers & 60 M caps del’d at

Mound City, on order of Oct. 18, ’63. & 500 Revolvers & 40 M caps delivered at New York

on order of Nov. 21, ’63 amounting in the aggregate to Eleven thousand and twelve dollars

and fifty cents ($11,012.50).

The Bureau has deducted the Forty thousand (40,000) cartridges from the bill of

revolvers sent to Mound City, and has returned the bill for the 500 revolvers del’d at New

York, which will be paid as soon as receipts have been received from the different Navy

Yards and stations, of the number of condemned cartridges returned to you, the cost of

which will be deducted from the bill.74

In mid-October 1863, the commander of the Baltimore Naval Station requisitioned

forty revolvers. Instead of placing an order with Remington or Whitney, Wise requested

that the ordnance officer at the Philadelphia Navy Yard furnish the revolvers. Lt. Cdr.

John G. Corbin, ordnance officer at the Philadelphia yard, sent the invoice to the bureau on

October 28:

Sir,

Herewith is enclosed invoice for (40) Forty Remington Revolvers, equipments and ammu-

nition, consigned to Comdr. T. A. Dornin, Commanding Naval Station, Baltimore, Md.

in compliance with instructions of Oct. 19th, for the U.S.S. “Iriquois.”75

On the following day, the bureau sent another order to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send to the Naval Academy, Newport R.I., 30 Revolvers and

3000 revolver Cartridges together with 30 screw-drivers and cone keys.76

Remington’s acknowledgment of this order has not been located; however, they did acknowledge

receipt of the approved bills for these revolvers on November 16.

On November 6, the bureau sent the following telegram to Remington:

Telegram from Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Dept.,

Nov. 6, 1863

To Messrs. Remington & Sons, Ilion, Herkimer Co. New York

If you have two hundred (200) revolvers ready please send them to the Ordnance Yard in

this city. Answer immediately.

H. A. Wise, Chief of Bureau77

Remington responded by telegraph on the same day, “Yes and will forward tomorrow.”78

Aulick sent the next order for revolvers on the twenty-first:

161

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send to the New York Navy Yard, in addition to previous orders,

Five hundred (500) Revolvers with the usual amount of Cartridges.

Please acknowledge receipt of this order.79

Remington acknowledged this order on the twenty-fifth and advised the bureau that the

revolvers had been shipped the same day.

On November 27, Wise forwarded another order to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send, in addition to previous orders,

Two Hundred (200) Revolvers to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.80

Remington acknowledged receiving this order on the thirtieth:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Communication of 27th inst. contain-

ing order for two hundred (200) Revolvers, which we forward this afternoon, directed to

Commandant of Navy Yard, Philadelphia.

We send no ammunition with the pistols, as it is not mentioned in the order. If any

are wanted in the present case, you will have the kindness to apprise us by telegraph and

it will be immediately sent forward.81

On December 2, the bureau notified Remington to deliver twenty-five thousand cartridges to the

Philadelphia yard.

An ordnance inspector’s report on the five hundred revolvers delivered to the New York yard

on the order of November 21 revealed more about the flaws found in the Remington revolvers

and the continuing criticism of the Johnston & Dow cartridges:

Ordnance Office, Navy Yard, New York

Dec. 5th, 1863

Captain Percival Drayton

Inspector of Ordnance, New York

Sir,

I have to report that I have tested five hundred (500) Remmington [sic] Revolving Pistols

lately received.

Four of these Pistols were found to be unreliable, in some instances failing to explode

the cap and at other times exploding the cap with so little force that it failed to pierce and

ignite the charge.

The defect lies in the frame of the Pistol, or the shoulder on the hammer which does

not permit it to strike sufficiently close to the nipple to explode the cap: or if so, without

sufficient force. After filing away a small portion of the frame which came in contact with

162

CHAPTER SIX

the hammer, these Pistols were made perfectly reliable, and fit for issue. I think that in all

the Remmington [sic] Pistols, the hammers should be made to approach nearer the nip-

ple, to allow for any wearing away of the latter.

The cartridges used in testing these pistols were of Johnson [sic] & Dows patent, the pow-

der of which, was of a very inferior quality, very dirty, and after three or four rounds, filling

up the grooves of the pistol with a hard sticky substance which could not be wiped out with the

ordinary wiper, turpentine and a piece of brass wire had to be used to clean the grooves.

In conclusion I would add that, these pistols had been fired previous to their being

sent, and were received here by us in a very filthy condition, and would have been badly

rusted had they not been attended to as soon as they were.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant

I. Young, Lieut. Commander

Approved, P. Drayton

Inspector of Ordnance

Send copy of report to Remington and Captain Drayton to send some of the cartridges

to Ord. Yard to be tested.82

This report was closely followed by another from the Washington Ordnance Yard on the eighth:

Memorandum for Bureau

Of the Two Hundred (200) Revolvers furnished this Yard, by E. Remington & Sons, on

Bureau order of Nov. 6, 1863:

One Hundred and ninety five (195) have passed inspection and five (5) are defective

as follows:

No. 23878—Catch of hammer broken

No. 24045—Catch of hammer broken

No. 24135—Plunger does not work well

No. 24137—Front sight out

No. 24332—Plunger bent and broken. Shall the five defective Revolvers be sent to

Remington & Sons by express to be replaced?

Their bill for the 200 is in this office and will be receipted and sent to the Bureau as

soon as the whole number pass inspection.

It would be well to order some spare parts for these Revolvers.

William N. Jeffers, Inspector of Ordnance83

On the day of the above report, Aulick sent Remington a copy of the inspection report on

revolvers delivered on the order of November 21 to the New York yard (figure 85):

Sirs,

The Bureau regrets the necessity of enclosing for your information a copy of a Report just

received from the Ordnance Office at New York on the inspection and trial of 500

Revolvers recently delivered there by you.

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REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Besides the defects in the arm itself, your attention is called to the condition in which

they are said to have been delivered, and of the very inferior quality of the cartridges sent

with them. These latter the Bureau will subject to an analysis and the result will form the

subject of another communication.

You will readily appreciate the embarrassment occasioned by imperfect arms, or inferior

cartridges, especially when the attention of the Ordnance Officers is occupied with more impor-

tant duties than inspecting these articles which should be delivered in perfect condition.84

On December 9, Aulick forwarded Jeffers’s report to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau encloses for your information an extract from a memorandum from the

Ordnance Yard here, in reference to the inspection of 200 Revolvers sent from your manu-

factory on the Bureau’s order of Nov. 6th, 1863.

Will you please direct five other Revolvers to be forwarded in place of these five defec-

tive ones, and also send an assortment of spare parts sufficient for the repair of the whole

200 now referred to?

The defective Revolvers will be returned to you by express.85

Two days later, Aulick sent Remington another revolver order:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send as soon as possible to the New York Navy Yard.

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Figure 85Navy-Adams receipt. (Courtesy: National Archives)

500 Remington Revolvers

50 Hands for do

50 Stop springs for do

The Bureau hopes that in filling this order, its recent letters enclosing memorandums,

will be kept in view.86

The bureau’s growing concern with the quality of the Johnston & Dow cartridges prompted

further tests of both cartridges and revolvers. The following report was made to the inspector of

ordnance at the Washington Navy Yard on December 14:

Lieut. Comdr. William N. Jeffers

Sir,

In obedience to your order, I took two of the Remington Revolvers, and from them I fired

the old ammunition of Johnson [sic] & Dow in the packages marked No. 1, from the other

the new ammunition in package marked No. 2. The first revolver No. 24312 was fired forty

two (42) rounds at a target 20 yards distant. The target was made of yellow pine boards,

each board being one inch thick, separated from each other by a space of one inch and one

eighth, the whole thickness of the target being about twenty inches The penetration was

about five (5) inches—the barrel of the revolver was then examined and was not found to

be more than ordinarily foul.

The second revolver was fired at the same target forty eight (48) times, with the new

cartridges in the packages marked No. 2—the penetration was about 4 inches. The barrel

was then examined and found in good condition or little better than the first. The charges

are much too heavy, making an unpleasant report and recoil. From the condition of the

barrels after firing, I think the powder as good as any now used.

Winfield Scott Schley, Lieut. U.S.N.87

This report was not overly critical of the Johnston & Dow cartridges (figure 86), but further

inspection and tests of both the cartridges and revolvers at the New York yard prompted less

165

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Figure 86Johnston & Dow cartridges.(Author’s collection)

favorable reports to the bureau. Two days later, Remington advised the bureau that they had

received the inspection report from the Washington Ordnance Yard and forwarded five revolvers

to replace those returned. On the following day, Remington acknowledged receipt of the

bureau’s order of December 11 and informed the bureau that the revolvers and spare parts had

been shipped that day. On the eighteenth, Wise forwarded another order:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send to Mound City, Illinois, consigned to Commander Tobias

Stanley, Inspector of Ordnance,

Four Hundred (400) Remmington [sic] Revolvers, Forty thousand (40,000)

Cartridges and Sixty thousand (60,000) Percussion caps.88

Remington acknowledged receipt of this order on December 22 and notified the bureau that

the arms had been forwarded that day. Two days later, Cdr. Edward M. Yard, who was now ord-

nance officer at the New York yard, forwarded yet another report to the bureau:

Sir,

For the information of the Bureau, I respectfully enclose reports made to me of defects of a

lot of Remington Revolvers at this Yard on the 7th inst.

Another invoice was received on the 19th inst., which have not yet been examined.89

Wise advised Remington of this report on the twenty-eighth:

Sirs,

The Bureau encloses for your information copies of reports received from the New York

Navy Yard, upon a more extended inspection of (500) five hundred Revolvers recently

delivered by you.

The Bureau regrets very much the necessity of thus again calling your attention to

these defects especially as in a conversation with the Bureau you assured it that all those

pistols that might be ordered for the Navy would be subjected to a rigid inspection at your

works before delivery.

It will be necessary for you to replace such of this lot as are defective with good and reli-

able arms, and the cost of repairs made at New York will be deducted from future bills.90

THE YEAR OF 1864

On January 2, 1864, Wise forwarded another adverse report on the Johnston & Dow cartridges

to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau encloses for your information, copies of reports received from the Ordnance

Officers at New York upon the Johnson [sic] & Dow cartridges, furnished with your Revolvers.

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CHAPTER SIX

As a result of these reports, the Bureau has directed all the Johnson & Dow [sic]

cartridges now in service, and particularly in New York, to be withdrawn, and returned

to you, and, of course, the value thereof to be deducted from your bills.91

On the fourth, the bureau sent a memorandum to all navy yards and ordnance depots advis-

ing them of the decision to withdraw the Johnston & Dow cartridges from service. Ordnance

officers were ordered to return all such cartridges to Remington. This was followed by orders to

the ordnance officer at the Washington yard to “test the Remington Revolvers with the Colt’s

cartridges.”92 On January 7, this officer advised the bureau, “Colt’s revolver cartridges of .36 cal-

iber have been fired from Remington revolvers and fit it in every way.”93

A review of the army contract records for the Civil War period reveals that the Ordnance

Department also purchased Johnston & Dow cartridges. In addition to several million of their

cartridges for carbines and muskets, the department contracted for or purchased approximately

7.5 million cartridges for both army- and navy-size revolvers. Over ten million Johnston & Dow

cartridges were delivered to the army in 1864 after the navy discontinued their use.

On January 12, 1864, Remington responded to a more extensive report on their revolvers

from the New York yard. I have not located the inspector’s report; however, Remington’s

response and rebuttal covers some of the faults mentioned:

Sir,

In reply to your communication of 28th Dec. with accompanying report of the inspection

of 500 Revolvers, recently delivered by order of the Bureau at the U.S. Navy Yard, New

York, We beg leave to say that all the pistols furnished by us, either for the Navy or Army

are thoroughly inspected in detail. They are then assembled and proved, they are stripped,

thoroughly cleaned and then reassembled.

We have furnished a large number of these arms (upwards of 50,000) to the

Government and the trade during the past three years, and have had but comparatively

little complaint made and that mainly from the Navy Yard at New York.

We do not call to mind a single instance of complaint respecting the “Navy” pistols

which we have furnished outside of the New York Yard whether to the Army, Navy, or

to the trade, (the same in all respects as those recently furnished your Department).

We are consequently at a loss to know how it is that so much fault is found at that

particular point.

On receipt of the order for the last 500 Revolvers, owing to the previous complaints we

had them all re-inspected as to be sure they were in every respect, not only serviceable,

but were clean and in perfect order before they left our Armory.

In regard to the detailed report by Mr. Angell (gunsmith) we would remark in reply

to his several complaints. With reference to the hammer striking upon the shoulder in the

frame in place of the cone, and weakness of the mainspring—We would say that the frame

and hammer are designed and constructed so that the hammer shall not strike dead upon

the cone, unless a cap is on the cone, in which case it receives the full force of the hammer.

In regard to the weakness of the mainspring, we would say they are all made to conform

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REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

to a standard gauge, and are subject to the required test. The springs are the same that

were in the pistols when proved by us and found to be correct.

The difficulty in this case, (as we believe it will be found in most if not all the other

complaints), grows out of the want of a clear and full understanding of the arm. Had Mr.

Angell after he proved and stripped the pistols (as he is said to have done), have returned

the set screw to the point he found it on stripping the pistols, he would have found no

difficulty from the spring not being stiff enough to explode the cap.

With reference to the screw used in attaching the hand to the cock or hammer.

It is barely possible that there might have been some grounds for complaint at this

point, yet we have had no instance that has come to our knowledge before, of a deficiency

there. The report further mentions the failure of many to ignite the cartridge caused

partly by the vent in the base of the nipple or cone being too small &c.

In reply we should say that the cones are made in accordance with a standard and are

uniform as to the size of the vent &c. They are precisely the same as those we use in our

Army pistols for the Government, and when the pistol is in order we believe no difficulty

will appear. Misfire is frequently caused the first time using a pistol in consequence of the

cylinder and cone being surcharged with oil. Caps should be first snapped upon all the

cones to clear them before loading.

The report also states that the casehardening of the hammer is too hard, notches

break, cannot be filed &c.

It is not intended that the hammer should be soft so as to be filed. Experience has

shown that if any adjustment is required with the notches of the hammer, such adjust-

ment should be made on the point of the sear or trigger and not on the hammer. It is pos-

sible that some of the notches may break in consequence of the hammer being too hard.

(That is liable to take place in all arms to a greater or less extent).

It is a fault, (if it can be called one) in the right direction. It is better that the ham-

mer should be too hard, rather than too soft.

As to the alleged inequality of the cones, some screwing in easy, and others hard, we can

only say this, that the cone as well as the cylinder is made so far as we are aware to conform

to a fixed and permanent standard and both are subjected to a close and careful inspection.

It may be true however that some slight variation may occur at this point, although

not sufficient we believe in any case to impair in the least the durability of the pistol.

We are unable to perceive any reason for the additional complaint, with reference to a

difficulty in getting the cock or hammer to its place, as we cannot see any difficulty in

inserting the hammer in its place even by an inexperienced person, as there is only one

way in which it can be done and that is exceedingly simple.

We have not yet received the defective pistols from the New York Navy Yard. We will

replace the same as soon as they are returned or before, if informed of the exact number

to be received. Should you favor us with further orders we respectfully ask that we may be

notified of the time when the pistols will be proved or inspected, so that we may be present

and see for ourselves such defects as may be found as it is important for us to know if the

several defects complained of, do really exist.

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We certainly do not desire, on our part to make, much less to furnish the Government

an inferior or imperfect article.94

The navy returned the defective revolvers to Remington, who provided the replacements to

Commander Yard at New York. This officer then forwarded his report on the revolvers to the

chief of the bureau on February 8:

Sir,

In answer to the Bureaus letter of the 6th instant. I have to state that the Thirty Two (32)

rejected Pistols of Remington & Sons: Invoice of 500, delivered 7th, December 1863 have

been replaced with a like number which have been inspected and received. Also Twenty-

eight of the Invoice of 19th Dec. 63, which were rejected, have been replaced with a like

number of reliable arms and the rejected Pistols are this day returned.

I have receipted to Messrs. Remington & Son for the full number (500) of each invoice.

I am pleased to say, the replaced arms exhibit greater care in their finish.95

After receiving these many complaints about Remington revolvers, the bureau discontinued

placing such orders with Remington for several months. I have located many pieces of corre-

spondence for this period; the primary subjects were the rejected revolvers and cartridges and

settlement of financial accounts for revolvers delivered in 1863. During the interim, the bureau

satisfied their revolver needs by ordering from Whitney.

In early March, the bureau sent a most unusual request to Remington, especially in light of

the withdrawal of Johnston & Dow cartridges from naval service, and ordered twenty-six thou-

sand cartridges for the New York yard. They were delivered on March 11, and on March 15, Wise

sent the following letter to Remington:

Sirs,

Your letter of the 11th inst. enclosing a bill and receipt for 26 M Cartridges delivered at

New York, has been received and:

The Bureau herewith returns the bill and desires that you will quote across the face of

the same the date of the order under which they were delivered. The receipt is also

enclosed, having quoted across the face, the date of the Bureaus order of Nov. 21st, ’63, for

500 Revolvers and the usual amount of ammunition, which would be 50 M Cartridges or

100 Cartridges to each revolver.

You will therefore please inform the Bureau why the 100 M as named in the receipt

were delivered.96

Remington explained that the confusion had been caused by referring to a previous order in which

one hundred thousand cartridges had been delivered with an order for five hundred revolvers.

On April 22, the bureau notified Remington that the cartridges delivered to the New

York yard had been found defective and would be returned. Remington responded on the

twenty-seventh:

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REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Sir,

We have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of 22nd inst. enclosing

approved triplicate bills for Arms, furnished the Bureau amounting to $2,357.40.

We notice your remarks, relative to the cartridges, returned, and have to say that,

Messrs. Johnston & Dow, would no doubt prefer to replace the defective cartridges with

good ones, than to have them returned.

Any future bills the Bureau may have in our favor, we wish passed over to Mr. C. R.

Dimond, our attorney in your city, he having been duly authorized, to “receive and

receipt for them.”97

In his reply on the twenty-ninth, Wise ignored Remington’s remarks in regard to replacing

the cartridges:

Sirs,

Your letter of the 27th inst. has just been received:

As Mr. Dimond has been repeatedly requested by the Bureau to produce his license

for acting as an agent, as required by the Internal Revenue Office, and has refused to do

so, your bills will be forwarded direct to you.98

On May 10, Wise resumed ordering revolvers from Remington:

Sir,

The Bureau desires you to furnish and deliver to the Ordnance Officer at the New York

Navy Yard, subject to inspection and proof by him.

Five hundred (500) Remington Revolvers, without cartridges.99

The following day, Wise sent the following inquiry to Remington:

Sirs,

The Bureau wishes to know if you have yet taken any steps to prepare the model single-

barreled pistol suggested during a personal interview at the Bureau some time since.

Such a weapon is very much needed for Naval purposes.100

This was in reference to Joseph Rider’s “Split-Breech” cartridge pistol that Remington was in

the process of developing but had not yet perfected. After Wise took command of the bureau in

June 1863, he encouraged both Whitney and Remington to develop a single-shot breech-loading

pistol for adoption by the navy. In his annual report to the secretary of the navy for 1863, Wise

first expressed his views on this subject, from which I quote in part:

SMALL ARMS

The same difficulties were experienced in supplying the navy with small arms at the

commencement of the war as with heavy guns; for it had been customary to rely

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CHAPTER SIX

mainly upon the army for the limited number required in the ordinary operations of a

time of peace. The navy was, consequently, obliged to make use of every available

description of arm in it’s [sic] possession and to buy at once what could not be

obtained from the army.

Hence the present stock is made up of a number of different styles and calibres,

partly breech-loaders, and the want of uniformity in this respect is felt to be very

embarrassing. The subject is one which the Bureau considers of much importance,

and will, at no distant day, make it a matter of special investigation.

The proposition will be to adopt one calibre of musket and one of carbine—the

former a muzzle-loader, the latter a breech-loader, for boat service; and this it is at

present believed will be best obtained by using altogether the “Plymouth” pattern of

musket. (Ten thousand of which are now being delivered by Mr. Whitney, of

Connecticut,) and the Sharps and Hankins breech-loading carbine.

As a belt weapon for boarding and similar operations there are also several vari-

eties of revolvers furnished to our ships. These however are objectionable in the hands

of seamen, and should be restricted to the officers. For the former a large bore, single-

barrel pistol is by far the most useful; and as the stock of such arms is entirely

exhausted, the Bureau has in contemplation a single-barrel breech-loader, which, it is

believed, will prove very effective, and, together with the new cutlass, of which there is

an ample supply on hand, will be the most suitable weapons for our boarders.

This pistol, together with the carbine of the same caliber, will have the metallic

cartridge, which possesses in a great degree the advantages of safety, and certainly is

the proper kind for breech-loading arms.101

Again, in his annual report for 1865, Wise repeated his views on the necessity of adopting a

breech-loading pistol for naval service. His efforts eventually led to the bureau’s adoption of the

Remington Rolling Block Pistol.

On May 16, Remington responded to the order of May 10:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication under date of 10th

inst. containing order for 500 Revolvers.

Having received no orders from the Bureau for some time past, we recently disposed

of our stock of Navy pistols to the trade, and the tools and machinery heretofore employed

upon this arm, having been mainly adjusted to the manufacture of Army size Revolvers,

we are unable at present to turn out but a limited number of the Navy pistols and should

require about 20 days to execute the Bureau’s order for 500.

The cost of manufacturing having very largely advanced during the past year, we pre-

sume that in view of this fact, the Bureau will allow us the same price for the pistols that

we are now receiving from the trade, viz.: $14.00 should the order be confirmed.

If under the existing circumstances, it is desired that we should furnish the pistols, we

shall proceed to do so, with as little delay as possible.102

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REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Wise replied on the thirty-first:

Sirs,

Your letter of the 16th inst. has been received and:

The Bureau in consideration of the increase in price proposed by you, must rescind its

order of the 10th inst. for five hundred (500) Revolvers, as they can be obtained at the old

price of Twelve dollars ($12.00) each.103

Once again, the bureau was relying on Whitney to satisfy the navy’s revolver needs. On

May 30, Cdr. L. Stanley, ordnance officer at Mound City, forwarded his weekly requisition to

the bureau:

Sir,

There is required for General Issue in this Department,

300 Revolvers, cal 36.

300 Swords and Scabbards.

The kind of Revolvers is left to the discretion of the Bureau.104

A notation on this requisition indicated that the revolvers were to be sent from the New York

yard. On June 2, Wise sent an order for revolvers to Whitney; the latter’s response indicated that

they were in arrears in making such deliveries. The bureau, concerned that Whitney’s revolver

production would not be sufficient, once again contacted Remington:

Telegram from Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Dept.

June 4, 1864

To Messrs. E. Remington & Sons

Please say at what rate you will furnish this Bureau with five hundred (500) Revolvers

and how soon?

R. Aulick105

Remington reconsidered their decision of the sixteenth and sent the following telegram:

Office U.S. Military Telegraph

Ilion June 6, 1864.

R. Aulick, Asst. Chf. Bu. Ord.

Can furnish five hundred in fifteen days, three hundred if desired in ten days.

Price Thirteen dollars.

E. Remington & Sons106

The bureau responded two days later:

To E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, Herkimer Co. N.Y.

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CHAPTER SIX

Telegram in relation to revolvers received. Bureau can only give twelve (12) dollars apiece

for them. If you will accept this, answer by telegram and the order will be forwarded.

R. Aulick

June 8, 11 am Asst., Chief of Bureau107

That same day, Remington’s representative personally visited the bureau to discuss the

revolver price. Once again, Remington relented and agreed to the twelve-dollar price:

Washington, June 8th, 1864

Sir,

We have the honor to propose that we will furnish your Department with 500 Navy

Revolvers at $12. each. We desire on delivery of the same if at the New York Navy Yard the

privilege of having one of our inspectors present on the inspection and proof of the same.108

Aulick sent the bureau’s order on the following day:

Sirs,

The Bureau accepts the proposition contained in your letter of June 8th to furnish 500

Remington Revolvers at $12. each.

Be pleased therefore to deliver them at the New York Navy Yard as soon as practicable

and the Bureau has directed the Ordnance Officer to permit an Inspector from your works

to be present when they are examined and proved.109

On July 15, Aulick ordered two hundred revolvers and twenty thousand cartridges to be

delivered to the Washington Ordnance Yard. Remington acknowledged their receipt of this order

on July 20:

Sir,

We are in receipt of the Bureau’s order for 200 Remington Navy Revolvers with 100 car-

tridges for each. We have not the revolvers on hand, finished, but will complete and for-

ward them soon as possible.

In reference to cartridges, we would remark that we have had none manufactured for

our pistol excepting the Johnston & Dow Cartridge and as those heretofore furnished your

Department have failed to give satisfaction, it will not be convenient for us to supply the

cartridges ordered.

Owing to the greatly enhanced cost of material and labor at the present time, we shall be

constrained to charge $15.00 each for our Navy Revolvers in the future, should the Bureau

have occasion to send us further orders, unless in the meantime the cost of material and labor

should recede from the present rates, which are nearly quite double the prices formerly paid

for same. The present order of the Bureau will be executed at the old price ($12.00).

Referring to your communication of the 11th instant, we would say that we hope to

present our Navy Carbine for trial in course of next week. We would also state that we are

173

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

now engaged in preparing the model of our single barreled Navy Pistol for metallic car-

tridge, and as soon as completed, we shall take pleasure in presenting it to the Bureau for

examination and trial.110

Upon receipt, the bureau telegraphed the ordnance officer at the Washington yard to inquire

if cartridges were required with the two hundred revolvers. After receiving assurances that they

were not, Aulick again contacted Remington on July 22:

Sirs,

Your letter of the 20th inst. has been received: and:

The Bureau under the circumstances, as named therein, rescinds that portion of it’s

[sic] order of the 15th inst., to deliver one hundred cartridges with each revolver, but

desires you to deliver the Revolvers as soon as practicable.111

On the twenty-eighth, Aulick forwarded the following letter to Remington:

Sirs,

Enclosed herewith is a report of inspection (July 27th) of the 500 Revolvers sent by you to

New York under the Bureau’s order of June 9th.

The twenty seven (27) rejected Revolvers you will please replace with perfect ones.112

Aulick had enclosed the applicable inspection reports:

July 27th, 1864

Commander Henry A. Wise U.S.N.

Sir,

Messrs. Remington & Sons have offered 500 Revolvers as per Bureau’s order dated 9th June.

After proof and inspection, 473 of them have been passed as good; and 27

rejected, for various defects, viz: broken main, sear and hand springs; broken half

cock notch; screws loose, (sear and hammer pivot) no thread having been cut into

the frame, pawl screw working out against the frame jambs and prevents action,

broken cone.

The countersink in the lower part of the barrel not sufficient, the lead from the ball

being forced out through the joint when fired stops the revolution of the cylinder.

The above objections refer particularly to the 27 rejected pistols.

There are other defects besides, which characterize the pistols of Remington’s construction.

1st—The hammer often strikes on the wall surrounding the cone, and not on the cap;

owing to their irregular revolution.

2nd—The hammer in striking, or, when let down, is not designed to touch the cone,

but to fall short of it, say, equal to the five hundredths of an inch; owing to this peculiar-

ity, and, perhaps to some degree, to the want of force in the spring, the caps often fail

to explode.

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CHAPTER SIX

3rd—The ramrod catch, and sight piece, being attached to the barrel by screwing into

the barrel, only a large 1/16 of an inch are observed to work loose.

Nothing but cone wrenches and screw drivers accompany Remington’s pistols; no

spare parts of any description.

H. H. Bell, Inspector of Ordnance113

In their January 12 letter to Wise, Remington had noted that most of the criticism of their

revolvers was originating at the New York yard and requested that a factory representative be

present when the next lot of revolvers was inspected. Upon accepting the order of June 8 for the

New York yard, Remington had again requested, “We desire on delivery of the same if at the New

York Navy Yard, the privilege of having one of our inspectors present on the inspection and

proof of the same.”114 In their response of the next day, the bureau authorized such a procedure.

The correspondence regarding this lot of revolvers gives no clue as to whether a factory repre-

sentative was present or not.

Shortly after receiving the report from New York, the bureau received another, this one in

reference to the two hundred revolvers delivered to the Washington yard on August 9:

August 17th, 1864

Lieut. Comdr. William Jeffers

Inspector of Ordnance

Sir,

I have fired for test eighty Remington Revolvers representing a lot of 200 received at the

Ordnance Office.

They were fired with success, except Nos. 28382 and 28305 which had one short nipple

each, so short, as to prevent the hammer from exploding the cap. No. 28400 was defective

in the rammer, it being set too much towards centre of the cylinder, as to prevent its

entering the barrel, consequently this Pistol could not be fired.

D. E. Stanton

Respectfully forwarded to the Bureau of Ordnance

Thomas Poynton Ives, Lieut. U.S.N.

Asst. Inspector of Ordnance115

Under separate cover, Stanton reported an interesting incident that occurred during the test

of these revolvers:

August 15th, 1864

Lieut. Comdr. William N. Jeffers

Inspector of Ordnance

Sir,

On the morning of the 13th day of August, according to instructions, I proceeded to fire for

test, fifty Remington Revolvers, representing a lot of two hundred received at the

Ordnance Office.

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REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

I selected my position in front of the experimental battery, and placed a wood target

(of the usual dimensions) on the edge of the wharf, in line with the iron target, out in

the river.

To the right of the line of fire about 75 feet, was the U.S.S. Bebb, on the left, the

U.S.S. Ascutney, a clear space of 200 feet being allowed for my purpose. On the left of the

U.S.S. Ascutney, concealed from my view, (from where I fired,) was anchored the U.S.S.

Teaser 200 feet from the U.S.S. Ascutney, and 200 yards from the iron target.

Previous to my firing, the Marine guard, discharged their guns as usual, after which,

the crew of the Teaser commenced their drill, as I judged from the commotion and firing

of their pistols.

I directed the two men from the Armory to do the firing, which was then commenced.

Fifteen pistols were fired with care, the balls striking in line, and hitting the target, as

I observed.

The firing on the U.S.S. Teaser now ceased, and was soon afterwards followed by a

Cry—stops that firing!! &c which I obeyed—A Masters Mate was found wounded in the

back of the head by a portion of the spent ball said to have been fired by my men.

These are the facts concerning this accident. Whether a lead ball 120 grs., might on

striking an iron target about 200 yards distance, and glance to the rear at an angle of 65

degrees and 200 yards distance, with sufficient force to inflict a wound, I do not know.

The man wounded, was not in sight, nor did he attempt to pass the line of fire.

I discontinued the firing here, and removed to the former place near the gun-carriage

shop where I completed the test.

D. E. Stanton

Respectfully forwarded to the Bureau of Ordnance

Thomas Poynton Ives

Lieut. U.S.N., Asst. Inspector of Ordnance116

Stanton mentioned only three revolvers in his report but returned four to Remington. Their

replacements suffered some misadventure in transit, and the Washington Ordnance Yard did not

acknowledge their receipt until October 28:

Navy Ordnance Yard, Washington City

Oct. 28th ’64

Memorandum for Bureau of Ordnance respecting Remington Revolvers.

Of the four (4) Remington Revolvers receipted to the Bureau for today, three (3) of them,

No. 28582, 28730 & 28713, were found slightly defective and were repaired here.

I would recommend the manufacturers attention to be called to this defect, so that it

may be remedied in the future:

The ramrod strikes on the cylinder and will not enter all the holes (chambers) with-

out force when the revolver is empty. When it is being loaded the bullet guides it in with-

out much difficulty.

William N. Jeffers, Inspector of Ordnance117

176

CHAPTER SIX

William N. Jeffers would later be appointed chief of ordnance (figure 87). The serial num-

bers mentioned in these two reports are most enlightening to the arms student. From the known

serial number range of the navy revolvers delivered to the army in December 1862

(19,000–20,000) and the serial numbers of the revolvers delivered to the navy in August 1864

(numbers in the mid-28,000 range), we can deduce that there were approximately nine thousand

navy revolvers manufactured during this period. The known bureau orders during this time

frame total only 5,750 revolvers, and as the last deliveries of the navy revolvers to the army

occurred in December 1862, we can logically assume that approximately 3,000 navy revolvers

were sold to the commercial trade between December 1862 and August 1864.

After receiving the revolvers ordered in June and July of 1864, the bureau ordered no addi-

tional revolvers from Remington until December. During this interim, in October, Remington

submitted a breech-loading pistol (split-breech action) to the bureau for examination and test-

ing (figure 88). This pistol received very favorable reports from ordnance inspectors, but neither

the army nor navy submitted orders for the pistol.

On December 10, the ordnance officer for the Mississippi River Squadron in Mound

City ordered five hundred revolvers. On the fifteenth, Wise ordered 250 each from Whitney

and Remington:

177

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Figure 87Capt. William N. Jeffersaboard the U.S.S.Monitor. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send to the New York Navy Yard, as soon as possible, for

inspection and shipment to Mound City, Illinois.

Two hundred & fifty (250) Remington Revolvers .36.118

It is interesting to note that this order was directed to the New York yard for inspection before

being shipped to Mound City. I have not located the ordnance inspector’s report. The bureau

delivered the invoices and inspector’s receipt to Remington in the last week of January 1865, so I

assume that this lot of revolvers passed inspection without incident.

THE YEAR OF 1865

On January 10, 1865, Wise placed the final wartime order for Remington revolvers:

Sirs,

The Bureau desires you to send to the Ordnance Yard in this City, (200) Two hundred

Revolvers subject to the usual inspection.119

178

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 88Prototype Remington Split-Breech Pistol submitted to the Bureau of Ordnance for testing.(Author’s photograph)

On February 1, the bureau transmitted approved bills for the 250 revolvers delivered to the New

York yard and notified Remington,“The Bureau was not aware that you had increased the price of the

Revolvers to Fifteen dollars ($15) each, or the order would not have been given, as they can be pur-

chased at a lower price.”120 Remington acknowledged receipt of this letter on February 5, writing, “On

the 20th of July 1864, we advised the Bureau, that any future orders, that might be given us for pistols,

would be executed at fifteen dollars ($15.) each, to which we respectfully call your attention.”121

Twice during the previous two years, Remington had requested a price increase, but the bureau had

strenuously objected. In August 1864, when Whitney had made the same request, the bureau had granted

the increase without objection but made no effort to notify Remington of the increase allowed to Whitney.

On February 20, Wise notified Remington of the inspector’s report on the last lot of

revolvers delivered to the Washington yard:

Sir,

The Bureau encloses for your information and future guidance in supplying Navy

Revolvers the report of the inspection of two hundred pistols recently received at the

Ordnance Yard from your establishment.122

This letter was accompanied by the ordnance officer’s report:

Navy Ordnance Yard, Washington City

February 10th, 1865

Lieut. Comdr. William N. Jeffers

Inspector of Ordnance

Sir,

In obedience to your orders we have fired and inspected (200) Two hundred

“Remmington” [sic] Revolvers, 12 rounds each, and have to report as follows:

The mechanical construction of these pistols shows a general carelessness in workmanship.

In many cases the stop spring of the cylinder was broken.

The inspection results as follows.

98 defective

102 serviceable

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant

D. E. Stanton

Respectfully forwarded to the Bureau of Ordnance with the recommendation that the

98 defective revolvers be returned to Remmington [sic] & Sons, to be made serviceable

and returned at their expense. Receipts for the 200 will be forwarded to the Bureau for

payment as soon as they all pass.

Very Respectfully

William N. Jeffers, Inspector of Ordnance

Approved: and send copy of this report, 21st Feb. 1865

H. A. Wise Chief of Bureau of Ordnance

Copy sent to Remmington Feb. 21.123

179

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Remington received their copy of this report and responded on February 28:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 21st inst. with

accompanying report of the inspection of the 200 Remington Revolvers recently deliv-

ered at the Washington Navy Yard.

These pistols we suppose to have been similar in all respects to those heretofore fur-

nished your Department and the report of the inspection differing so greatly from any

heretofore received, we are wholly unable to account for it.

We shall feel obliged if you will have the 98 defective pistols returned to us by

express, with a memorandum accompanying the same, from the Inspector, specifying

the several defects for which the pistols were rejected, that we may be able in replacing

them, to send such as will be approved.124

The bureau returned the defective revolvers; three months passed before the ordnance

inspector executed his report on the ninety-eight replacement revolvers. I have not ascertained

the reason for the protracted delay but assume that Remington was concentrating on filling

the final quota on their Ordnance Department contract for army revolvers during March. The

month of April was probably chaotic at the Ilion plant as decisions were made concerning the

return to peacetime production:

Washington D.C., May 18th 1865

Commander William N. Jeffers

Inspector of Ordnance

Sirs,

I have carefully examined the (98) ninety eight Remington Revolvers sent to replace

that number found defective in a lot of (200) two hundred received at this yard

February 4th 1865, and I have to report (16) of the (98) ninety eight, as defective in the

workmanship as the barrels are badly fitted in the part that screws into the frame, it

being so loose that it can be screwed past the position in which the sight had been

adjusted and is liable to be thus turned in firing, by turning back the barrel one or two

turns they fit very loosely in the frame. Many of the cones are very defective—it will

require (42) forty two cones to replace those found defective in the (75) seventy five [sic]

pistols received.

Wm. Burdett, Acting Master U.S.N. Respectfully forwarded and recommend that they

be returned to the manufacturers.

William N. Jeffers,

Inspector of Ordnance in charge

Copy sent to Remington May 20, 1865.125

Burdett’s figures are incomprehensible; nevertheless, sixteen revolvers were ordered returned

to Remington for replacement. Remington replied on June 9:

180

CHAPTER SIX

Sir,

We forwarded to the Ordnance Officer at the Navy Yard in your City 16 Navy Pistols

to replace a like number returned to us as defective, B.L. of which we have the honor

of transmitting.

As soon as the arms are approved we should be pleased to receive the usual vouchers.126

There was a notation at the bottom of this letter: “The 16 were fired and passed inspection.” The

bureau sent the approved bills for payment on June 17, 1865, almost five months after receiving

the original lot of revolvers.

My count of defective revolvers returned to Remington by the navy is 230, less than 4 per-

cent of the navy’s wartime purchases. When compared to the number of army revolvers rejected

or not submitted to army ordnance inspectors for fear of condemnation, this percentage is quite

low. During the Civil War, Remington manufactured approximately 149,000 army revolvers; of

these, the Ordnance Department accepted only 116,000.

At first glance it might appear that Remington was producing more than their share of infe-

rior arms during the war, but a close examination of all the facts reveals that their situation was

not unique. I have previously discussed Remington’s difficulties in acquiring raw materials and

machinery and also their problems in retaining qualified mechanics. In spite of these difficul-

ties, the armory expanded its prewar production from a few hundred arms a year and furnished

the government, either by contract or purchase, nearly 135,000 revolvers and approximately

27,000 rifles and muskets from August 1861 through March 1865. The navy ordered a total of

6,360 navy models. One order for four hundred revolvers is suspect; the “letter order” has not

yet been located, although the order is registered in the bureau’s “Record of Accounts Approved

for Payment.”127 The majority, over five thousand, were New Models, but the absence of any

serial number information on the early orders makes it impossible to determine how many of

the Beals or Elliot models were delivered.

I have found no evidence to suggest that the navy received any Remington Army Revolvers

from Remington or the Army Ordnance Department. I have located requisitions from the

Bureau of Ordnance to the Army Ordnance Department for army revolvers but in most

instances was unable to identify the type of revolvers delivered. There are several payments reg-

istered in the bureau’s “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment” to the credit of Colt Patent

F. A. Company for “Holster Cartridges,” which may be further evidence that the navy was using

Colt Army Revolvers.128 The bureau also offered Colt Armies for auction during the sales of sur-

plus arms in the 1870s.

Due to wartime exigencies in the early months of the conflict, the navy suspended formal

inspection of revolvers. There are numerous reports on the inspection and testing of Colt,

Remington, and Whitney revolvers delivered to the navy, but few of these arms were marked by

inspectors as they were in the prewar years. The only known exceptions were nine hundred

Whitney Navy Revolvers delivered during Frank C. Warner’s tenure at the Whitneyville Armory

while inspecting Plymouth Rifles for the navy. The occasional Remington revolvers encountered

with authentic naval inspector’s marks are arms that were purchased during the war and marked

during postwar inspection procedures to show that they were still serviceable.

181

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

The bureau’s “Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy,” 1866 edition, gives the

instructions for “Marking Small Arms” as follows:

It is directed that hereafter, all small arms, when passed by the Inspector, be stamped

in the following manner:

MUSKETS, CARBINES, AND PISTOLS

On the top of the barrel, near the breech, with an anchor and, on the lockplate,

the letter P over the initials of the Inspector, thus: A.PR.REVOLVERS

On the top of the barrel, near the cylinder, with an anchor; and, on the face of the

cylinder, the letter P over the initials of the Inspector, as above.129

These ordnance instructions seem to have been ignored or variously interpreted at different

navy yards. Many of the Remington, Whitney, and Colt revolvers, purchased by the bureau dur-

ing the war, have only an anchor stamped on the barrel. A far lesser number have the inspector’s

initials stamped on the front of the cylinder, and occasionally the initials are found on the side

of the cylinder.

182

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 89Powder monkey ondeck of the U.S.S. NewHampshire. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

Specimens with any inspector’s marks seem to be quite rare, suggesting that many of the

navy’s Civil War revolvers received no postwar inspection (figure 90). Very few of the navy’s

Remington revolvers that were altered to cartridge in 1875–76 have any naval markings. A new

cylinder was installed at the time of alteration, consequently, any inspector’s marks on the cylin-

der would have been lost.

The following are the names and ranks of the inspectors and assistant inspectors of ord-

nance who examined or tested Remington and Whitney revolvers delivered to the various navy

yards and stations during the Civil War:

O. C. Badger, lieutenant commander H. H. Bell, commodore

Jos. M. Bradford, assistant quartermaster William M. Burdett, acting master

John G. Corbin, commander James B. Davis

Percival Drayton, captain A. K. Hengless, commander

Thomas P. Ives, lieutenant William N. Jeffers, lieutenant commander

Jno H. Krisell, lieutenant commander J. S. Missroon, commodore

183

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Figure 90Postwar inspection stampsfound on Colt, Remington,and Whitney revolvers.(Author’s collection)

W. Mitchell, lieutenant commander J. Nicholson, commander

A. B. Norton D. Phoenix, lieutenant commander

F. A. Parker, lieutenant commander W. W. Queen, lieutenant commander

J. H. Russell, lieutenant commander J. P. Sanford, lieutenant

Winfield S. Schley, lieutenant Joseph S. Skerrett, lieutenant commander

Tobias Stanley, commander D. E. Stanton

Edward M. Yard, commander J. Young, lieutenant commander

All of these inspectors have been identified from reports and letters submitted to the chief

of the bureau. On those revolvers that were reinspected after the Civil War, four different inspec-

tors’ stamps have been noted. The initials of John R. Goldsborough (figure 91), Guert

Gansevoort, and Henry K. Hoff have been identified, but the fourth mark, “GMC,” has not. It is

possible that there are others that have escaped my attention. I have also seen Colts and

Whitneys with these same inspectors’ stamps. Surviving specimens bearing any of these marks

seem to be rare.

184

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 91Inspector of ordnance, Capt. JohnGoldsborough, U.S. Navy. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

Remington Navy Revolver serial number 31,039 has only the ordnance anchor stamp on the

barrel (figure 92). The highest serial number I have recorded is 31,599, and it also has only the

anchor stamp. These numbers may seem to be too high to have been included in Remington’s

wartime deliveries to the navy, especially since we are aware of revolvers in the 28,000 serial

number range delivered in August 1864, with the final revolver order occurring in January 1865.

However, it must not be forgotten that the final replacement of the revolvers, rejected in

February, did not occur until June 1865. Although Remington discontinued the manufacture of

army revolvers at the end of the war, they continued to produce navy models for the commer-

cial market.

Since Remington’s percussion revolver production and sales records have either been lost or

destroyed, one of my goals has been to reconstruct them when possible. I think that my investi-

gation will now permit this for the navy models, from their introduction in 1861 to the final

deliveries to the navy in May 1865.

In a previous chapter I detailed Remington’s sales of navy model revolvers to the army’s

Ordnance Department and commercial arms dealers; that study ended with the final deliveries

of Elliot Navy Revolvers to the department in December 1862. To continue the study, we must

return to the first contract deliveries to the army; the starting point here is serial number 13,484,

which is the lowest martially marked Remington Beals Navy that I have encountered. The high

point is serial number 31,599. By subtracting the low (13,484) from the high (31,599) and further

subtracting the known navy revolver deliveries to the army (5,001) and navy (6,360), we can

deduce that approximately 6,700 navy revolvers were furnished to the commercial market

between June 1862 and June 1865.

The Remington percussion revolvers were to remain a part of the navy’s small arms arsenal

until 1875, but the navy did not issue revolvers to seamen for many years after taking delivery of

the single-shot Remington Rolling Block Pistols (figure 93). In May 1869, the chief of the bureau

responded to an inquiry from the ordnance inspector at the New York yard:

185

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

Figure 92Postwar inspected Remington New Model Navy Revolver, serial number 31,039. (Author’s collection)

Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department

Washington City, May 13, 1869

Rear Admiral S. W. Godon

Commandant, New York

Admiral:

The letter of the Inspector of Ordnance of the 12th instant, No. 105, in relation to revolvers

for Officers has been received.

The new Navy breechloading pistol is intended to replace all other pistols in the hands

of seamen. But the Bureau has no objection to supplying revolvers to the Officers upon a

requisition from the Commanders of ships, approved by the Commandant.

I am Sir, J. A. Dahlgren

R. Admiral & Chief of Bureau130

The following November, the previous order was repeated in a circular to all the navy yards

and stations by Dahlgren’s successor at the bureau, A. Ludlow Case:

Nov. 23rd, 1869

“CIRCULAR”

Commodore J. A. Winslow

Commandant, Navy Yard,

Portsmouth, N.H.

Sir:

The new Navy breech-loading Pistols will in the future be issued to the service, in lieu

of all other pistols, for the crews of ships and revolvers will only be issued for the use of

the Officers.

186

CHAPTER SIX

Figure 93A navy artist’s sketch of an early example of a Remington Rolling Block Pistol submitted to the Bureau ofOrdnance for testing. (Courtesy: National Archives)

I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant

A. Ludlow Case,

Chief of Bureau131

This policy remained in effect until after Capt. Montgomery Sicard assumed command of the

bureau in 1881.

The bureau continued to order parts for Remington revolvers for several years. Such an

order in 1872 gives a clue to the type of revolvers on hand at the Mare Island Naval Station:

Office of Remingtons Armory

Ilion, N.Y. 12th Mch. 1872

Bureau of Ordnance

Navy Yard, Washington D.C.

Gentlemen,

In your order for spare parts dated 8th March, first item we read as “screws for keys,”

Remington Navy Revolvers.

We do not understand just what you want as we have no screw which we know as

above. Please explain.

Yours Truly,

E. Remington & Sons132

This inquiry was referred to the ordnance officer, New York yard. He endorsed the inquiry

as follows:

New York Navy Yard, Ordnance Office

March 15th, 1872

The within mentioned screws were required from Mare Island, and the original requisi-

tion (5) reads thus: “20 screws for the key of Remington Revolvers.”

It is supposed at this office that the screw wanted is that in the inner groove of the

rammer, confining the “base pin” in place when the piece is fired.

Monty Sicard

Comdr. & Asst. Insp. of Ord.133

The bureau chief was evidently not completely satisfied with this explanation and referred

the inquiry back to Mare Island. Eventually, Mare Island responded to the bureau, and the latter

to Remington:

Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department

Washington City, 5th April, 1872

Messrs. E. Remington & Sons

Ilion, N.Y.

Sirs,

187

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS PURCHASED BY THE U.S. NAVY

In reply to your letter of the 12th March, would state that the “screw for keys,” is in the

inner groove of the rammer which confines the base pin in place.

I am Sirs, Your Obedient Servant

A. Ludlow Case, Chief of Bureau134

The revolvers referred to were either Elliot models or Elliot–New Model transition revolvers

with the Elliot patent loading lever and arbor pin.

Before concluding this chapter, a brief word about the appendages furnished with

Remington Navy Revolvers seems appropriate. In early Remington correspondence, I noted that

a bullet mold, a combination screwdriver–nipple wrench, and spare parts were furnished with

each revolver (see letters in this chapter, Remington to Bureau of Ordnance, August 23 and

September 19, 1862). Late in the war, a naval ordnance officer complained about the lack of

accoutrements and spare parts being delivered with the revolvers (see inspector’s report in this

chapter, July 27, 1864). These facts seem to suggest that Remington ceased furnishing molds to

the navy in mid-1863, at the same time that they stopped such deliveries to the army. Bullet

molds for the martial Remington revolvers are quite scarce and are recognized by the sub-

inspector’s initial stamped on the right handle of the mold. I have yet to determine if Remington

manufactured molds or relied on a subcontractor for these appendages.

The bureau of ordnance orders for, and Remington’s deliveries of, navy revolvers are

recorded as follows:

188

CHAPTER SIX

189

REM

ING

TO

N N

AV

Y R

EVO

LVER

S P

UR

CH

ASED

BY T

HE U

.S. N

AV

YRemington Navy Revolvers Delivered to the Bureau of Ordnance, U.S. Navy, 1862–65

ORDERED SHIPPED DELIVERED TO TOTAL PRICE ($/revolver)

09/15/62 09/09/62 NAVY YARD, PORTSMOUTH, NH 120 12.00

10/04/62 10/08/62 FORTRESS MONROE, VA 50 12.00

11/04/62 11/07/62 FORTRESS MONROE, VA 100 12.00

11/06/62 11/10/62 ADM. D. D. PORTER, CAIRO, IL 200 12.00

11/12/62 11/15/62 NAVY YARD, BOSTON, MA, FOR MARE ISLAND, CA 50 12.00

11/29/62 12/02/62 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, FOR PENSACOLA, FL 50 12.00

12/27/62 12/31/62 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 121 12.00

12/27/62 12/31/62 FORTRESS MONROE, VA 100 12.00

01/12/63 01/16/63 NAVY YARD, BOSTON, MA 300 12.00

01/23/63 01/26/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 25 12.00

02/04/63 02/07/63 CAIRO, IL, “MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON” 200 12.00

02/23/63 03/04/63 NAVY YARD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 200 12.00

02/23/63 03/04/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 100 12.00

03/06/63 03/09/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 100 12.00

04/10/63 04/14/63 CAIRO, IL, “MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON” 100 12.00

04/23/63 04/27/63 N.S. BALTIMORE, MD, FOR YOUNG RIVER 20 12.00

05/01/63 05/05/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, FOR VERMONT 30 12.00

05/08/63 05/12/63 ST. LOUIS, MO, FOR GUNBOAT OZARK 14 12.00

06/09/63 06/12/63 CAIRO, IL, “MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON” 300 12.00

190

CH

APTER

SIX

aOrder of 10/18/1863 is in bureau’s “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment” but not confirmed by “letter order.” bOrder of 12/18/1863 is confirmed by “letter order” but

not in “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment.”

ORDERED SHIPPED DELIVERED TO TOTAL PRICE ($/revolver)

06/18/63 06/20/63 NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON CITY 100 12.00

07/22/63 07/24/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 200 12.00

08/04/63 08/06/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, ADMIRAL DAHLGREN 500 12.00

10/18/63a Unknown MOUND CITY, IL, “MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON” 400 12.00

10/29/63 11/02/63 NAVAL ACADEMY, NEWPORT, RI 30 12.00

11/06/63 11/07/63 NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON CITY 200 12.00

11/21/63 11/25/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 500 12.00

11/27/63 11/30/63 NAVY YARD, PHILADELPHIA, PA 200 12.00

12/11/63 12/17/63 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 500 12.00

12/18/63b 12/22/63 MOUND CITY, IL, “MISSISSIPPI SQUADRON” 400 12.00

06/09/64 06/30/64 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK 500 12.00

07/15/64 08/09/64 NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON CITY 200 12.00

12/15/64 01/06/65 NAVY YARD, NEW YORK, FOR MOUND CITY, IL 250 15.00

01/10/65 01/20/65 NAVY YARD, WASHINGTON CITY 200 15.00

TOTAL 6,360

CHAPTER SEVEN

Remington’s Civil War

Rifle and Carbine

Contracts

The primary focus of this volume is devoted to a study of Remington’s Army and Navy

Revolvers. A complete understanding of the activities at Remington’s armories during the

Civil War cannot be grasped without examining their contracts and deliveries of rifles, muskets,

and carbines to the Ordnance Department. This brief chapter will cover those events.

HARPERS FERRY RIFLES

In July 1861, a Remington representative traveled to Washington for a personal interview with the

chief of ordnance, Brig. Gen. James W. Ripley. His goal was to secure orders for small arms; he accom-

plished this by obtaining an order for five thousand army revolvers on July 29, which he accepted that

day. The following day, Ripley tendered the company an order for Harpers Ferry Rifles:

Gentlemen,

You will please make for this department, and deliver with all possible dispatch, ten thou-

sand rifles with sword bayonets, and appendages complete. These rifles are to be .58 inch

calibre, and to have a three leaf rear sight, and a cupped ramrod, with sword bayonet

stud similar to those of the Harpers Ferry rifle model of 1855, in other respects of the pat-

tern of the rifles without bayonets heretofore made by you for this department.

Please send a sample rifle to this office as soon as possible for examination, and to

serve as a guide in the inspection of the 10,000 to be delivered by you.

These rifles are to be subject to the regular inspection, and to be paid for on certifi-

cates of inspection and receipt, at twenty dollars each, appendages and sword bayonets

included. Please signify your acceptance or non-acceptance of this order, and in case of

acceptance lose no time in preparing and delivering the arms.1

Ripley made reference to the type of rifle “heretofore made by you for this department.” These

were the Harpers Ferry pattern Model 1841 Rifles, now more commonly known as “Mississippi

Rifles” (figure 94).

191

On August 6, Remington responded:

Sir:

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of 30th ultimo, and

to say that we accept the order contained therein for ten thousand rifles, model of 1855,

with sword bayonets and appendages complete.2

Although Remington had navy revolvers in limited production and also had facilities for

making barrels, they had not produced any complete contract rifles for several years. Their pre-

vious contracts for long arms had been filled at a leisurely peacetime pace; the urgent demands

of wartime deliveries required new buildings, machinery, and qualified mechanics. There is evi-

dence that Remington started expanding their facilities in Ilion early on, but they had made no

deliveries on this order before the Owen-Holt Commission began investigating arms contracts

and orders in March 1862. This order was sustained by the commission, although the price was

reduced from twenty to seventeen dollars, and a contract replaced the original order.

After Remington had received assurances of contracts for arms from the commission, they

made proposals for furnishing these arms to the department on May 12. On May 19, after reflec-

tion, they expressed further thoughts on the subject to Ripley:

Sir,

In view of the acceptance of our proposition of the 12th inst. for the manufactory of small

arms for the U.S. Government—we would respectfully call your attention to the following

remarks: In our proposition we proposed to manufacture either the “Harpers Ferry” Rifle

or the Springfield Rifled Musket, or both. It would doubtless be for our interest to confine

ourselves to one arm, and that the “Harpers Ferry” as we are more engaged upon that and

desire to do so in case it is to be hereafter considered a standard arm—But in view of it

being supplanted or abandoned—We would prefer to take the “Springfield Arm.”

We are unsure in taking this in connection with the Harpers Ferry which we are sure

upon an additional outlay of capital would be required for tools etc. We would prefer

however not to incur this additional expense unless a large number of the latter arms

could be assured us rather than continue on an arm soon to be abandoned. We would

therefore request in consideration of the limited number of the Harpers Ferry Rifle and

192

CHAPTER SEVEN

Figure 94Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle. (Courtesy: Greg Martin Auctions)

the large expense incurred in preparing for the manufacturing of the same and the further

considerations of the reduction we make under our proposition on arms, that it may be

found consistent with the interest of the service, in addition to such numbers of the

Springfield Rifled Musket as may be awarded us, to increase that of the Harpers Ferry to

fifteen or twenty thousand.3

The commission sent the following report to Secretary of War Stanton on May 26:

Sir:

The commission have examined in part the proposals for furnishing small arms, and

respectfully recommend that they be returned to the chief of ordnance, to be carried out

by that department in conformity with the law and the regulations.

The commission have already expressed their recommendation in favor of executing

the contract for 40,000 Springfield muskets with Messrs. Remington & Son, of Ilion, New

York, at $16. each, and with the same firm for 20,000 revolvers, at $12. each, and have

also confirmed to this firm, in accordance with their proposition to the commission,

(based upon the award to them of the above named numbers and arms at the prices

named,) the orders previously given for 10,000 Harper’s Ferry rifles, at $17. each, and

5,000 army revolvers, at $12. each, being a reduction of $3. each upon each rifle and pistol

from the price named in the original orders. They hope that these contracts will be at once

ordered to be executed by the Secretary of War, as they look upon it as highly important

to thus establish the above reasonable prices as a standard for future guidance.

The commission have also recommended the award of 10,000 Springfield muskets,

at $17., to J. D. Pitts, of Trenton, New Jersey, as the quantity, time of deliver, and price,

combined, make it an advantageous proposal for the government.

They also recommend the award to the Colt’s Arms Manufacturing Company of

15,000 army revolvers, at $14.50, (as the chief of ordnance reports the immediate need of

revolvers,) promised earlier by these parties than by others, and as the price to be paid

shows a reduction of $10.50 upon that heretofore paid this company for like arms. The

commission would also add now to their former recommendation to meet the immediate

wants of the ordnance department the acceptance of the proposal, made under the recent

advertisement, by Eli Whitney & Co., of New Haven, to furnish 6,000 navy revolvers, at

the price of $10., a reduction upon his proposed price which he now offers to accept.

Although the commission consider that they should not make any further recommen-

dation as to the numbers or kinds of revolvers or small arms to be now contracted for, it is

proper that they should state that their investigations have shown satisfactorily that the

prices paid heretofore for such arms have been unnecessarily high, as well for securing

suitable and effective arms for troops as for a fair remuneration to the manufacturer.

No one pattern of patent arms has been proved the best, and, as many of them are, as

far as known, equally effective, the simplest and cheapest of such arms are the best for

the service. The government can establish the grade of work and price when selecting the

pattern, and judge very accurately of the true cost to be incurred and the proper price to

193

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

be paid for it. Excessive charges for special patents, and the erection of large factories to

make experimental arms ought to be discouraged, and the purchase of more than a mod-

erate number, say 1,000 at most, ought not to be made until after satisfactory trial by

troops in the field.

The commission respectfully urge, therefore, increased restrictions upon the multipli-

cation of patterns of arms for use in the service:

1. That the sample arm shall be tried, by competent officers, in comparison with the

best in use; that it shall be proved superior in essential qualities, or in probable cheapness

of manufacture, to such.

2. That after a sample has been approved, as above, 1,000 be ordered for trial by troops,

and that no larger numbers be ordered until satisfactory trial has been made by them.

3. That general orders be given requiring all captains of companies to report quarterly

to the chief of ordnance the kind of arms in use by his company; his opinion of the suit-

ableness of the arm and the general extent of service, and the number requiring repairs

since last report. Such reports, if regularly and carefully made, would best check the

purchase of unsuitable arms, and soonest show the best and strongest for service.

J. Holt, Commissioner4

The commission’s decisions remained intact, and Remington accepted the contracts as proposed.

After the department began receiving reports from ordnance inspectors assigned to accept

Springfield pattern muskets from private contractors, Ripley became aware of the difficulties

these contractors were having in supplying the same quality arms as those turned out at govern-

ment armories. On August 8, Ripley conveyed his views on this subject to Stanton:

Sir:

In the cases of the contractors for furnishing rifle muskets of the Springfield pattern,

it is found impossible, as I always supposed it would turn out to be, to hold the

Contractors to the literal, strict fulfillment of all the conditions of their contracts.

But under the present necessities for arms, and as the contractors have incurred large

expenses for their preparation for their manufacture, I am disposed to be liberal to

them, in not exacting so tight and close an inspection, as is required at the U. States

Armory, and would be everywhere under other circumstances. I do not think that

the present urgent need of arms will justify the usual minute and detailed inspection

and gauging of every part, and the rejection for blemishes not impairing any

serviceable quality. The main point and one to be desired is to secure arms of the

prescribed calibre, of good strong barrel, stocks and locks, and in all respects

serviceable, as military weapons.

If it be found, on inspection, that the arms come up to full standard required by the

contract, then the full price is to be paid; such as do not come up fully to that standard,

but may be received as serviceable arms, to be classified according to their value. I propose

to leave the matter of inspection, reception and classification, as before stated, to the

judgement of the Inspector for decision in each case.

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195

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

If the foregoing meets with your approval, I propose to furnish a copy of it to the

Inspector for his information and government.5

Stanton approved Ripley’s suggestion, and this practice was adhered to throughout the Civil

War. Remington’s Harpers Ferry Rifles and Springfield pattern muskets were divided into

classes, with the purchase price dependant upon the respective classification.

The contract for ten thousand Harpers Ferry Rifles was not signed by Ripley until August 11,

1862. Remington made the first delivery of these arms on April 18, 1863, twenty-one months after

the original order of July 30, 1861, and eight months after the contract had been signed.

The company delivered approximately eleven hundred rifles per month between April and

December of 1863. The majority of each month’s deliveries were accepted as “first class” and

brought $17.00 per rifle, but to fill each lot of one thousand, the inspectors accepted some “sec-

ond-class” rifles for which Remington received $16.90.

The department granted Remington two extensions on this contract. The company had

delivered seventy-five hundred rifles before December 1, 1863, the expiration date, when they

sought a third extension. The department denied this, issuing instead a second contract for the

deficit rifles. On December 9, Ramsey sent the following telegram to Hagner:

The Secretary of War directs in the case of the Remington H.F. Rifle that a new contract

be made for those arms to be fulfilled in five (5) weeks from end of original contract, the

inspection to be continued in the same time, but no more arms to be received under the

contract just expired.6

The parties signed the new contract on December 13, and Remington made the final deliver-

ies of the ten thousand rifles on January 8, 1864. I have noted some confusion concerning the total

number of rifles delivered. Several researchers have erred in concluding that all ten thousand

rifles were delivered on the original contract and that the new contract for twenty-five hundred

rifles was in addition to the ten thousand. Careful research has shown that this was not the case.

Remington’s Harpers Ferry Rifles are unique and do not conform to any known Harpers

Ferry or other government pattern rifle (figure 95). Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American

Firearms describes them as “Remington 1863 Percussion Contract Rifles, a.k.a., Zouave Rifles.”7

Figure 95Harpers Ferry Rifle. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

He notes that the origin of the Zouave name has not been determined. Flayderman also made

the common error of quoting a total production of 12,501 rifles. Individual deliveries under the

two contracts are presented at the end of this chapter.

SPRINGFIELD PATTERN MUSKETS

The department and Remington signed the original contract for Springfield pattern arms on

August 20, 1862, but the company defaulted. The combined production of revolvers, rifles, and,

quite possibly, barrels for other arms contractors was taxing the Remington armories to their

limit. In December 1863, as Remington was nearing the end of their contract for the Harpers

Ferry Rifles, they sought another contract for Springfield muskets. Inflation had already made

them aware that they would not be able to produce the arms at the original contract price of six-

teen dollars per arm. When they solicited the new contract, they requested eighteen dollars each.

The War Department accepted these terms, and the parties signed a one-year contract for forty

thousand Springfield muskets on December 14, 1863.

Among their other difficulties, Remington’s raw material suppliers were furnishing the company

with inferior iron; during inspection, this led to a large number of barrel rejections. Remington

advised the department of these problems, to which Ramsey responded on March 12, 1864:

Gentlemen,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. and to request that you

will please send by express to Major A. B. Dyer, Commdt., Springfield Armory, two bar-

rels such as have been passed by the Inspectors, two of the best of those rejected, two of the

worst of those rejected, all to be made of the proper Herrit iron. Major D. will be

requested to report on these barrels and the result of which you will be advised.8

Dyer sent the report to Ramsey on April 1:

Sir:

The six gun barrels referred to in your letter of the 12th inst. have been received from

E. Remington & Sons, and in compliance with your instructions I have had them

carefully inspected and compared with similar grades made at their Armory of Cooper &

Herrits iron.

Of the first lot, which has passed inspection at Messrs. Remington & Sons, one

barrel passed the Armory inspection as first class and the other as second class, being

somewhat slaggy.

Both barrels of the second lot, which had been set apart at Remington’s for Col.

Thornton’s examination are slaggy, but they would have passed here as second class

barrels, and put into the muskets.

The third lot, which would have been condemned by the Sub inspectors at

Remington’s, would have been condemned here.

The interior of all the barrels appeared to be good.

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CHAPTER SEVEN

The material only was inspected.

It may be proper for me to state here that in consequence of the deterioration in

the quality of the Trenton gun barrel iron, I some time since directed Messrs. Cooper &

Herrit & Co. to suspend their deliveries, and during the last month I have received only

a few samples from them for experimental purposes.

They are confidant of being able to reproduce gun barrel iron of the best quality,

and the last sample received from them shows marked improvement.

I had the dirtiest of the two barrels which had been condemned at Remington’s

proved to extremity.

It endured five rounds of 280 grs. of powder and 2 balls weighing 500 grains each,

it burst at the ninth round of the second series, and no fragments were thrown off.

The fractures were not through the slaggy parts of the barrel.9

Remington was not yet delivering Springfield muskets (figure 96); I suspect that the barrels

tested were being prepared for these arms. Remington began deliveries of muskets in May and

provided one thousand per month through October, when they increased production to two

thousand per month.

In December 1864, Remington sought an extension of the Springfield musket contract, as

they had furnished only nine thousand. The War Department granted them a one-year exten-

sion, but Remington would request further extensions before the contract was finally completed

in March 1866.

When the Civil War ended in April 1865, Remington had delivered only seventeen thousand

Springfield muskets. Although the Ordnance Department had little need for additional arms,

they honored their agreement with Remington to extend their delivery time and continued to

accept all that were offered. Remington was more fortunate than some contractors, many of

whom had their contracts canceled after they fell behind in specified deliveries.

In late October 1865, Remington again approached Dyer, requesting extensions on both their

musket and carbine contracts. On November 2, Dyer notified Remington: “I have to inform you

that the Secretary of War has authorized an extension of 60 days on your contract for the deliv-

ery of muskets.”10 On the following day, Remington proposed that the musket contract be

extended for more than two months. They had delivered thirty-three thousand of these arms;

seven thousand were still due on the original contract. After a brief delay, the secretary approved

this request, and the department notified Remington on November 21:

197

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

Figure 96Springfield pattern musket. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Sirs.

I have to inform you, that on your application of the 3rd instant, I recommended to

the Secretary of War, that such reasonable extension, as may be considered necessary

by the Inspector of Arms, to enable you to deliver the muskets contracted for, be granted;

and that this recommendation has been approved.

Bvt. Brig. General Thornton has been notified accordingly.11

It appears that Thornton had been brevetted to the rank of brigadier general between the

second and twenty-first of November. To my knowledge, this was the first occasion in which

there were two generals on active service in the Ordnance Department.

In early November 1865, Dyer also made another report to the secretary of war, protesting

proposed cuts in Ordnance Department personnel. I am in possession of only the final page of

this document, but it contains information that sheds light on the structure of the department

at the conclusion of the Civil War:

[first page missing]

Several of the Southern arsenals have been reoccupied, and it is intended to

reoccupy them all, except that at Fayetteville, N.C. which has been destroyed.

The necessary measures have been taken for preserving the powder mill at

Augusta and the laboratory and unfinished armory at Macon, Georgia, which

have been captured.

The number of permanent U.S. arsenals and armories is twenty eight; the

command and provision of these, together with the inspection services required for

the arsenals, the foundries, the powder mills, and other private establishments

engaged in work for the government, furnish constant employment for the whole

number of Ordnance officers, (sixty four) now authorized by law. The proper dis-

charge of these essential duties requires that number shall be continued as part of

the military peace establishment of the country.

The armies in the field have been amply and well supplied with arms and other

stores, and the fortifications have had their armaments kept in order, and strength-

ened and increased, by the addition of heavy caliber guns and great efficiency.12

Remington had delivered thirty-seven thousand Springfield muskets by the end of 1865, but

for some unknown reason they were having difficulties in procuring iron for fabricating barrels.

In early December, they sought to purchase barrel iron from the Ordnance Department. Dyer

had reservations about making this sale and so notified Remington on the eighth of December:

Sirs.

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 6th inst., in which you desire to purchase from

Springfield Armory, iron for 1,500 musket barrels.

There are very grave objections to selling materials which have been purchased by the

Government, except in the usual ways, by public auction after advertisement, and I would

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199

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

prefer not to make this sale, but instead of that, to accept the parts of the 1,500 or 2,000

muskets without barrels, to close the contract.13

Remington apparently located the requisite iron and made the final delivery of one thousand

muskets on March 24, 1866.

Either Remington had difficulties in furnishing bayonets for the last few thousand of these

arms or an agreement was made with the department that the bayonets would be furnished by

the Springfield Armory. On February 24, 1866, Thornton sent the following letter to the com-

mander at Springfield.

Office of the Inspector of Contract Arms

Colonel,

I am informed by Messrs. E. Remington & Sons that they will require 487 more Bayonets

for their muskets, and I have to request that you will forward that number to their

Armory in Ilion, New York as soon as possible.

W. A. Thornton.14

Ordnance Department ledger “Purchases of Small Arms” notes that $8,974 was deducted

from payments for “bayonets furnished by the U.S.”15 These entries start on the fourteenth of

December 1865 and continue for the remainder of the contract. I have not ascertained the

unit price for these appendages and, therefore, have no way of determining the number of

deficit bayonets.

Prior to November 30, 1864, the department paid Remington for five grades of muskets,

with prices varying from sixteen to eighteen dollars each. On that day, the department

changed the procedure and accepted subsequent deliveries at the rate of eighteen dollars for

first-class and fifteen dollars for second-class arms. A reexamination of the events leading to

the department furnishing bayonets and the change in the method of rating muskets for pay-

ment suggests these were part of the conditions established when the two contract extensions

were granted. I present the department’s records for the delivery of all forty thousand mus-

kets at the end of this chapter.

REMINGTON-RIDER SPLIT-BREECH CARBINES

The Ordnance Department’s increasing interest in breech-loading carbines was not lost on

Remington. Joseph Rider (figure 97), one of Remington’s designers and inventors, began

developing a single-shot breech-loading action in 1863 and was issued patent number 40,887

on December 8 (figure 98). The patent papers depict the action on a small pistol similar to

the Vest Pocket models introduced by Remington in 1866. Remington immediately recog-

nized the benefit of utilizing Rider’s action in a carbine of their own make. In early March

1864, they presented a working model of their split-breech carbine to the Ordnance

Department. Ramsey forwarded the arm to the Washington Arsenal for testing, and Capt. J. G.

Benton soon submitted an evaluation:

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Figure 97Joseph Rider. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Figure 98Joseph Rider’s patent, number40,887. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

201

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

EXPERIMENTS ON SMALL ARMS, (CLASS 6.)

Report on Remington Breech Loading Carbine Cal. .44 made by Lt. G. W. McKee at

Washington Arsenal: 1864.

Received at Ordnance Office. March 9, 1864

Washington Arsenal

March 9th, 1864

Capt J. G. Benton,

Ordnance Department Commanding

Sir:

In accordance with your instructions I have made a trial of the Remington Breech

Loading carbine Cal. .44 and I have the honor to submit the following report of the

results obtained.

Description of arms

This carbine is composed of forty two parts, twenty four of which are screws made

to replace each other. The remaining pieces consist of the Hammer, Breech piece, Main

spring and swivel, Trigger and spring, Breech frame and upper tang, Trigger guard and

strap, (one piece) Barrel Key to lock barrel and frame together, the front sight, the rear

sight (two pieces), stock separates into two pieces when barrel is detached. Twist is

increasing six feet instead of two feet terminal. Five grooves, weight 5 1/2 lbs. Length of

barrel 22 inches. When breech piece is pulled back to insert the cartridge, the hammer

goes with it and cannot possibly fall in this position should the trigger be accidently

touched. Neither can it fall at any point between this position and the base of the

cartridge (now inserted) by virtue of the attachment of the lower part of the hammer

and the breech piece. So soon as the breech piece is firmly against the breech, the

hammer is free to obey the trigger. The breech piece in this position is held against

the breech. The different pieces of the lock when assembled constitute a very ingenious

and simple piece of mechanism.

Before being brought to trial at this Arsenal, the carbine had been fired 350 rounds

service and two proof charges 110 grains and 2 balls each.

The trial was made by Mr. J. G. Dudley, Master Armorer and myself. I first tried the

piece for accuracy at 500 yards with tolerable results, which however will be exactly shown

in the target records accompanying this report. Twenty shots were fired at this distance.

Twenty shots were also fired at 300 Yds. distance with very good results shown in target

record. The cartridge used was metallic, and on weighing the powder I found it very vari-

able, and the average weight of three charges was 23 1/2 grains, weight of ball 208 grains.

After firing 200 rounds for endurance I found the piece capable of being very easily

loaded, and in fact I could not detect that the breech piece worked any harder than at first.

The piece was then fired three rounds for penetration and the average obtained was

5 1/2 inch with boards. Mr. Dudley and myself are both of the opinion that this carbine

might be used with advantage by the troops in our service.

Respectfully Submitted

Geo. W. McKee, 1st Lt. Ord.

The statements in the foregoing report are approved and respectfully forwarded to the

Chief of Ordnance. The lock and breechloading apparatus of this gun are made up of the

following named pieces viz: 1. Hammer, 2. Breechpiece, 3. Mainspring and swivel, 4.

Trigger and spring, 5. Breech frame in which the foregoing parts work.

The combination and arrangement of these parts are such as to render the arm

strong, easily kept clean & little able to get out of order in the hands of the soldier. I have

no hesitation in recommending it for future trial in the service.

J. G. Benton, Capt. Ord., Comdg.16

This report impressed Ramsey. He immediately sought and received approval from Stanton

to award Remington a contract for their new arms (figure 99). Fifteen days later, on March 24,

the department signed a contract for one thousand .44 caliber carbines “for trial in the field.”

The contract specified delivery in six months. The small order followed the Owen-Holt

Commission recommendations cited earlier. Remington’s work in progress precluded their

involvement in the actual manufacture of these arms. They subsequently granted a license to

Samuel Norris to manufacture them, with Norris paying Remington three dollars for each car-

bine produced. Norris made arrangements with the Savage Revolving Arms Company of

Middletown, Connecticut, to do the actual manufacture.

On July 31, the department received another report on Remington’s new carbine, this one

originating at the Springfield Armory:

REPORTS ON SMALL ARMS, (CLASS 6.)

Final Report on Remington Breech Loading Carbine made by Major A. B. Dyer at

Springfield Armory:

Received at Ordnance Office June 31, 1864

Springfield Armory

June 21, 1864

Major A. B. Dyer, Commanding

Sir,

I have the honor to submit the following report of experiments with Remington’s Breech

Loading Carbine.

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Figure 99Small frame Remington Split-Breech Carbine. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

203

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

Up to the date of June 22, one thousand and fifty six (1056) rounds were fired

with charges varying from twenty five (25) grs. of powder and two hundred and

twenty five (225) grs. ball to forty (40) grs. powder and four hundred and fifty

(450) grs. ball.

After firing twenty five (25) rounds with the latter charge the pivot screw on which

the breech piece works, broke at commencement of screw thread.

The gun was then sent to the shop and a straight pin with a washer on the outside

substituted for the screw before used, after which six hundred and twenty six rounds were

fired with charges varying from forty (40) grs powder and four hundred grs. of lead to

fifty five grs. powder and four hundred fifty grs. lead.

Five rounds were also fired 1st with 55 grs. powder and 750 grs. ball

2nd with 55 grs. powder and 1050 grs. ball

3rd with 55 grs. powder and 1050 grs. ball

4th with 55 grs. powder and 1500 grs. ball

5th with 55 grs. powder and 1850 grs. ball

No damages were sustained.

During the firing water was poured into the lock, soft mud thrown on, and the

carbine allowed to stand sixteen (16) hours in this condition, after jarring the mud

from the outside, no difficulties were experienced in firing fifteen (15) rounds in a single

minute. This was not done by anyone especially skilled in the use of the weapon.

One hundred (100) more rounds were fired with great rapidity and some dust or

rather fine sand was then thrown in the lock while at full cock.

It was found necessary to scrape enough of the dirt out of the breech piece which was

done with very little trouble, and the gun then worked as well as ever, notwithstanding

that it had not been cleaned since firing was commenced.

The arrangement of this carbine is simple and compact, the pieces are few and appear

to be sufficiently strong. It can be fired with great rapidity and would seem to be well

fitted for service.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant

W. S. Smoot, Lt. 1st Md. Vols.

Brig. Genl. G. D. Ramsey U.S.A.

Chief of Ordnance, Washington, D.C.

Sir:

I have witnessed some of the firing and have examined Mr. Remington’s Carbine

carefully. I fully concur in the opinion expressed by Lt. Smoot.

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant

A. B. Dyer, Major Ord. Comdg17

Lt. William S. Smoot, who made this report, would resign from the army in 1870 and accept

employment with Remington. He later secured patents that were used on Remington’s rifles and

revolvers and would eventually become superintendent of the Ilion Armory.

Remington, noting that the military were deeply impressed with the carbine, lost no time

soliciting a larger contract. Ramsey relayed their request to the secretary of war on July 14:

Hon. E. M. Stanton

Secretary of War

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the proposal made to you by Messrs. Remington & Sons

to furnish 50,000 of their metallic cartridge Carbines.

On this subject I have to report that in the month of March last, on the

recommendation of this Department, and by your authority, 1,000 of their Carbines

and appendages were ordered at the price of $18. each, for trial in actual service.

The Carbines to be furnished under this contract, which expires on the 31st August,

next, are now in process of manufacture.

Recently an improved Carbine of Remington & Sons has been under trial at

Springfield Armory—and after firing it extensively and subjecting it to other tests,

Major Dyer concludes his report by stating that the arm is “seemingly well fitted for

service.” Based on this report, the parties now propose to furnish the Government with

50,000 of the improved Carbines—the price to be determined by assuming $18. as the

value of the arm when gold was at a premium of 60 percent, and adding thereto the

difference between that price and the value of gold at the respective days of delivery—

or the parties will accept any other terms predicated on values current in March last,

when the Carbine was offered and accepted at $18. Thus the cost of the arm would

fluctuate with the value of gold. As no estimates for funds are based on any such

principle, I am not prepared to recommend the acceptance of any such uncertain

terms, more particularly so, as all contracts for small arms are specific as to cost.

The proposition is for 50,000 arms, the deliveries to commence with 1000 in

September next, and to continue until completion in June 1865. At present we have

contracted for 140,000 Carbines. Although I think favorably of the Carbine offered, as a

breech loading arm, I can only repeat what I have before officially reported. Viz:—that

the repeating Carbine of Spencer, meets with great favor in the Army and is, to a great

extent, the only arm now asked for, and to enable us to increase the supply, you have

awarded a contract for 30,000 to the Burnside Arms Company.

Under the circumstances, I cannot commit the Department to such an extant as

50,000 for any arm not having the approved stamp of service—or would I enter into so

large a contract for the prospective period which the proposal would involve, and which

from our experience would, in all likelihood, have to be extended or in part forfeited. At

present the Messrs. Remington are under contract for 24,000 Rifle Muskets and 10,400

pistols, and they are now asking for an extension on their pistol contract, under a for-

feiture of $29,500, under their rifle musket contract they have forfeited 14,000 muskets.

With such an amount of work in hand, it is hardly reasonable to suppose they could

deliver the 50,000 Carbines, if made in their own shops and under the usual restrictions,

within the time named. The proposal of Messrs. Remington is herewith returned.18

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CHAPTER SEVEN

Remington’s proposition was unusual, but the concerns that prompted these terms were suf-

ficiently real. Inflation was the culprit; prices nearly doubled between 1861 and 1864. Remington

was trying to ensure that any new contracts would not leave them in a difficult financial situa-

tion. The secretary of war rejected their proposal.

Savage had difficulties putting the carbines into production, prompting Remington to

request an extension on the contract. Ramsey replied on the twenty-fifth of August:

Gentlemen,

Yours of the 15th inst. asking that an extension may be given you on your contract of

Mar. 24, 1864 for 1,000 Remington Carbines so that the contract should expire on the

31st December is received, and in reply I have to say that the extension asked for is

granted. The Inspector of Contract Arms has been notified to that effect.19

On September 12, Smoot forwarded another report from Springfield to the department:

Twenty-eighth Report on Breech loading Carbines

Sir:

During the past week two hundred and fifty six (256) rounds were fired from Remington’s

Breech Loading Muskets and sixty (60) rounds from Breech Loading Carbines.

The Musket has been subjected to quite a severe test but thus far has stood well,—

a special report will be forwarded as soon as the experiments shall be complete.20

Smoot had addressed the report to Ramsey, having no way of knowing that he had retired.

On this same day, Maj. Alexander B. Dyer, commandant of the Springfield Armory, was pro-

moted to brevet brigadier general and took command of the department (figure 100).

The split-breech muskets mentioned in Smoot’s report were prototypes; no contracts had

been issued for these. Beyond the specimens submitted to the department, none were manufac-

tured, and any surviving specimens would be quite rare.

Dyer’s succession to chief of the Ordnance Department was fortuitous for Remington. He

had been personally involved in many of the tests performed on their carbines at Springfield and

had developed a very high opinion of the arm. When Remington again sought a larger contract

for carbines, his recommendation to the secretary of war on September 23 immediately secured

a contract for fifteen thousand. On the same day, he notified Remington:

Sirs:

I have to inform you that the Secretary of War has approved the recommendation of this

office to give you a contract for 20,000 revolvers at $15.50 each; and for 15,000 of your

breech loading carbines at $23. each; contracts for which will be prepared and forwarded

to you without delay.21

Shortly after being advised of the new contracts, Remington inquired as to the size of the

chamber of the new carbines. Dyer responded by telegraph on September 26:

205

REMINGTON’S CIVIL WAR RIFLE AND CARBINE CONTRACTS

Telegram

Gentlemen

Telegram received. Chamber of new Carbine to be fifty-two hundredths of an inch.22

The chamber size specified would later be changed. The fifteen thousand carbines of the latter

contract were to be larger overall than those of the first contract to better withstand the pres-

sures created by the larger cartridge.

On the tenth of October, Smoot made another report to the department:

Thirty-second Report on Breech loading Carbines

Sir:

During the past week two hundred and eighty five (285) rounds have been fired. Two hun-

dred and twenty (220) from the Remington Musket and sixty five (65) from Ballard Carbine.

The cartridges, one hundred (100) in number fired from the Remington Musket on

the 5th October all burst, probably owing to their being made of improper metal, but the

gun has worked well throughout. A table of firing is annexed.23

Reports such as this exemplify the difficulties the Ordnance Department was having with

the manufacture of cartridges. Experimentation continued at Frankford Arsenal on various

compositions of case alloys and also on different types of primers. It was not until the early 1870s

that most of the objections were overcome.

Although Dyer had advised Remington that new contracts were being prepared, he did not

forward them for acceptance until the thirteenth of October:

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Figure 100Gen. Alexander B. Dyer, chief of ordnance.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Gentlemen,

I transmit copies in quintuplicate of two contracts as follows: One for 20,000 Revolvers

and one for 15,000 Carbines, which you will please execute and return.24

Remington signed the contracts on the twenty-fourth and returned them to Dyer on the fol-

lowing day:

Sir,

We have the honor to return herewith quintuplicate copies of contracts for 15,000

Remington Carbines and 20,000 Army Revolvers, duly executed.25

Dyer did not submit the contracts to the War Department for approval until the second

of November:

Hon. E. M. Stanton

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit for approval the following contracts.

Norwich Arms Co. 15,000 Rifle Muskets

Edward Robinson 7,000 Rifle Muskets

Mr. G. D. Mann 20,000 Sets Cavalry Accts.

Moores & Co. 6,000 Sets Horse Equip’ts

E. Remington & Sons 15,000 Remington Carbines

E. Remington & Sons 20,000 Revolvers26

The contracts were not approved until November, but arms historians recognize the date on

both the revolver and carbine contracts as October 24, the date of Remington’s signature.

On November 11, Dyer advised Remington of changes to be incorporated into the

new carbines:

Gentlemen,

Recent trials at Springfield have shown that the calibre of the carbine diameter of bore

may be fixed at fifty hundredths of an inch instead of forty four hundredths. I have to

request that the carbines which you are to furnish this Department upon existing con-

tracts, may be bored to this calibre. The diameter of the chamber must be fifty six hun-

dredths of an inch.

A plug gauge giving the diameter of the base and a standard cartridge will be fur-

nished to you from the Springfield Armory as soon as they can be prepared.

The rifling will be as follows:

Number of grooves, three (3).

Depth of grooves, uniform and .0075.

Width of grooves, equal to land.

Twist, uniform and one turn to thirty two inches.27

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On November 15, the U.S. Patent Office issued Rider patent number 45,123 (figure 101). In

the patent drawings, he depicted the action in a rifle or carbine configuration and described the

improvement as a safety lock in which the breech piece locks both the hammer and trigger when

the action is open.

On the last day of December, the extension on Remington’s original contract for one thou-

sand carbines expired. Savage had made no deliveries and was still some months away from

actual production. The department awarded a new contract for five thousand .44 caliber car-

bines on January 19, 1865. Remington’s name was not on the new contract; it was signed by

Samuel Norris, who had been licensed to manufacture these arms by Remington.

On January 12, 1865, Col. William Maynadier, Dyer’s assistant, made the following request

of Remington:

Gentlemen,

I have to request that you will make and forward to this office as soon as practicable a

complete list of the component parts of the Remington Carbine and Revolver with the rel-

ative value of each. The price of each part should be adjusted [so] that their total

amounts will equal the price paid for the complete arms under your last contract.28

Remington had some difficulty in getting Savage to furnish this information and did not

forward the parts list of their breech-loading carbine until the first of March:

Sir,

We beg leave to hand you herewith, a list of the component parts of our breechloading

Carbine, and prices therefore, which we were unable to send with the list of parts for

Harpers Ferry Rifle and the Revolvers, transmitted some days since.

Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servants

E. Remington & Sons

Mar. 1, 1865

Price of Component Parts of Remington’s Patent Carbine

1. Barrel and Front Sight 6.50

2. Receiver 4.20

3. Breech Piece .04

4. Hammer 1.04

5. Stock Butt .80

6. Stock Tip .60

7. Butt Plate .50

8. Butt Plate Screws (2) 4 cents ea. .08

9. Hammer Pin .05

10. Breech Piece Pin .05

11. Screws for Pins (2) 4 cents ea. .08

12. Guard (Complete) 1.24

13. Tang .36

14. Main Spring .50

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15. Main Spring Screw .04

16. Sear Spring .24

17. Sear Spring Screw .04

18. Swivel Bar and Ring (2) .22

19. Swivel Bar and Ring Screw .04

20. Stirrup .12

21. Stirrup Pin .03

22. Tang Screw .04

23. Side Screw (5) .18

24. Rear Sight .78

25. Rear Sight Screw .03

26. Rear Sight Pin .02

27. Escutcheon .04

28. Escutcheon Screw .04

29. Wood Screw .04

30. Trigger .24

31. Trigger Pin .02

32. Band .24

33. Band Spring .16

34. Appendages .40

$20.0029

Figure 101Joseph Rider’s patent, number 45,123.(Courtesy: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

Savage made their first delivery of the small frame .44 caliber Remington split-breech car-

bines on May 6 (figure 102). There seem to have been no difficulties in their manufacture or

acceptance; they were all delivered by the end of June.

On January 3, 1865, the patent office issued Rider patent number 45,797 for his Rolling Block

action, also depicted in a rifle or carbine configuration (figure 103). Five months later,

Remington advised Dyer that they were developing the new arm; Dyer responded on June 8:

Gentlemen,

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 6th inst., and to inform you, that Maj. Benton

has, this day, been instructed to return to you, your breechloading Carbine, which you

state to be at the Washington Arsenal. I shall be happy to examine the new arm, which

you state you are getting up, when it is ready for exhibition.30

This is the first mention of the Remington arm utilizing Rider’s new Rolling Block action.

On the twenty-third, Dyer again contacted Remington:

Gentlemen,

I have to call your attention to the fact, that the two model carbines, which you are

required to furnish, by your contract of Oct. 24th 1864, have not yet been received at this

office, and that it is necessary they should be received and approved, before any carbines

can be received under the contract.31

Remington had this contract in hand for eight months; however, Savage had not delivered

any arms. Three more months would pass before the first delivery of one thousand carbines on

September 30. When the inspectors began their examinations, they encountered problems with

bursting cartridges and scrutinized the strength of the metals used in the frame. Apprized of

these difficulties, Samuel Remington met with Thornton at the Savage works in Middletown,

Connecticut, to discuss them. Thornton made the following report to Dyer on October 15:

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Figure 102Small frame Remington Split-BreechCarbine. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

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General,

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your instructions of the 10th inst., at which

date I was by appointment with Mr. Remington at Middletown Conn., in completing the

trial of his carbines by firing ball cartridges of 60 grains of quick burning powder; and

respecting which, I have the honor to report as per statements herewith enclosed.

The failure of Mr. Remington’s Carbines is due in my opinion to the yielding of the

pin, either by springing, bending or breaking, and thereby allowing the breech piece to

give back. This is shown by the battering of the shoulders of the hammer by the breech

piece where it locks to resist the recoil, and by elongation of the pin hole in the breech

piece, which orifice in many of the arms by firing has been changed to an elliptical shape,

by the giving back of the breechpiece, the cartridge is not firmly supported in the chamber,

and it consequently bursts and damages the arm.

Mr. Remington is of the opinion, that the bursting of the cartridges and failure of his

carbines is solely attributable to poor or thin metal forming the copper shells and in sup-

port of this opinion he produced a barrel, to which he, at the Springfield Armory had a

solid breech adjusted, so that there could be no yielding or expansion of the shell base in

firing the charges as was the case in the trial of his carbines. The loading of the barrel was

accomplished by inserting a cartridge into its chamber and then by screwing the barrel by

hand, not by wrench into the nut or solid breech so that the base of the cartridge should

be in close contact & firmly sustained against the inner face of the breech; and then to

Figure 103Joseph Rider’s patent, number 45,797. (Courtesy: U.S.Patent and Trademark Office)

satisfy Mr. Remington, I had ten rounds of like cartridges fired from the barrel so charged,

with the following results. Viz: 3 shells remained uninjured, 7 shells burst, one of which

had the top entirely detached from its body.

This test was strongly against the strength of the copper, and would be conclusive of

its makeup; provided that the barrel is truly chambered, and that it can be completely

assembled to the breech, without clamping it on the breech in a vise, and using a wrench.

As these conditions were not established, I have not conceded that the bursting of the

shells is due to the thinness of the copper, but be that as it may, I think the carbines

should have withstood the proof, whether loaded with cartridge or loose powder, and

my opinion therefore, respecting the cause of the failure of Mr. Remington’s carbines

remains unchanged.

Mr. Remington then asserted that no small arm could withstand the actions of such

charges; and to satisfy myself that he was in error in such pronouncing, I took 100 car-

tridges and proceeded to Hartford Conn., to make a like trial of Sharps Carbines. Messrs.

Palmer and Lawrence without a moments hesitation granted the privilege, and to make

sure that no injury might be done to any person, I requested that the arms under trial

might be boxed, as in the trial of Mr. Remington’s Carbines. The boxing of Sharps Arms

was objected to by Mr. Lawrence; still a carbine was placed in position and fired, and

when reloaded, before I could prevent the action, Mr. Lawrence raised it to his shoulder

and fired the second shot, and so continued to fire the arm until he had expended ten

rounds. Mr. Toyton then took a second carbine and fired ten rounds from the shoulder,

which firing was so continued by alternating the arms, until 30 rounds were expended

from each. I then expressed a desire to test a Sharps Rifle with like cartridge, which was

unhesitatingly allowed, and 30 rounds were fired by Mr. Toyton and Lawrence from the

shoulder, in the trial of a rifle.

The results of said trial of Sharps arms are Viz:

2 Carbines taken without selection and fired 30 rounds each from the shoulder, with

copper shell ball cartridges of 60 grains of quick burning or “Berdan” powder.

50 Shells uninjured by firing, all of which were easily and readily ejected form the

barrel by the extractor.

10 Shells burst, none however with their tops detached from body. The dirt from the

explosion fouled and stiffened the action of the breech slide, but in all cases the lever

worked readily, and the shells were ejected by the extractor as if they were solid.

1 Rifle taken without selection, and proven as the carbines were with 30 rounds of like

ammunition. The chamber of this rifle was above size, which allowed the cartridge to

yield and burst, but not so badly, nor in so great proportions as in the Remington

Carbines and extra barrels.

18 Shells uninjured by firing, all of which were readily ejected from the barrels by

the extractor.

12 Shells burst, none however with the tops detached from the body, the dirt from the

explosion fouled and stiffened the action of the breech slide, but in all cases the lever

worked easily and the shells were ejected from the barrels as if solid, and uninjured.32

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Deliveries of the carbines from the Savage works continued, but Thornton’s later reports

reveal that the rejection rate remained high throughout production.

In late October, Remington requested an extension on their large frame carbine contract

(figure 104). On the first of the following month, Dyer sent the following endorsement to the

secretary of war:

Sir,

I have the honor to submit an application from E. Remington & Sons for an extension of

nine months time, to enable them to complete a contract made with this Department, on

the 24th Oct. 1864, for fifteen thousand “Remington” Carbines at $23. each, which contract

will expire on the first of December next, and upon which no extension has been given.

Twenty dollars, was considered a fair and remunerative price for this carbine, when

the contract was made with Messrs. Remington & Sons, but in consideration of the bene-

fits which it was supposed the Government had derived from their services, in reducing

the prices charged Government for arms, and in the losses they had sustained in faithfully

executing a contract with the Government for pistols, at a price that was not remunera-

tive, because of a great increase in the cost of material, and in the wages of workmen

beyond what could, reasonably, have been anticipated, when they engaged to furnish the

pistols; and in further consideration of the fact, that the Department was paying twenty

three dollars for carbines which were not regarded as superior to the Remington, this price

was allowed them. The carbine is one of the best that has been furnished, and if the

Department was in want of carbines, at this time, I should not hesitate to purchase them.

If you are of opinion that the extension asked for by Messrs. Remington & Sons is founded

by equity, it should be granted. No embarrassment to the Government would result from

a delay in the delivery of the carbines.

I believe that Remington & Sons have endeavored faithfully to execute this contract,

and that their failure to deliver according to the terms of contract, has not been caused by

any fault or neglect on their part, and I am also satisfied that they have correctly stated

the amount expended by them in the manufacture of these carbines. They will deliver

about five thousand carbines within the time fixed by the contract, for the delivery of the

whole number.

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Figure 104Large frame Remington Split-Breech Carbine. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

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This and a contract with the same party for muskets are the only contracts for arms

which are yet to be completed. During the War, it was the practice of this Department to

grant an extension of time on contracts for delivery of arms, or to make new contracts for

the delivery of those previously contracted for.

Since May 1861, the following contracts have been given Messrs. Remington &

Sons, Viz:

July 29, 1861, 5,000 Pistols at $12. each all delivered

June 13, 1862, 20,000 Pistols at $12. each all delivered

July 1, 1863, 7,000 Pistols inferior at $11. each all delivered

July 6, 1863, 20,000 Pistols at $12. each all delivered

Nov. 21, 1863, 64,900 Pistols at $12. each 57,000 delivered

Oct. 24, 1864, 20,000 Pistols at $15.50 each all delivered

130,900 122,700 delivered

Aug. 11, 1862, 10,000 Harpers Ferry Rifles at $17. each all delivered

July 30, 1862, 40,000 Muskets at $16. each

This contract was subsequently annulled, and a new one was made with them,

December 30, 1863 for muskets at $18. each. They have been granted an extension of time

on this last contract to enable them to deliver the whole number, and up to this time they

have delivered about 35,000.

Oct. 30, 1864, 15,000 Remington Carbines at $23. each of which

2,000 have been delivered.33

Once again, I have noted contradictions in Ordnance Department figures. It appears

that someone on Dyer’s staff furnished him with some erroneous information, and he for-

warded this information in his endorsement. I caution the reader to use only dates and

figures taken from the department’s ledgers, which I have reproduced in other sections of

this volume.

The following day, Dyer notified Remington that the extension had been approved:

Gentlemen,

I have to inform you that the Secretary of War has authorized an extension of 60 days on

your contract for the delivery of muskets, and that on your application of 27th ultimo, for

an extension of nine months time on your contract for 15,000 Remington Carbines, he has

decided as follows:

“In view of the reputable circumstances within stated, let the contract be extended for

the delivery of nine thousand for six months—the remaining six thousand to be delivered

by the time specified in the contract.”

Col. Thornton will be instructed accordingly.34

By the end of 1865, the department had transferred Smoot to the Washington Arsenal,

where he prepared and forwarded another report on Remington’s large frame split-breech

carbines to the department:

EXPERIMENTS ON SMALL ARMS, (CLASS 6)

Report on Remington Breech Loading Carbine made by. Bvt. Col. J. G. Benton at Ord.

Dept. Washington Arsenal.

December 21, 1865

Bvt. Col. J. G. Benton

Ordnance Department

Commanding

Sir:

I have the honor to submit the following report of experiments made with the Remington

Breech loading Carbines.

On the 29th of November ten of these guns caliber .50 were fired one hundred rounds

each with sixty (60) grains musket powder and four hundred grains lead. At the end of

thirty eight rounds, one gun marked “A” failed to explode the cartridges owing to the end

of the hammer frictioning against the breech piece through which it passes. This gun was

sent to the shop and the hammer dressed off after which it worked well.

Another gun marked “Q” was found to have the half cock notch broken on account of the

tumbler being tempered too high. This piece was therefore submitted to a more severe test.

On the first of December one hundred rounds were fired from each of the ten guns

with sixty grains rifle powder and four hundred grains lead, but without developing

anything further.

On the 2d of December one hundred rounds more with the same charge were fired

from each of the guns except those marked “A” and “Q.”

On the fifth the gun marked “Q” was fired as follows.

First round, with sixty grains powder and four hundred grains lead and with four

inches mud in the muzzle.

Second round, same charge but with ten inches of mud in the muzzle.

Third round, same charge and barrel full of mud.

On the sixth the same gun was fired with the same charge and ten inches of mud in

the muzzle. This mud had been put in there the day before and left to dry. No damage

was sustained beyond a slight enlargement of the barrel.35

On December 28, Thornton submitted another report on his inspection of the Remington

carbines that he was accepting from Savage. This report exemplified the high rejection rate of

the arms:

General,

I have the honor to report that in the proof trial of 50 Remington Carbines on the 10th of

October last, with sixty grains of quick burning powder, there were 29 Arms rendered

unserviceable by the following causes, Viz:

Barrels Extractor slots torn and elongated 29

Hammers Battered at shoulders 18

do Broken 8

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Breech Pieces Hammer pin hole elongated 20

do do Cracked at pin hole 10

do do Cracked in rear of breech 8

Breech piece Pins broken 10

do do Pins bent 2

Stock Butt Split 1

Stock Tip Split 13

Triggers Broken 3

Friction levers Broken 4

Side screws Bent 4

All the remaining components of the 29 carbines have been accepted and used in

obtaining like arms, and I therefore respectfully recommend in equity, that Mr.

Remington may be allowed the 29 Barrels, 26 Hammers, 38 Breech pieces, and other com-

ponents, the same as if the said parts had been obtained for repairs, and that the said

parts be expended accordingly.

Your Obt. Servant

W. A. Thornton, Bvt. Brig. Genl. U.S.A.36

Savage delivered six thousand of the carbines by the first of the year; however, deliveries

increased thereafter to approximately two thousand per month, with the final delivery on

May 24, 1866.

At this time the small frame split-breech carbine was designated as .44 caliber but is now rec-

ognized as .46 caliber. The large frame version was referred to as .50 caliber but is now known as

the 56–50 Spencer. Both cartridges were rim fire; center fire primers had not yet been developed.

It appears that very few of these carbines were ever issued to troops in the field. Ordnance

Department records reveal that the department sold 14,757 of the large frame carbines to the

Remington firm on October 12, 1870, while the Remingtons were acting as agents for the French

government during the Franco-Prussian War.37 These new carbines, for which the department

had paid twenty-three dollars, were reacquired for fifteen dollars each. Flayderman states that

thirty-six hundred of the small frame carbines were also purchased by Remington for the French

government in 1870.38 France eventually sent some of the large frame arms to French Indochina

where they were issued to native troops. Sometime during the middle of the last century, some

of these were returned to the United States by surplus arms dealers. They can be identified by

the presence of Vietnamese characters stamped into the butt stock.

This concludes the discussion of Remington’s Civil War contracts for long arms. The

Ordnance Department records for the delivery of the arms are reproduced as follows:

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Harpers Ferry Rifle Deliveries, August 11, 1862, ContractPURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Apr. 18 500 Harpers Ferry Rifles & Appendages $17 00 $8,500 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Jun. 8 1,000 Harpers Ferry Rifles & Appendages 17 00 17,000 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Jul. 11 904 H.F. Rifles 1 st class 17 00 15,368 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Jul. 11 96 H.F. Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 1,622 40 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Aug. 11 918 H.F. Rifles 1 st class 17 00 15,606 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Aug. 11 82 H.F. Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 1,385 80 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Sep. 7 945 H.F. Rifles 1 st class 17 00 16,065 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Sep. 7 55 H.F. Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 929 50 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Sep. 30 913 H.F. Rifles 1 st class 17 00 15,521 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Sep. 30 87 H.F. Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 1,470 30 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Oct. 23 947 H.F. Rifles 1 st class 17 00 16,006 00 Aug. 11, 1862a

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Oct. 23 53 H.F. Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 895 70 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Nov. 13 913 H.F. Rifles 1 st class 17 00 15,521 00 Aug. 11, 1862

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Nov. 13 87 H.F. Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 1,417 30 Aug. 11, 1862b

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”aEntry made for total amount paid is a clerical error. Correct amount is $16,099. bEntry made for total amount paid is a clerical error. Correct amount is $1,470.30.

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ENHarpers Ferry Rifle Deliveries, December 13, 1863, Contract

PURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Dec. 23 892 Harpers Ferry Rifles 1 st class $17 00 $15,164 00 Dec. 13, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1863 Dec. 23 108 Harpers Ferry Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 1,825 20 Dec. 13, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 6 906 Harpers Ferry Rifles 1 st class 17 00 15,402 00 Dec. 13, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 6 94 Harpers Ferry Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 1,588 60 Dec. 13, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 8 459 Harpers Ferry Rifles 1 st class 17 00 7,803 00 Dec. 13, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jan. 8 41 Harpers Ferry Rifles 2 nd class 16 90 692 90 Dec. 13, 1863

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”

Springfield Pattern Muskets Delivered on December 14, 1863, ContractPURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

E. Remington & Sons 1864 May 31 160 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class $18 00 $2,880 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 May 31 633 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 11,330 70 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 May 31 204 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 3,621 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 May 31 2 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 34 00 Dec. 14, 1863

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E. Remington & Sons 1864 May 31 1 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 16 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 25 4 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 72 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 25 224 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 4,009 60 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 25 268 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 4,757 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 25 475 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 8,075 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jun. 25 29 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 464 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 21 125 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 2,250 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 21 408 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 7,303 20 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 21 291 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 5,165 25 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 21 122 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 2,074 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Jul. 21 54 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 864 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 6 159 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 2,862 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 6 417 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 7,464 30 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 6 259 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 4,597 25 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 6 110 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 1,870 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 6 55 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 880 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 19 185 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 3,330 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 19 483 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 8,645 70 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 19 225 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 3,993 75 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 19 74 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 1,258 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Aug. 19 33 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 528 00 Dec. 14, 1863

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PURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 16 340 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 6,120 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 16 457 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 8,180 30 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 16 108 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 1,917 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 16 26 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 442 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Sep. 16 69 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 1,104 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 4 408 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 7,344 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 4 435 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 7,786 50 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 4 75 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 1,331 25 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 4 11 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 187 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 4 71 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 1,136 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 22 462 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 8,316 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 22 408 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 7,303 20 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 22 105 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 1,863 75 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 22 23 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 391 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Oct. 22 2 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 32 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 10 498 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 8,964 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 10 340 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 17 90 6,086 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 10 113 Springfield Rifle Musket 2 1/2 class 17 75 2,005 75 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 10 37 Springfield Rifle Musket 3rd class 17 00 629 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 10 12 Springfield Rifle Musket 4th class 16 00 192 00 Dec. 14, 1863

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E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 30 950 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 17,100 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Nov. 30 50 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 750 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 17 940 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 16,920 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 17 60 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 900 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1864 Dec. 31 1,000 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 18,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 19 870 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 15,660 60 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Jan. 19 130 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 1,950 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 3 1,000 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 18,00 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 15 800 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 14,400 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 15 200 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 3,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 28 800 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 14,400 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Feb. 28 200 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 3,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 11 800 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 14,400 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Mar. 11 200 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 3,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Apr. 17 800 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 14,400 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Apr. 17 200 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 3,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Apr. 27 800 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 14,400 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Apr. 27 200 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 3,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 May 5 800 Springfield Rifle Musket 1st class 18 00 14,400 00 Dec. 14, 1863

E. Remington & Sons 1865 May 5 200 Springfield Rifle Musket 2nd class 15 00 3,000 00 Dec. 14, 1863

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”

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ENSplit-Breech Carbines Delivered on Contract of October 24, 1864

PURCHASES of “‘Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles, and Small Arms,’ since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department: from

whom purchased, and to whom paid for: price; total amount; date of contract or order, and date of payment”

CONTRACTOR’S NAME DATE OF QUANTITY KIND OF STORES PRICE TOTAL ORDERPURCHASE AMOUNT DATE

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Sep. 30 1,000 Carbines & Appendages $23 00 $23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Oct. 25 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 82 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Nov. 4 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Nov. 18 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Nov. 30 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1865 Dec. 22 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Jan. 5 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Jan. 5 3 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 69 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Jan. 5 1 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Jan. 5 3 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 69 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Jan. 20 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Feb. 1 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Feb. 17 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Mar. 5 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Mar. 26 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Apr. 6 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 Apr. 27 1,000 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

E. Remington & Sons 1866 May 2 992 Carbines & Appendages 23 00 23,000 00 Oct. 24, 1864

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”

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Memorandum of Receipts“Memorandum of Receipts of 15,000 REMINGTON CARBINES from E. REMINGTON & SONS under their CONTRACTS

from CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated OCTOBER 24, 1864”

DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1865 Book No.

Sep. 30 — — 1 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Oct. 25 — — 2 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Nov. 4 — — 3 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Nov. 18 — — 4 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Nov. 30 — — 5 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Dec. 22 — — 6 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

1866

Jan. 6 — — 7 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,007 Rem. Carbines

Jan. 20 — — 8 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Feb. 1 — — 9 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Feb. 19 — — 10 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Mar. 5 — — 11 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Mar. 21 — — 12 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Apr. 6 — — 13 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Apr. 27 — — 14 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,001 Rem. Carbines

May 24 — — 15 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 992 Rem. Carbines

Total 15,000

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandums of Receipts.”

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ENMemorandum of Receipts

“Memorandum of Receipts of 5,000 REMINGTON CARBINES cal. .44 from SAMUEL NORRIS under their CONTRACT from

CHIEF OF ORDNANCE dated JANUARY 19, 1865”

DATE OF DELIVERY REGISTER OF TAKEN UP ON RECEIVING WHERE SHIPPED NO. DESCRIPTIONREPORT CERTIFICATE NO. OFFICER

1865 Book No.

May 6 — — 1 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

May 26 — — 2 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Jun. 8 — — 3 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Jun. 22 — — 4 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Jun. 30 — — 5 Colonel Thornton New York Arsenal 1,000 Rem. Carbines

Total 5,000

Source: National Archives, Record Group 156, Entry 80, “Memorandums of Receipts.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Metallic Cartridge

Alterations

The reader will note that I have taken some liberties in this and the following chapter, having

previously confined my discussion to Remington’s Civil War production of arms for the

Ordnance Department (U.S. Army) and Bureau of Ordnance (U.S. Navy). The majority of my

research material has been gleaned from records of these two departments preserved in the

National Archives. I have relied heavily on these records in defining Remington’s postwar activ-

ities in experimentation and production of cartridge alterations. My studies have revealed that

the military’s dealings with Remington in the above areas were entwined with the efforts of

other manufacturers, such as Smith & Wesson and Colt. I hold that some of these interrelation-

ships deserve discussion, and I will do so as this story progresses.

Following the delivery of the final lot of army revolvers from the Utica Armory in the

spring of 1865, both Remington and their employees soon faced the consequences of the war’s

end. The Utica Armory had been established for the sole purpose of producing revolvers for

the government and had provided employment for many of the area’s breadwinners for almost

four years. Census figures for 1864–65 state that the armory employed 150 men and 35 boys,

with an average monthly wage of twenty-five dollars. Without government contracts,

Remington could not keep the plant in operation. The company dismantled the machinery,

some of which was sent to the Ilion Armory. There it would remain idle during the transition

from government to commercial production.

Remington quite possibly transferred some machinery and employees to an expanded

endeavor within Utica. The city directory listed, for the first time in 1865–66, the

“Remington Agricultural Works, corner of Fayette and Seneca Streets” (figure 105). The

original Agricultural Works had been established in Ilion in 1856. This operation was a nat-

ural outgrowth of the forge operations conducted by the original Eliphalet, dating to the

early 1800s, and continued in operation until the firm underwent bankruptcy proceedings

in 1886. A vast array of goods was produced by these works, including, but not limited to,

all manner of hand tools and farm implements, bridges, and steam cars for transit systems

(figure 106).

Samuel Remington had taken up residence in Utica in 1863, presumably for the purpose of

overseeing operations of the new armory. The agricultural works remained listed in the 1867–68

Utica City Directory, but Samuel Remington’s residence was sold in May 1866. The company

225

once again had selected him as envoy; this time, his duties required him to pursue and negoti-

ate arms contracts with governments in Europe and the Near East, where he remained for sev-

eral years. His presence in France at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War in August 1870

proved to be very fortuitous for the company. The new French Republic was desperate for arms,

and Samuel Remington was just the man to procure them. His efforts, on behalf of the French

war minister, led to the acquisition of nearly five hundred thousand arms for the French Army,

many of which were purchased from the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Department, with Remington

receiving a percentage of the gross.

Having only two U.S. government contracts unfulfilled at war’s end, Remington scaled back

production at Ilion. The first such contract was for the Springfield rifle, under which some

twenty-three thousand arms remained to be delivered. The second was for fifteen thousand car-

bines, but these had been licensed to Samuel Norris and were being manufactured by the Savage

Revolving Arms Company in Middletown, Connecticut. Remington had little to do with their

actual manufacture, except as a possible supplier of barrels. In December 1864 the Ordnance

Department granted a one-year extension for completion of the rifle contract, and Remington

wisely decided to take full advantage of this largess. By doing so, they bought precious time to

keep their most valued employees on the payroll, while also developing a line of arms for the

commercial market.

Remington had made some plans for postwar arms production (figure 107), as evidenced in

an advertisement dated December 13, 1865, and published in the Herkimer County Citizen. It enu-

merated the arms the company was then offering to the public:

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Figure 105Remington Agricultural Company. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Vest Pocket Pistol. Using Metallic Cartridge No. 22. 3 inch Barrel. 1 Shot. Weight 3

1/2 oz.

New Repeating Pistol. Calibre or Size of Bore 20-100ths of an inch; using Metallic

Cartridge No. 22. 3 inch Barrel. 5 Shots. Weight 8 1/2 oz.

New Repeating Pistol. Calibre or Size of Bore 30-100ths of an inch diameter; using

Metallic Cartridge No. 32. 3 1/2 inch Barrel. 4 Shots. Weight 13 oz.

Pocket Revolver. Double Action or Self Cocking. Calibre or Size of Bore 31-100ths

of an inch; carrying 140 Round Balls to the Pound. 3 inch barrel, 5 Shots. Weight 10 oz.

New Pocket Revolvers. Calibre or size of Bore 31-100ths of an inch diameter, carry-

ing 92 elongated or 140 Round Balls to the Pound. 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 inch barrel, 5 shots,

weight 14 and 16 oz.

New Model Belt Revolver. (Navy Size Calibre.) Single Action. Calibre or Size of

Bore, 36-100ths of an inch; carrying 50 Elongated or 86 Round Balls to the pound.

6 inch Barrel, 6 Shots. Weight 2 lbs. 2 oz.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Figure 106Remington broadside from 1876. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

New Model Belt Revolver. (Navy Size Calibre.) Double Action or Self Cocking.

Calibre or Size of Bore, 36-100ths of an inch; carrying 50 Elongated or 86 Round Balls

to the pound. 6 inch Barrel, 6 Shots. Weight 2 lbs. 2 oz.

New Police Revolvers. Calibre or Size of Bore, 36-100ths of an inch. 4 1/2, 5 1/2, and

6 1/2 inch barrel. Five shots. Weight 22, 23, 24 oz.

New Model Navy Revolver. (Pattern now used in the U.S. Navy.) Calibre or Size of

Bore 36-100ths of an inch; carrying 50 Elongated or 86 Round Balls to the pound. 7 1/2

inch Barrel, 6 Shots. Weight 2 lbs. 10 oz.

New Model Holster or Army Revolver. Approved by the Ordnance Department,

and adopted for the United States Service. (More than 125,000 supplied for the

Service, since 1861.) Calibre or Size of Bore 44-100ths of an inch diameter; carrying 33

elongated or 48 round Balls to the pound. 8 inch Barrel. 6 Shots. Weight 2 lbs. 14 oz.

Rifle Cane. Calibre or Size of Bore 30-100ths of an inch diameter; using Metallic

Cartridge Size No. 32. Barrel Steel, covered with Vulcanized Rubber. Weight 24 oz. This

arm is new in construction and character, combining the advantages of a Walking

Cane and Rifle. It is light and portable, but at the same time is nearly as efficient in

point of Range, Accuracy, and Penetration, as a Rifle of the same length.

Revolving Breech Rifles. Calibre or Size of Bore, 36-100ths of an inch diameter;

carrying 44 Elongated or 86 Round Balls to the pound. 44-100ths of an inch diameter;

carrying 33 Elongated or 48 Round Balls to the pound. 6 Shots. Weight 6 lbs.

Carbine–New Model. (Single Breech Loading.) Pattern used in U.S. Army. Calibre

or Size of Bore, 44-100ths of an inch diameter; using Metallic Cartridge—Size No. 46.

20 inch Steel Barrel. Weight 5 lbs.

U.S. Rifle. Harper’s Ferry Pattern—Model of 1861. Calibre or Size of Bore, 58-

100ths of an inch diameter. 33 inch Steel Barrel, with Sabre Bayonet.

U.S. Rifle Musket. Springfield Pattern—Model of 1862. Caliber or Size of Bore, 58-

100ths of an inch diameter. 37 1/2 inch Barrel, with Angular Bayonet.1

Some of the handguns offered had been introduced shortly before the war but had been

temporarily discontinued when Remington had turned their full attention to filling government

orders and contracts. They also offered newly designed handguns; among these were a line of

smaller revolvers based on their popular New Model Army and Navy revolvers. It is interesting

to note that the single-shot Vest Pocket pistols, based on Rider’s split-breech action, and Elliot’s

Double Derringer pistol were not, at this time, offered to the public. The long guns were rejects

and culls remaining from military contracts, namely, the Harpers Ferry and Springfield pattern

muskets and the smaller version of Rider’s split-breech carbine.

None of the articles offered would bring large commercial sales, but the company was devel-

oping a new patent by Rider that, once perfected, would prove to be a success beyond their

wildest dreams (figure 108). It is now known to collectors as the Remington-Rider Rolling Block

system; some of the first pistols using this action were manufactured for the U.S. Navy. The

superiority of Rider’s system soon came to the attention of foreign governments, who inundated

Remington with orders for rifles and carbines.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Over the next forty years, Remington used Rider’s system to produce over 1.5 million rifle

variations and several thousand pistols. Although the foreign government orders made the

Rolling Block a huge success, it was also very popular with American sportsmen and hunters.

The simplicity and strength of Rider’s system was universally recognized, and the actions are still

sought for building custom single-shot rifles. Recognizing this demand, an Italian arms com-

pany introduced a handgun based on Rider’s action several years ago, and recently the modern

Remington Arms Company introduced a rifle version of this old favorite. The firm’s survival

during the great depression of the 1870s can be directly attributed to this action’s success.

Shortly after the end of the Civil War, Remington sent an inquiry to the secretary of war.

This was referred to the Ordnance Office, with Dyer replying on April 29, 1865:

Gentlemen,

Yours of the 28th inst. to the Secretary of War, asking information as to the number of

revolver pistols we used during the War, has been referred to this office and in reply I have

to state that there has been procured from the commencement of hostilities to the present

time, 466,772 pistols of which 397,877 have been issued to the troops. Your firm has fur-

nished in that time, 128,575 Revolvers, 10,000 Harpers Ferry Rifles, 15,000 Springfield

Rifle Muskets. Contracts have been given to you for 20,000 Remington Carbines, none of

which have yet been delivered.2

Once again, I have difficulty with the numbers quoted in the department’s correspondence.

We know that the Colt, Remington, and Starr firms were the three largest revolver contractors

during the Civil War; they furnished approximately three hundred thousand revolvers to the

government. Smaller contractors, such as Savage, Whitney, and Rogers & Spencer, had furnished

Figure 107Remington broadside from 1866.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

another thirty thousand revolvers. There are some one hundred thousand revolvers unac-

counted for in Dyer’s figures. I have again referred to the Ordnance Department’s ledgers, where

there are numerous entries for small lots of revolvers purchased on the open market during the

early days of the war. These included those of the above manufacturers plus Allen & Wheelock,

Joslyn, Freeman, Adams, and European arms, such as Perrin and Lefoucheaux. The combined

totals of all these purchases did not total more than thirty thousand revolvers. It appears that the

figures supplied to and by Dyer were not correct.

On April 15, 1870, the commanding officer of the Springfield Armory ordered army revolver

spare parts from Remington. Remington’s reply on the eighteenth is of particular interest:

Col. J. G. Benton

Springfield, Mass.

Dear Sir,

Your favor of 15th is at hand, we would say, we shall send order of 5th of April Tuesday

19th, and shall include the 30 levers of order made the 26th with the other parts. We had

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Figure 108Joseph Rider’s patent, number 45,797.(Courtesy: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

not the levers at the time we sent the other order, it is three or four years since we made

any parts of the Army pistol and we have been running short of some of them. We hope to

be in condition soon to fill any orders you may send without delay.3

Remington continued to manufacture and market the percussion navy revolver into the

1870s but had discontinued the army model shortly after the war, as stated in the previous letter.

The logic behind their decision may never be known, but it is reasonable to assume that a large

number of army revolver parts were in various stages of manufacture at war’s end. These parts,

along with a large inventory of revolvers that had failed to pass the Ordnance Department’s

inspection, provided Remington with an ample inventory of army models and parts. Another

consideration was the large number of revolvers acquired by the Federal government during the

war, many of which would soon find their way into the commercial market.

Postwar sales of Remington’s percussion navy revolver were extremely slow. A study of serial

numbers indicates that less than six thousand were sold in commercial markets from the end of

the war until the introduction of the navy cartridge model in the early 1870s.

The large number of percussion revolvers purchased by the Ordnance Department during

the Civil War drew the attention of many in the arms industry. Metallic cartridges were the

ammunition of the future, as evidenced by the success of Smith & Wesson’s revolvers and vari-

ous metallic cartridge carbines and rifles used during the war. The fly in the ointment, in regard

to cartridge revolvers, was Rollin White’s patents number 12,648 and 12,649 (figure 109), dated

April 3, 1855, which would not expire until 1869. White’s patents did not mention metallic car-

tridges but did depict a cylinder bored completely through. White assigned his patents to Smith

& Wesson in 1856; they used his concept to produce .22 and .32 caliber rim fire metallic cartridge

revolvers. White litigated successful lawsuits against patent infringers in the early 1860s. Other

manufacturers sought ways to legally evade his patent, which led to many interesting, but not

too successful, cartridge revolvers.

Remington’s interest in altering their percussion revolvers to metallic cartridge seems to

have gained momentum shortly after the war. There is evidence showing their involvement in

altering their Remington Army Revolver in late 1865 or early 1866. William Mason, later cred-

ited with designing and patenting the cartridge ejector found on the Colt “Richards-Mason”

alterations, had an abiding interest in methods of removing expended cartridge cases from

revolver cylinders. In drawings submitted to the patent office on two of his early patents (fig-

ures 110 and 111), he depicted applications to the Remington revolver. Rider, another of

Remington’s resident geniuses, also patented a cartridge extractor (figure 112). His concept

appeared mounted on a Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver (figure 113), which in retrospect seems

odd considering his long and successful association with Remington. All three of these patents

were assigned to E. Remington & Sons.

There are four known Remington Army Revolver specimens on which these two extractor

systems have been applied, three with Mason’s and a single specimen with Rider’s. Except for the

application of the extractor, the specimen by Rider bears striking similarities to the cartridge

alteration method later used by Remington on the revolvers altered for Cincinnati, Ohio, arms

dealer Benjamin Kittredge (figure 114). They all have new five-shot cylinders that chamber the

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 109Rollin White’s patent, number12,649. (Courtesy: U.S. Patentand Trademark Office)

Figure 110William Mason’s patent, number 51,117.(Courtesy: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

.46 caliber rim fire cartridge. In the patent papers of both Mason and Rider, the alteration sys-

tems were not described; the patentees’ claims were confined to the cartridge extraction system

(figures 115 and 116).

The author can lay claim to being the first to identify Rider’s previously unknown specimen

seen on a dealer’s table at a California gun show. When discovered, this specimen was missing

Rider’s extractor. The present owner, with the aid of Rider’s original patent drawings, has

restored it to its original configuration.

The army’s Ordnance Department also took an early interest in altering percussion revolvers

to metallic cartridge, as evidenced by the following 1865 letter from the Springfield Armory to

the chief of ordnance:

June 27, 1865

General,

I have sent to your address by todays [sic] express a repeating pistol, Navy size, which I

have altered to use the centre primed metallic cartridges.

From the construction of the pistol and cartridges you will see that it is especially

applicable to a revolver of any size, using any charge of powder. This is more than can be

Figure 111William Mason’s patent, number 53,539.(Courtesy: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 113Joseph Rider’s prototype Model 1860 Colt Army Revolver with cartridge ejector. (Courtesy: Charles W. Patephotograph, Smithsonian Collection)

Figure 112Joseph Rider’s patent, number 51,269.(Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

235

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

said of the revolving pistols using the metallic cartridges generally in use. The maximum

charge of the French Cavalry pistol is only ten grains of powder.

If revolvers are required for the Cavalry service, a pistol of this kind, using this kind

of ammunition, will, I think, be found highly effective and convenient.

T. T. S. Laidley

Major of Ord.4

This letter leaves pertinent questions unanswered. What type of revolver had Laidley

altered? More compelling, what type of center fire cartridge was used in this early alteration? All

available evidence seems to indicate that the Ordnance Department had not yet begun their

experiments on center fire cartridges. We may never know the answers to the above questions,

as I have not found further reference to this revolver.

The Ordnance Department received proposals to alter the army’s Colt and Remington

revolvers as early as 1866. One of the first had come from Remington, and on February 15, 1867,

Figure 114Benjamin Kittredge letterheaddepicting Remington NewModel Army cartridge revolver.(Courtesy: Jay Huber)

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CHAPTER EIGHT

the company again approached the chief of ordnance with news of further developments in

this regard:

Sometime since we had the pleasure of presenting to your notice, sample of our Army

Revolver, altered to adapt it to the use of the Metallic Cartridge.

We have recently made a further modification or improvement in the plan referred

to, by which the cylinder now used in the pistols can be retained, if desired, and a new

cylinder for metallic cartridge being furnished, either one could be used as occasion

might require.

We will have one of the pistols altered upon the plan above mentioned, for your

examination if desired, and if it be the purpose of the Government to have any consider-

able number of revolvers now in the Service, converted to cartridge pistols, we shall be

pleased to make proposals for altering the same, should our plan be approved.

Figure 115Remington New Model Army Revolver with Mason’s cartridge extractor. (Author’s photograph)

Figure 116Remington New Model Army Revolver with Rider’s cartridge extractor. (Author’s photograph)

P.S. We are led to address you in regard to the above, understanding that Messrs.

Smith & Wesson of Worchester Mass. had been requested to alter samples of the Army

Revolver for cartridges, with reference to converting a large number of them for the Govt.5

Further insight into Remington’s reference to the Smith & Wesson firm will be gleaned as this

story unfolds.

Dyer responded to this on the following day:

Gentlemen:

I have to acknowledge your letter of the 15th inst. and in reply to state that I shall be

pleased to examine your altered pistols if you think proper to send one to this office for

that purpose.

Several parties in the East have asked for the privilege of altering a few revolvers to

present them for examination, which has been granted, but this Department has not yet

taken into consideration the subject of the alteration of its revolvers.

A. B. Dyer, Chief Ordnance6

One of the parties referred to in Dyer’s letter was Reuben W. Drew, superintendent of the

Lowell Arms Company, Lowell, Massachusetts. This firm started in business in late 1864 as the

Rollin White Arms Company. White’s involvement is not clear, but the use of his name was evi-

dently seen as a marketing advantage by the promoters. Through his association, they secured a

contract with Smith & Wesson to manufacture revolvers of that firm’s pattern, eventually deliv-

ering nearly ten thousand .22 caliber revolvers to Smith & Wesson. In the meantime, the promot-

ers had some difficulties with White, and in 1867, the name of the firm was changed to Lowell

Arms Company.

Drew and Alfred B. Ely, another employee of the firm, had developed a system of altering per-

cussion revolvers for the use of metallic cartridges. They approached the Ordnance Department,

submitting an altered Remington revolver that featured a cartridge ejector designed and later

patented by Drew in 1867 (figure 117).

Despite Dyer’s statement that the Ordnance Department had little interest in altering their

revolvers, he took an exceptional fascination in the various alteration methods presented, for-

warding many prototypes to the Springfield Armory for testing. This was the case with Drew’s

alteration, and the following report was submitted to the commanding officer of the armory on

March 30, 1867:

Bvt. Col. J. G. Benton

Sir:

In accordance with your instructions I have examined and fired an altered Remington Army

Pistol presented for trial by Mr. Drew and have the honor to submit the following report.

In Mr. Drew’s pistol the old cylinder is discarded and in its place a new one substi-

tuted of the same external dimensions but containing only five chambers. By this arrange-

ment the walls are made thicker.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

The chambers are bored completely through the cylinder, and the cartridges, which

are Martin’s centre fire metallic are inserted at the breech. To accomplish this, a portion

of the breech piece is made movable so that it may be opened when the old cases are to be

extracted or new loads put in, and closed again to prevent the cartridges from dropping or

jarring out of place.

The old cases are ejected by a rammer fastened to the side of the barrel and moving

parallel to it. (See next page.)

Twenty (20) shots were fired at a target distance 100 yds. (See target record.)

The mean of several shots fired into a butt composed of white pine boards 1 inch thick

and intervals of 1 inch showed a penetration of 4 1/2 in. The penetration of the Remington

Army Pistol (unaltered) is 4 in.

500 rounds were fired to test the endurance and general working of the arm. The car-

tridge used was Martin’s centre fire and contained 30 grains musket powder and 215 grs.

lead. The result was satisfactory in every respect. Of the last 200 fired none missed. The

first 300 were unreliable owing to a defect in manufacture. The ejector worked well and

removed the shells without difficulty. No cases burst. Thirty rounds were loaded and fired

in three minutes.

H. Stockton

2nd Lieut. Bvt. Capt.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 117Reuben Drew’s patent, num-ber 63,450. (Courtesy: U.S.Patent and Trademark Office)

239

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Next page.

As the rammer would be inconveniently long if arranged to act on the bottom of the

shells, the head is enlarged so that in one direction its diameter is very nearly that of the

chamber. The diameter in other direction is somewhat reduced to facilitate insertion. As

each chamber is brought in succession to the proper position the rammer is pressed in,

and the head catching the edge of the shell ejects it. A spiral spring withdraws the rammer

when the head is removed.7

Drew’s alteration seems to have had several advantages over the specimen submitted by

Remington. Admittedly, I have little on which to base my comparison, but if Remington’s ver-

sion resembled that later produced for Kittredge, I can easily see the disadvantages. There was

no loading gate to ensure capture of the cartridges. There was no cartridge ejector, but this

nicety may have been vetoed by Kittredge to reduce his cost. The cartridge used in Drew’s ver-

sion was Martin’s .44 center fire, whereas Remington, having developed their version before cen-

ter fire cartridges were a reality, had relied on rim fire cartridges. Of course, Remington could

have redesigned their revolver for center fire cartridges, but the Martin center fire cartridges

were not then being commercially produced. Remington’s only but useful advantage was that the

user could revert to loose powder and ball in the absence of metallic cartridges.

In this, Remington’s concept was not novel. Some six years earlier, on May 20, 1861, William C.

Freeman, acting as agent for Benjamin F. Joslyn, submitted a Joslyn revolver to the navy’s Bureau

of Ordnance:

Capt. Andrew A. Harwood

Sir:

I desire to call your attention to a Revolving Pistol invented by Mr. B. F. Joslyn of

Worcester, Mass., for the purpose of having the same tested by your Dept.

The peculiarity of this pistol consists in the means by which the cylinder is made to

revolve, and the movement of the detent which holds the cylinder, and its arrangement for

using the fixed ammunition similar to that used in the small pistols of Smith & Wesson,

or the ordinary powder & ball.

The bore of the Pistol is the same as the Army Pistol of Mr. Colt but weighs one

pound less than that and about the same as the Navy pistol.

Mr. Joslyn is the first inventor who has succeeded in making a Pistol to practically use

fixed ammunition with a large size ball; his plan overcomes all the difficulties hitherto

experienced in the use of such ammunition, of a large size, as by it, the Pistol can be fired

as many times as may be desired, without the cylinder being prevented from revolving by

friction or bursting of the cap of the cartridge.

The following is from the opinion of a board of Army officers composed of Col. J. E.

Johnson, Majors Ramsey, Maynardier, and Laidley, appointed to test the Pistol: “The

Board is of opinion that the mode of revolving the cylinder and working the detent, the

special peculiarity of this pistol, is preferable to those generally used in revolving pistols;

the mechanism by which it is operated being simpler in its construction, surer in perform-

ing its functions and less liable to get out of order.”

An early trial will oblige.8

The revolver submitted to the bureau for evaluation was furnished with two .44 caliber five-

shot cylinders, that is, a conventional percussion and a second bored through for metallic car-

tridges. Although not identified, the author suspects that the metallic cartridge employed was

the .44 Henry rim fire recently introduced for the Henry rifle.

The favorable report by the Board of Army Officers was no doubt a factor in the bureau’s

decision to test the revolver. The Ordnance Office, Washington Navy Yard, forwarded the follow-

ing report to John A. Dahlgren, commander of the Washington Navy Yard on June 17, 1861:

Joslyn’s Revolver has been fired with waterproof charges 20 rounds of 5 charges each.

The first round the cylinder charged was submerged in water for 22 hours and 40

minutes before firing—at the 19th round one charge failed to explode, the only one of a

hundred charges—5 rounds were loaded and fired in 3m. 18s.—At the 16th round the

detent pin broke:—the pistol was repaired and the firing continued.

Five rounds were afterwards fired with the plain cylinder loaded with loose powder

and ball, and fired with caps which showed its capability for using either cylinder.

The following are the dimensions and weights of pistol and ammunition.

Length of Barrel 8 inches

Depth of chamber Waterproof 1.95 “

“ “ Common 1.56 “

Diameter of the Bore .438 “

Weight of Pistol Without Cylinder 2.15 lbs.

“ “ Cylinder waterproof .69 “

“ “ Common .72 “

“ “ Charge 30 grs.

“ “ Ball 207 “

“ “ Metallic cylinder 47 “

“ “ Cartridge 284 “

Diameter of Ball .44 in.

Length of “ .66 in.

R. Wainwright, Lieut. U.S. Navy9

On Dahlgren’s recommendation, the bureau ordered one hundred revolvers from Joslyn. I

have located no further mention of the metallic cartridge cylinders and assume that the revolvers

subsequently delivered to the bureau were equipped with percussion cylinders only. I suspect the

prospect of litigation led Joslyn to withdraw his offer to furnish revolvers with metallic cartridge

cylinders inasmuch as White’s patent was enforceable.

Returning to the events of 1867, the Ordnance Department’s test on Drew’s revolver piqued inter-

est from other sources. Approximately five weeks after the test, Benton sent the following to Drew:

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CHAPTER EIGHT

May 8, 1867

Dear Sir:

I am ordered to issue to Gen’l Sherman a Colt’s Army pistol altered to fire the metallic

cartridge. Gen’l Dyer directed to obtain such a pistol from you if you have one. If you

have not one of Colt’s pattern I presume one of Remington’s will answer. Please inform me

as soon as possible if you can comply with this request, and how soon.10

I have not located Drew’s response but assume that he lost little time in supplying a revolver to

the army’s second in command.

Although Dyer’s interest in alterations was evident, he was also aware that Smith & Wesson

still retained the rights to White’s patent on the bored-through cylinder. This patent had been a

detriment to the government during the Civil War when cartridge revolvers would have been a

decided advantage. The department was steadfast in its resolve not to pay royalties and, there-

fore, decided to play a waiting game. During the next two years, various parties submitted many

variations of Colt and Remington revolvers altered to metallic cartridge for examination and

testing at the Springfield Armory, while further development of center fire cartridges was pur-

sued at the Springfield and Frankford arsenals.

In the meantime, Remington’s altered but dormant revolver was about to resurface. In 1865

Remington had approached Smith & Wesson, seeking a licensing agreement for their altered

revolvers and an anticipated revolving rifle, which was to be based on their New Model Revolver

design. Smith & Wesson was reluctant to grant Remington any type of concession to manufac-

ture altered revolvers, seeing this as a threat to their own revolver endeavors. However, they were

willing to license Remington the right to use Rollin White’s patent on newly manufactured

revolving rifles. To accomplish this, White’s consent was a requisite. At that time, relations

between Smith & Wesson and White were strained, the latter feeling the partnership had not

dealt fairly with him regarding some of his other patents. His refusal to accede brought an end

to the negotiations. John E. Parsons describes these negotiations in detail in his excellent book,

Smith & Wesson Revolvers.11

Through the intervention of a fourth party, progress was later made in brokering an agree-

ment for Remington to use White’s patent. Kittredge, the Ohio arms dealer cited earlier, real-

ized the demand for large caliber metallic cartridge revolvers. In February 1867, he sent a

sample to Smith & Wesson inquiring if they could alter the revolver to use metallic cartridges.

The firm advised him that they could not alter the revolver using existing parts because of the

close proximity of the chambers. From sources unknown, Kittredge then acquired an altered

Remington revolver; this specimen had a new five-shot cylinder and a cartridge extractor at the

rear of the cylinder. This could have been one of the revolvers previously discussed, utilizing

Mason’s or Rider’s patents. Smith & Wesson had objections to the rear placement of the extrac-

tor but felt that the revolver would work well with an ejector placed in front of the cylinder.

About this same time, they advised Remington, “We will give you the right to alter your pres-

ent stock of Army size revolvers (Mr. White assenting) for $1.25 for each pistol.” This right was

not “to include any revolvers belonging to the Govt., as we are negotiating for the alteration of

those ourselves.”12

241

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

242

CHAPTER EIGHT

Remington evidently felt that the royalty requested was excessive and did not accept the

offer. However, after further negotiations between all four parties, Smith & Wesson signed a con-

tract in February 1868, which allowed Remington to alter a lot of army revolvers for Kittredge.

Kittredge was to pay Smith & Wesson $3.3625 per revolver, with that firm retaining $1.00 for roy-

alty fees and forwarding the remainder to Remington. Following their alteration, Remington

shipped the revolvers to Smith & Wesson, where they were inspected and reshipped—3,391 to

Kittredge and 1,149 to J. W. Storrs in New York City. Remington altered a total of 4,540 revolvers

for Kittredge; all had White’s patent date, “April 3d, 1855,” stamped on the side of the cylinder.

The work began in September 1868, with the final delivery in April 1869. This was, coincidently,

the same month that White’s patent on the bored-through cylinder expired. These revolvers

were furnished with two cylinders; the outside of the ratchet collar on the rear of the original

percussion cylinder was reduced in size to the same dimensions as that on the new cartridge

cylinder. With this arrangement, both would interchange in the frame. The .46 caliber rim fire

cartridge for the new cylinder was a shortened version of that used in the Remington-Rider

Split-Breech Carbine delivered to the Ordnance Department in 1864–65. The revolvers altered

for Kittredge can be distinguished from those later produced by Remington for their own sales

by the absence of a cartridge ejector.

The source of the 4,540 Kittredge revolvers is a mystery. Many still have army inspectors’ car-

touches on the grips, and some appear to have been refinished at the time of alteration while

others were not. Had they been procured via Ordnance Department sales, there would be no

mystery, as some of the original grips may have been replaced. Also, in refinishing, other inspec-

tors’ marks may have been obliterated. I am not aware if the Kittredge–Smith &

Wesson–Remington contract discussed these fine points.

Another point of contention among researchers is whether Remington altered any of their

own stock of revolvers remaining from Civil War production, paying royalties to the Smith &

Wesson firm concurrently with the Kittredge revolvers. There is some evidence suggesting that

this was the case, as revolvers with ejectors and bearing White’s patent date are extant. Until now,

it has been assumed that such revolvers were later alterations, using leftover cylinders manufac-

tured during the Kittredge production that bore the White patent date.

There are several variations of the revolver as altered by Remington. I have classified them

into five types:

Type 1. Smith & Wesson–Kittredge revolvers with White’s patent date stamped on

the cylinder’s side but without a cartridge ejector (figure 118).

Type 2. Those revolvers bearing White’s patent date and having an ejector (figure 119).

Type 3. Those revolvers without White’s patent date and having an ejector (figure 120).

Type 4. Those revolvers without White’s patent date and having an ejector. This

variation also has the beveled lead-ins to the cylinder stop (figure 121).

Type 5. Those revolvers identical to type 1 but lacking the patent date (figure 122).

The relieving of the frame at the breech and the beveled lead-ins are highlighted in figure

121. The relieving of the frame was probably done to reduce the effects of powder fouling and is

243

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

found on all the revolvers altered by Remington, but it is more noticeable on the later versions.

All variations produced by Remington were chambered for .46 rim fire caliber. One more fea-

ture that is less noticeable but seems to be found on all these revolvers is the rear sight groove.

The groove was deepened; this would lower the point of aim when firing the revolver (figure

123). I have been informed that modern day shooters have to raise the front sights when using

original percussion Remington revolvers in black powder matches. This would have the same

effect as lowering the rear sight.

I have seen enough of the first four types to classify them as production work, but the fifth

is so scarce that it may be an anomaly, created by installing a later cylinder variation into the

early type frame. These revolvers were furnished with two cylinders; the outside of the ratchet

Figure 118First type Remington New Model Army Revolver as altered to .46 rim fire cartridge for Kittredge. Inset showsWhite’s patent date. Top of barrel shows barrel address obliterated during refinishing. (Author’s collection)

Figure 119Second type Remington army alteration. This type has White’s patent date and cartridge ejector.(Author’s collection)

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 120Third type alteration has an ejector but no patent date. (Author’s collection)

Figure 121Fourth type alteration has an ejector but no patent date and has cylinder bolt lead-ins on cylinder. Cylinderbolt lead-ins and frame relieving are highlighted in insets. CA markings on side of frame have never beenidentified. (Author’s photograph, Roger Philips collection)

Figure 122Fifth type alteration—no patent date, no ejector. (Author’s collection)

collar on the rear of the original percussion cylinder was reduced in size to the same dimensions

as that on the new cartridge cylinder (figures 124 and 125). With this arrangement, both would

interchange in the frame. The .46 caliber rim fire cartridge for the new cylinder was a shortened

version of that used in the Remington-Rider Split-Breech Carbine delivered to the Ordnance

Department in 1864–65. Although the original percussion cylinders were modified at the time of

alteration and furnished with the revolvers, very few existing specimens are found with both

cylinders intact. Over the years, most of these cylinders have been separated from the revolver.

There have been many other cartridge alterations performed on Remington Army Revolvers;

some of these were executed by skilled gunsmiths, some by basement mechanics, and others by

dealers, who acquired them at Ordnance Department auctions. Some of the better examples

bear a marked resemblance to those done at the Remington Armory. One type is almost identi-

cal to the factory alteration, but the cylinder has six chambers that will accept many of the dif-

ferent types of .44 center fire cartridges manufactured from the 1870s until the turn of the

245

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Figure 124Close-up view of right side of first type alteration. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

Figure 123Top of barrel and frame of first type alteration. Note that the rear sight notch has been deepened.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 125Comparison of cylinders, percussion,and cartridge. On the left is an origi-nal .44 percussion cylinder. In themiddle is a percussion cylinder thathas been modified by reducing theratchet collar for use in an alteredrevolver. The cylinder on the right is.46 rim fire. (Author’s collection)

Figure 127An altered RemingtonNew Model Navy Revolverwith loading gate open,caliber .38 rim fire.(Author’s collection)

Figure 126Remington advertisementfor army model alteredrevolver. Revolver shownis a navy model with ahinged loading gate.(Author’s collection)

247

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

century. I suspect that these were altered by an enterprising firm, such as Hartley & Graham or

Francis Bannerman, as a sort of one size fits all approach.

One example frequently encountered has a breech plate that has been forged into the frame

and a cylinder adapted from the original by milling off the rear and sweating on a ring of the

same dimensions and caliber. Some of these latter type cylinders have “Pat. applied for” stamped

across the seam of the two parts of the cylinder, but a search of patent records has yet to explain

the origin of this stamp. I suspect that the cylinders were marked in this manner to deter others

from using this method of adaptation.

On another less seen alteration, the cylinder has a back plate similar to those Remington

used in the 1870s to convert small frame revolvers. Some of the more ambitious center fire exam-

ples have floating firing pins installed in the capping plate, while others have an elongated firing

pin on the hammer that strikes through corresponding holes in the capping plate. Remington

may have experimented with the capping plate alteration on their large frame revolvers; how-

ever, I have yet to encounter an example that I feel is a Remington product. The firm used this

method to adapt their percussion Belt, Police, and Pocket Model revolvers and Revolving Rifles

to rim fire cartridges.

Remington continued to market their army alteration well into the 1870s, although their

advertisements for this arm usually depicted the navy revolver with a hinged loading gate (fig-

ures 126 and 127). I surmise that the firm received more than one response from a displeased cus-

tomer who thought he had ordered a cartridge revolver with a loading gate and received an arm

lacking this feature.

During this same transition period from percussion to metallic cartridge, the Ordnance

Department pursued the development of center fire metallic cartridges. Numerous experiments

were conducted on cartridges and revolver alterations at both Frankford and Springfield arsenals.

On April 3, 1869, with the expiration of White’s patent, Smith & Wesson’s control of the

bored-through cylinder lapsed; however, other manufacturers did not leap at the opportunity to

produce metallic cartridge revolvers employing this feature. White, with Smith & Wesson’s

encouragement, sought an extension from the patent office, claiming that the expense of litigat-

ing lawsuits against infringers had left him with very little profit from his patent, but the com-

missioner of patents, Elisha Foote, denied his appeal. After this rebuff, White carried his fight to

the U.S. Senate. That body passed a bill requiring the commissioner to reconsider his extension

application, and a similar bill sailed through the House of Representatives on the following day.

These actions by Congress did not go unnoticed by the chief of ordnance who, on December 11,

1869, sent the following to the secretary of war, W. W. Belknap:

Sir,

On the ninth of April, 1869, a bill authorizing the Commissioner of Patents to reconsider

the application of Rollin White for extension of his patents was introduced in the Senate

and passed without debate. It passed the House without debate on the 10th of April, but

failed to receive the signature of the Vice-President before Congress adjourned. It is

understood that it has now been signed by that officer, but only awaits the approval of the

President to become law.

Unless the ends of justice require the extension of this patent, it should not be

renewed. So far as I have been able to ascertain, justice to the government and to the pub-

lic forbids this patent from being renewed.

The validity of the patent has been questioned for many years; and it is understood

that it was affirmed by the Supreme Court by a tie vote; four of the justices voting affir-

matively, and an equal number negatively.

Its renewal is urged by Rollin White upon the ground that he has not been sufficiently

compensated for his invention. Rollin White has received nearly seventy-one thousand dollars

as royalty. Smith & Wesson, for the years 1862–’63–’64–’65–’66–’67 and ’68 received incomes

amounting in the aggregate to about one million dollars. This was derived chiefly from the

manufacture of the arms under Rollin White’s patent, that firm holding the exclusive right to

manufacture under it, and being engaged almost exclusively in their manufacture.

It is believed that the government suffered inconvenience and embarrassment enough

during the war in consequence of the inability of manufacturers to use this patent, and its

further extension will operate prejudicially to its interest by compelling it to pay, to par-

ties already well paid, a large royalty for altering its revolvers to use metallic cartridges.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that you will call the attention of the

President of the United States to the subject before he acts upon the bill now before him.

A. B. Dyer,

Chief of Ordnance13

White’s hopes of realizing further benefits from his patent were thwarted when President

Ulysses S. Grant vetoed the bill; although there was some opposition in the Senate, the veto was

sustained. Subsequent bills on White’s behalf were introduced in Congress, but to no avail. After

Smith & Wesson withdrew their support for White’s efforts, the matter was finally dropped in 1876.

After it became public knowledge that the Ordnance Department was seriously considering a

system to alter some percussion revolvers, there were other parties who submitted plans. At least

three submissions came from army officers, and others arrived from various arms manufacturers.

On August 6, 1869, the adjutant general of the army issued General Order No. 60, which con-

vened a board of army officers to meet “at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, on or about the 15th day of

September, and continue its sessions from time to time, at such places as the Board may deter-

mine, to practically test the systems of tactics heretofore adopted for the Artillery, Cavalry, and

Infantry arms of service.”14 By October 23, this board had decided to make their headquarters at

Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis Arsenal, Missouri. On that date, the adjutant general issued further

orders in relation to the board’s duties:

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY

GENERAL ORDERS ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE

No. 72 Washington, October 23, 1869

I. The Board of Officers assembled at St. Louis, Missouri, for the revision of tactics, of

which Major General J. M. Schofield is the President, will in addition to the duties

assigned, also examine and report on the best small arms and accoutrements for the use of

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CHAPTER EIGHT

the Army of the United States. This board will act in conjunction with a Board of Naval

Officers, and endeavor, if possible, to adopt small arms of a pattern and caliber suitable

in both branches of the service with common ammunition and parts interchangeable.

II. The commanding officers of St. Louis Arsenal and of the Engineer Battalion at

Jefferson Barracks are hereby associated with the Army Board in all of its experiments

and tests, and the troops stationed at these posts, with all their resources, are hereby

placed subject to the orders of this Board, with a view to make these tests as perfect as the

time allowed will permit.

III. The Board will embrace in its examination the arms and accoutrements now in use, and

any that may be sent to it from any quarter whatever, subject to the conditions of this order.

IV. Owners and patentees will not be heard in person or by attorney, and must trust to

the merits of their samples; but they may send along with their samples any printed or

manuscript description to facilitate the manipulation of the parts.

V. In the final report, which should, if possible, be rendered by May 1, 1870, the Board will

designate the six best muskets for infantry, carbines and pistols for Cavalry and Artillery,

and six sets of accoutrements, knapsacks and haversacks, in the order of merit, and the

War Department will purchase the same at a price fixed by the owner and approved by

the Board. In making its selection, the Board will take into consideration all the elements

of the problem, viz: simplicity of construction, uniformity of caliber, character of ammu-

nition, interchangeability of parts, and the condition of the present supply on hand in the

various arsenals.

VI. After the Board has made its award, the arms and accoutrements not selected will be

reboxed and held, in the St Louis Arsenal, subject to the order of the owner or his agent.

By command of General Sherman:

E. D. Townsend,

Adjutant General.15

The board made their final report to Townsend, and it was subsequently published by the

Ordnance Department as “Ordnance Memoranda No. 11,” under date of June 10, 1870.

Under the posted list of pistols submitted for test, I found the following:

1 Remington revolver, caliber .44”, Springfield Armory.

1 National Arms Company revolver, caliber.

1 Remington single barreled pistol (modified), caliber .50”.

1 Remington single barreled pistol, caliber .50”.

4 Remington revolvers, caliber .44”, Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, respectively.

1 Smith & Wesson revolver, caliber .44”.

1 Whitney Arms Company revolver, stationary breech, caliber .44”.

1 Whitney Arms Company revolver, revolving breech, caliber .44”.16

The revolver heading this list was an example of the New Model Army altered at the

Springfield Armory under the direction of Dyer. The National Arms Company revolver has not

249

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

been identified. The two Remington single-barreled pistols were improvements on the Rolling

Block Pistol that Remington had furnished to the navy three years earlier. Remington had submit-

ted revolvers No. 2, 3, 4, and 5. The Smith & Wesson firm offered a newly developed cartridge

model (figure 128). The two revolvers submitted by Eli Whitney were, in fact, altered Remington

New Model Army Revolvers. Whitney requested the return of his two submissions on June 27, 1870:

Brig. Gen. A. B. Dyer

Sir

Please return to the Whitney Arms Co. by express immediately the 2 samples of altered

Remington pistol which we sent as samples of alteration.17

Dyer responded to this request on June 30:

Your letter of the 27th inst. is received. The two pistols which you sent for trial by the St.

Louis Board, were forwarded to St. Louis Arsenal, on the 23rd of April last, and Gen.

Callander has this day been requested to send them to you by express if they are in his

charge.18

The following is an excerpt of the board’s report on pistols:

Of the breech loading pistols submitted, the Board have selected the following six in the

order of relative merit:

First.—The Remington single-barreled pistol, with guard; center fire.

Second.—The Smith & Wesson revolver.

Third.—The Remington revolver No. 2.

Fourth.—The Remington revolver No. 5.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 128Smith & Wesson No. 3 American Army Revolver. (Author’s photograph)

Fifth.—The Remington revolver No. 3.

Sixth.—The Remington revolver No. 4.

The Remington is the only single-barreled pistol submitted. It is an excellent weapon,

but should be so modified as to load at the half-cock.

The Smith & Wesson is decidedly superior to any other revolver submitted. It should

be modified as follows, viz: Made center fire; the cylinder lengthened so as to close the

space in front of the breech-block, and countersunk to cover the rim of the cartridge; cal-

iber increased to the standard.

The mainspring of the Remington arm should be strengthened so as to increase the

certainty of fire; also, the plunger should be made to strike more accurately the center of

the base of the cartridge.

The Board respectfully recommend that all small arms be made of the same caliber.

Large caliber is regarded as even more important for pistols and revolvers than for arms of

longer range.

Pistols and revolvers should have the “saw handle,” so shaped that, in engaging the

weapon from the holster to use, it will not be necessary to change the first grasp, or bend

the wrist.

The charge of powder for the pistol cartridge should be increased as much as the

strength of the weapon will justify; the limit to be determined by suitable experiments.

It is the opinion of the Board that cavalry armed with saber should have one or two

single-barreled pistols as a substitute for the carbine; and that cavalry armed with the

carbine should have a revolver as a substitute for the saber.19

The chief of ordnance did not concur with all of the board’s recommendations, but to a

large extent, the department followed their advice. The Remington single-shot pistol seems to

have fared as well as any of the pistols mentioned. Later that same year, W. C. Squires, acting as

agent for Remington, negotiated a barter for five thousand of these in exchange for five thou-

sand of the army’s New Model Army percussion revolvers that had never been issued; these in

turn, were subsequently sold by Remington to the French government.

In December 1870, Dyer acted on the trials board’s recommendations and ordered one thou-

sand Smith & Wesson revolvers, providing the firm would adapt them to the department’s spec-

ifications. The revolver, as tested, had been chambered for the .44 Henry rim fire cartridge; the

board recommended that the cartridge be changed to center fire. The company was only too

happy to comply with this request, but during discussions about the design change, the

Ordnance Department neglected to specify the dimensions of the cartridge to be used. Smith &

Wesson redesigned the cartridge to center fire, but this later created some confusion and incon-

venience for the department when it was discovered that the bore diameter for the Smith &

Wesson revolvers would not accept the bullet diameter of the size necessary to engage the rifling

of the Colt and Remington alterations. This required the department to manufacture .44 center

fire cartridges in two sizes, the box labels of which were very specific in identifying the types of

revolvers for which the cartridges were intended (figure 129). Smith & Wesson delivered one

thousand revolvers to the Springfield Armory in March 1871.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

After concluding negotiations for the Smith & Wesson revolvers, Dyer turned his attention to

the alteration of the army’s percussion revolvers. He first approached Remington on January 5,

1871, inquiring as to their charge for altering one thousand New Model Army Revolvers;

Remington did not respond until January 10:

Your two letters of the 5th inst. are received: also the box containing the four pistols, one

of which with checked handle we return today.

Owing to some difficulties regarding the making of Revolvers on Plan No. 2, referred

to in your letter of the 5th, we defer answering in full before our Mr. S. Remington sees

you on this matter. He expects to be in Washington in course of this week.20

I assume that Samuel Remington visited Dyer in Washington and that one of the subjects of

their discussions concerned the alterations, but unfortunately we will never be privy to their

conversation. Remington apparently had some serious misgivings about altering the revolvers,

which had sufficient merit that the subject never resurfaced. I have made a thorough search of

the records; however, the letter above is the last piece of available correspondence located on this

subject. The four pistols mentioned in the previous letter were probably various models of the

single-shot pistol that Remington was developing for the department.

None of the revolvers listed as Remington’s No. 2 through 5 in the St. Louis Trials Board’s

notes has, to date, been identified. From previous correspondence, I have gathered that they

would have chambered the Martin .44 caliber cartridge. Beyond that, I can only speculate as to

their features and appearance. A loading gate would have been a requisite, as well as a cartridge

ejector other than the pattern found on revolvers Remington altered for the commercial market.

No Colt revolvers had been submitted to the trials board, as this firm had encountered dif-

ficulties in designing a revolver acceptable to the Ordnance Department. Colt had submitted an

example of a design by F. Alexander Thuer to the department in 1868. The revolver was based on

the Model 1860 Colt Army, and Thuer’s design was an evasion of Rollin White’s patent, as the

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 129Martin cartridgesfor Smith & WessonArmy Revolver.(Author’s collection)

cartridges loaded from the front of the cylinder (figure 130). Although White’s patent would

soon expire (in 1869), Colt’s continuing development of Thuer’s patent at this late date suggests

that revolver manufacturers still had some fears that White would be successful in seeking an

extension of his patent. An Ordnance Department Class 6 (Small Arms) report on the revolver

was very critical of both the design and the ammunition; this led the Colt firm to seek alterna-

tives. Colt produced and marketed some Thuer alterations to the private sector; these are now

rare and desirable specimens for the Colt collector.

By January 1871, Charles B. Richards, a Colt employee, had developed a working model of a

new alteration. Although Richards’s design was not patented until some six months later (figure

131), Gen. W. B. Franklin, of Colt, submitted a prototype to Dyer, advising him that Colt would

alter the army’s revolvers on the same plan, at the rate of $3.50 per arm. Dyer forwarded the

revolver to Springfield for evaluation, and although I have not located the report that was

returned with the arm, details gathered from later correspondence indicate the report was crit-

ical of certain aspects. For example, there were no safety notches, and the revolver still retained

the original rear sight, located on the hammer of the percussion revolvers.

On January 31, Dyer sent the following letter to Franklin:

253

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Figure 130F. A. Thuer’s patent, number 82,258.(Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

Your letter of the 26th instant, proposing to alter Colt’s Army Pistols for Metallic

Cartridges according to a model submitted herewith to this Bureau has been received, and

with the sanction of the Secretary of War, I hereby give you an order to alter one thou-

sand Army Colt’s Revolvers accordingly.

The pistols which require cleaning and repairing to be cleaned and repaired by your

company and the actual cost of doing this work to be paid for by this Department.

The pistols to be inspected by a sample to be furnished to this Bureau by your com-

pany and to be sealed at this office prior to its acceptance, as standard sample.

The pistols to be boxed; the necessary boxes to be furnished by your company at

their actual cost. Some pistols have been ordered to be sent to you from the Springfield

Armory, and the residue will be sent from other Arsenals. Of those sent from

Springfield, fifty have a special safety notch which this department desires to have spe-

cially tested, and you will please have these pistols packed separately from the others,

and marked “Locke’s” Attachment.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 131C. B. Richards’s patent, number117,461. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

Please advise this office of your acceptance of this offer, and state when you will

deliver the pistols.21

Franklin responded on February 2:

Your letter of the 31st ult. has been received.

This Company accepts the offer therein contained, and will deliver the pistols in

four months.

We presume that the sample to which you refer, is to be made from one of the thou-

sand to be sent here. We will therefore furnish it as soon after they arrive as possible.

We will be glad to have a copy of Maj. Maginnis’ report on the pistol.22

Events were to prove Franklin overly optimistic about the time required to alter the revolvers.

The first lot of five hundred was not shipped to the Springfield Armory until August 18; the sec-

ond lot of five hundred was delivered in early October (figure 132).

After accepting Franklin’s alteration proposal, Dyer ordered revolvers to be forwarded to Colt

from several arsenals and agencies. He did not notify Benton of these shipments until April 21:

Sir:

I transmit herewith for your information and guidance, a copy of an order given to the

Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Co., Hartford, Ct. for the alteration of Colt’s Army pistols to use

the Metallic Cartridge. The order having been accepted by them, you are charged with the

inspection of the pistols.

A sample will be sent to you for your guidance when approved by this Office.

Colt’s Army N.M. Revolvers have been sent to them from the following posts, Viz:

255

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Figure 132Colt 1860 Army Revolver altered to cartridge using Richards’s patent. (Courtesy: Charles Pate photograph,Springfield Armory Museum Collection)

Springfield Armory, Mass. 513

Washington Arsenal, D.C. 28

West Point Mil. Academy, N.Y. 90

Ordnance Agency, N.Y. 10

St. Louis Arsenal, Mo. 8

Leavenworth Arsenal, Kans. 377

Augusta Arsenal, Ga. 127

Total 1153

which with the fifty, to which you were directed to apply the Locke safety notch Jany. 31,

1871, will make 1203.

The usual Certificates of inspection and receipt will be given. A supply of blanks

therefore have been sent you this day.

A. B. Dyer, Chief of Ordnance23

The Locke safety notch seems to have had a special significance to Dyer. I shall let Benton

describe this modification in a quote from his report to Dyer on June 8, 1870: “Mr. N. O. Locke’s

device consists of a small lug on the short arm of the sear which fits a square notch cut in the

tumbler forward of the half cock notch, so arranged that when the hammer is down it is pre-

vented from resting on the firing pin or cap, and cannot be moved in either direction without

pressing the trigger hard enough to throw the lug out of the safety notch.”24 Locke’s device later

evolved into the safety notch found on the hammer of revolvers such as the Colt Single Action

and late production Remington 1875 cartridge models.

Franklin made a personal visit to the Springfield Armory later in the month, evidently to discuss

some of the finer points concerning the alterations. Benton made a report to Dyer later that day.

Unfortunately, I have located only the first page of this correspondence, which is very informative:

Feb. 13, 1871

Gen’l. Franklin visited the Armory today, and after consulting, we have come to the con-

clusion that the same cartridge cannot be made for use in the Smith & Wesson & the Colt

Army pistols, without making a new hand and cylinder for the Colts which shall have less

diameter of bore. It is thought that it would not be practicable to ream up the bore of the

Smith & Wesson pistol to that of the Colt pistol, for the reason that it would diminish the

strength of the retractor.25

After some discussion, it was evidently agreed that the department had no options but to

acknowledge that the Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers would require different size cartridges.

On the first of March, Benton sent the following to Franklin:

Gen’l. Dyer desires an altered revolver to test the cartridges to be made at the Frankford

Arsenal. Will the one you lately sent to me answer, in your opinion, for this purpose?26

I have not located a reply to this inquiry.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Franklin reported on the progress of the model revolver in early March:

March 7, 1871

General

The subject of the safety notch in the altered Army pistol had already been gone into by us

since our attention was called to it by Capt. Maginnis’ report, and we think that we have

devised something practical. The extra notch in the hammer will not answer, because it

would come just by a pin which goes through the hammer, and would be therefore very

weak. We have made a slot in the cylinder, between every two slots already there, so that

the cylinder can be locked when the firing-pin lies between any two cartridges.

The pistol can in this way be carried just as the old pistol was, with the hammer rest-

ing between two chambers, the cylinder at the same time locked.

When we get another model made, we will send it to you.27

Franklin’s safety notch solution proved to be impractical. Unless the revolver action was criti-

cally tuned, it was found that if the cylinder stop should fall prematurely, it would engage the

extra stop and lock the cylinder. This plan was evidently vetoed by the Ordnance Department

and also abandoned by Colt, but not before some revolvers for the commercial market were

altered with this feature. This has created a rare and desirable twelve-cylinder stop variation of

the Richards’s alteration and has also led to some fakery, as the original six-stop cylinders can be

easily altered by a skilled machinist.

By the end of March, some of the army’s percussion revolvers had arrived at the Colt fac-

tory, and Franklin made another report to Dyer:

March 31, 1871

In cleaning the barrels of the Army pistols which we are altering to breech loaders for the

United States we find many in which the bore is so rusted that we think it may be well to

replace them with new barrels. We will if you wish use our own discretion in the matter,

or you might have them inspected, and the inspector can determine the number to be con-

demned. We will be glad to hear from you on the subject.28

This letter commenced a series of events that was to prove very costly for the department.

Some of the correspondence relating to this episode has not been located, but there is sufficient

information available to piece the story together. Dyer had ordered 1,203 revolvers to be forwarded

from various arsenals to the Colt factory. His intent was for Colt to cull the best of these to make

up the one thousand for alteration, using the remainder for parts. Lack of communication would

result in 1,126 of the army’s revolvers being altered and delivered to the Springfield Armory.

The model revolver being prepared by Colt was not finished until the end of May and was

forwarded to Dyer with an enlightening letter:

May 26, 1871

I have caused to be sent you by express today the sample altered Army pistol.

257

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

There are some points of difference between it and the pistol of the same kind exhib-

ited to you in the winter.

1st. The hand or pawl has two notches in it instead of being in two pieces.

2nd. The extractor case is shorter, and is so arranged that the extractor is made to lie

with its handle close to the barrel, without any care on the part of the soldier.

3rd. The new breech piece is case hardened, the rear sight forms one piece with it, and

the inside of the gate which exposes the rear of the chambers is not roughened.

We are ready for the inspection of this work now.

W. B. Franklin29

The arrival of the model revolver at the Ordnance Department generated the only Class 6

report known to be personally executed by the chief of ordnance:

REPORTS ON SMALL ARMS (CLASS 6.)

Memo: Report on Model Altered Colts Revolver sent by Colts Arms

Received at Ordnance Office

June 7th 1871

The revolver was examined and found to receive freely the sample Martin cartridge made

at Springfield and Frankford.

It was then fired Sixty rounds.

24 rounds of Springfield and 36 rounds of Frankford ammunition without cleaning.

The cartridges cases were frequently examined as they were ejected and no signs of

weakness in any respect discovered.

The ammunition, both Springfield and Frankford, appeared to be of excellent manu-

facture, and no failure of ignition occurred.

A slight modification of the slotting in the recoil block has been made in order to

facilitate the more ready ejection of the empty cartridge cases.

It was observed that some nicety was required in bringing the chamber in coincidence

with the slot for the purpose of ejection.

This arose from the interior smallness of this slot; and to obviate it to a measure, the

inner end of the ledge on which the gate closes was filed off in a line toward the axis of the

cylinder, so as to present an oblique surface to the cases as they were forced from the

chambers instead of the square end as it previously existed.

This oblique surface serves mechanically to revolve the cylinder to a point where ready ejection

can be accomplished in cases where the shells would otherwise have struck against its square end.

It would be well if counter-modifications were made on the gate so as to fill up the

space occasioned by the filing off of the ledge as above described.

Several sharp edges were found still to exist in this model pistol and they have all

been rounded off at this office.

A. B. Dyer

Chief of Ordnance

Official copy for the information of the Commanding officer of the Springfield Armory.30

258

CHAPTER EIGHT

This report was also sent to Franklin, and after all the details had been worked out to Dyer’s sat-

isfaction, the alteration work began. Colt advised Benton of the first shipment on August 18, 1871:

Dear Sir:

We have forwarded to your address by rail this P.M.

Ten boxes containing 500 Army Revolvers altered to B/L with sundry parts, and

enclose R.R. receipt for same.

Lewis Sheldon31

An additional five hundred revolvers were shipped to the Springfield Armory in the first

week of October. On October 26, Colt billed the department for the entire one thousand.

Dear Sir:

Herewith please find invoices in duplicate for altering 1000 Army Revolvers to Breech

Loading Revolvers together with new parts furnished for same. The bills have been duly

signed and approved by the Inspector. Please direct that this amount be remitted to us in

due course and oblige.

Hugh Harbison, Treasurer32

The invoice accompanying Harbison’s letter listed all of the expenses associated with the alteration:

Altering 1000 N.M. Revolvers to B.L. Revolvers @ $ 3.50 $ 3500.00

Cleaning 950 N.M. Revolvers .10 95.00

$ 3595.00

Parts furnished to complete the above.

95 N.M.A. Frames 2.50 $ 237.50

239 “ “ “ Barrels 4.60 1099.40

49 “ “ “ Guards .98 48.02

49 “ “ “ Straps .86 42.14

8400 “ “ “ Screws 1.20/C 100.80

150 “ “ “ Triggers .11 16.50

61 “ “ “ Hammers .37 22.57

37 “ “ “ Mainsprings .20 7.40

550 “ “ “ Searsprings .04 22.00

178 “ “ “ Bolts .14 24.92

950 “ “ “ Keys .14 133.00

950 “ “ “ Stocks .86 817.00

950 “ “ “ Cylinders 2.62 2489.00

$ 5060.25

Extra parts furnished with the order.

100 N.M.A. Double Hands $ .13 $ 13.00

100 “ “ “ Eject. R. Springs .05 5.00

259

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

200 “ “ “ Firing Pins .045 9.00

200 “ “ “ Firing Pin Nuts .04 8.00

200 “ “ “ Firing Pin Springs .07 14.00

100 “ “ “ Latch Catches .006 .60

1000 “ “ “ Screwdrivers .22 220.00

50 “ “ “ Mainsprings .20 10.00

50 “ “ “ Trig./Bolt Springs. 1.20/C .60

20 Packing Boxes 4.37 87.40

$ 367.60

$ 9022.8533

The revolvers had either been in very bad condition when delivered to Colt, or Franklin had

taken advantage of the situation. There were some mitigating factors to increase the bid price of

$3.50 originally quoted by Franklin. It was Franklin’s intent to re-bore and use the original per-

cussion cylinders when the bid was proffered. Tests with cartridges produced at the Frankford

Arsenal had revealed that after the cylinders were bored out to accommodate the Martin metal-

lic cartridges, the metal at the locking notches was so thin that it was prone to breakage. This

mandated the use of new cylinders, with the rebated portion made slightly larger in circumfer-

ence to surmount the problem. This would have materially increased the bid price.

However, from the parts list, it appears that Colt could have created some entirely new

revolvers, as every conceivable part used in revolver manufacture is charged to the expense of alter-

ation. The average price per alteration was about $9.65 per revolver, but the sum total of all the

parts used in these alterations, including the milling of the frame and the new breech plate and

ejector housing, comes to slightly more than $17.00. Considering that the Ordnance Department

had recently taken delivery of one thousand new Smith & Wesson .44 cartridge revolvers at $14.25

each, the accumulated price of $17.00 for an altered percussion revolver seems exorbitant.

Once the revolvers had been delivered and remittance made, this transaction should have been

complete. But such was not the case, as Colt delivered another lot of altered revolvers to the Springfield

Armory in early December. Franklin advised Benton of the shipment on December 6, 1871:

The remainder of the pistols sent here for alteration were sent to you by rail this morning.

Fifty of them are what were sent from Springfield with the locks altered, the triggers

and hammers were taken from these and placed in fifty others.

Fifty are altered and inspected.

Seventy six are altered but not inspected.

The above list accounts for 176 pistols, leaving 27 which could not be got together.

As the 126 were altered in good faith, and with the impression that all that were sent

here were sent for alteration. We will be glad if the Dept. will pay us for them at the con-

tract rates, and request that you will present the case to it.34

Franklin’s letter is rather vague concerning the revolvers with Locke’s attachment. After study-

ing his statements several times, it appears that the hammer and triggers (the two components of

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Locke’s device) were removed from the original revolvers and placed in revolvers that had been

included in one of the shipments of altered revolvers. These 50 revolvers were then returned, still

in percussion form, along with 126 revolvers that had been altered.

I have made a point of inquiring of Colt collectors if any of these alterations are known to

have Locke’s device, and all reports are negative. As the working parts (trigger and base of the

hammer) of this system would be concealed within the frame, it is possible that it has not come

to the attention of a present owner.

It appears that someone had erred while the original negotiations were in progress. The 203

extra revolvers, which had been shipped to the factory for parts, had not been used for this pur-

pose. I have concluded that when they arrived at the factory, someone assumed that they were

also to be altered for the department, and the work had progressed to the point that 126

revolvers, over and above those ordered by Dyer, had been altered. To add insult to injury, the

invoice for these 126 alterations came to the staggering sum of $1,273.84; this averages to $10.11

per arm. For a few dollars more, the department could have had new Smith & Wessons!

Benton sent Franklin’s statement to Dyer on December 19:

I enclose herewith an account of the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Co. for altering 126 Army

revolvers to use the metallic cartridge.

These revolvers are over and above the one thousand already received from this com-

pany. It seems from Genl. Franklins letter, which is enclosed with the account, that the

work was done in good faith, under the supposition that all the revolvers sent to him from

the different Arsenals and this place were to be altered. The entire lot of 126 pistols have

been inspected by the Government Sub-Inspector, fifty of them before they left Hartford

and seventy six since received here.

The last named have not been stamped—but with the exception of a few minor parts

are fit to be received by the Government.

It will be seen that 27 of the whole number sent to Hartford (1203) had to be con-

demned for defects which rendered them unfit for alteration.

The account is submitted for your consideration.35

Franklin’s account read as follows:

Altering 126 Army Pistols to B.L. Revolvers @ $ 3.50 $ 441.00

Spare parts for the above.

35 N.M. Lock Frames @ 2.50 87.50

51 “ “ Barrels @ 4.60 234.60

10 “ “ Guards @ .98 9.80

10 “ “ Straps @ .86 8.60

126 “ “ Keys @ .14 17.64

126 “ “ Cylinders @ 2.62 330.12

126 “ “ Stocks @ .86 108.36

126 “ “ Screwdrivers @ .22 27.22

261

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

12 Packing Boxes @ .71

8.52

$ 1273.8636

Dyer’s response to this news has not been located, but he evidently agreed to accept the

revolvers, and on December 27, Benton made out the inspection report, which was also signed

by O. W. Ainsworth, a civilian employee of the armory who was frequently assigned as sub-

inspector of contract arms (figure 133). Maj. Edward Ingersoll received the revolvers into the

armory’s inventory two days later.

Although it appears that Samuel Remington had informed Dyer in January that his firm had

no desire to pursue the course of alteration suggested by the trials board, Dyer evidently still had

plans for altering some of the army’s Remingtons. Later correspondence and reports lend cred-

ibility to this theory:

March 6/71

Chief of Ordnance

Sir:

I have to report that on the 4th inst, I issued agreeable to your instructions, the following

articles to Major Treadwell Comg. Frankford Arsenal, viz:

1 Smith & Wesson Revolver (trial)

1 Colts Army do Altered

1 Remington do do

100 Martin’s cartridges for Smith & Wesson Revolver

100 do do For Colt’s and Remington Revolver

J. G. Benton37

Some three months later, Treadwell, at the Frankford Arsenal, made an illuminating report

on altered revolvers and the ammunition being developed for them:

REPORTS ON SMALL ARMS, (CLASS 6.)

Report on Colt’s and Remington’s Revolvers altered for Metallic Ammunition made by

Major T. J. Treadwell at Frankford Arsenal

Frankford Arsenal

June 9th 1871

Maj. Gen’l. A. B. Dyer

General:

I have the honor to submit the following points in regard to the Colt’s and Remington’s

revolvers that have suggested themselves to me in recent trials at this Arsenal, of car-

tridges made here for those Pistols, and which have been raised in trial of the two sample

pistols sent from the Springfield Armory. I find that the chambers of the Colt and

Remington revolvers are not alike, and that two of the chambers of the Remington

revolvers are a little smaller than the other four, so that some of the cartridges that go

262

CHAPTER EIGHT

readily into the Colt, will not go into the chambers of the Remington revolver, but project

slightly, enough to prevent the revolution of the cylinder. Both pistols were sent to the fac-

tory, but it seems that the Colt was used in the daily trials of cartridges, and the reports

were all favorable as to its working.

My attention was constantly directed to the securing of a proper composition of pellet

of priming composition to secure certainty of fire and to prevent burning of the composi-

tion in priming, and many experiments were made to this end.

It is only within the last days that the differences referred to have been called to

my attention.

The small limits of variation of this particular cartridge have given us much trou-

ble in its manufacture, and the development of the fact that some of the cartridges will

go readily enough in the Colt, and not in the Remington, has convinced me that it is of

the utmost and vital importance that the chambers of these two revolvers should be of

263

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Figure 133Ordnance Department inspection certifi-cate for altered Colt revolvers. (CourtesyNational Archives)

uniform dimensions, and that the space between the rear face of the cylinder and

the face of the recoil block should be the same in both.

If the old cylinders are to be used in making up the breech loading revolvers for

service trial, the two points above noticed cannot be too strongly impressed upon

the Inspectors.

There is generally a trifle of variation in the thickness of a lot of copper, and some-

times even in portions of the same strip, and in making cartridges by the thousand there

are small variations in the exterior dimensions of the cartridge cases, due to the wear of

the disc &c; and these notwithstanding the greatest care and inspection.

The chamber dimensions should therefore be as fixed and invariable as it is possible

to make them.

Moreover, the old cylinders of the Colt and Remington revolvers were chambered for a

flexible ammunition, loading at the front, and the ball pressed home.

We now propose to alter them to breech loading revolvers, using an inflexible ammu-

nition, and it is patent that no such cartridge will answer in the two pistols in question,

or either of them, unless their chambers are uniform in dimensions; and this remark

applies to all chambers of breech loading arms for Metallic ammunition.

As there was no necessity for this nicety with the old paper, linen and skin cartridges,

I presume the inspection of the chambers of the cylinders was not very close and we may

expect considerable variations in them.

The model of the altered Colt revolver we have here is one with the rear of the cylin-

der reduced, and, in boring the chambers through the cone seats, only a very thin film of

metal is left at the stop recess, in fact, in the revolver before me, one chamber is quite

through and all could be easily punched with a sharp point; this model of cylinder will

not answer for the alteration, only full sized or new cylinders should be used.

I would suggest that in future several sample Arms may be sent me for trial and

manufacture of cartridges in all cases; that a more complete and thorough trial may be

had, to insure uniformity, and because the constant use of a single arm in the daily trial

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 134Frankford Arsenal car-tridges for Colt andRemington revolvers.(Author’s collection)

in the manufacture, gives rise to some wear, where thousands of rounds are required to be

fired to keep trace of and check small variations in each days work.

T. J. Treadwell, Major of Ord.

Ordnance office, June 12, 1871

Official copy for the information of the Commanding Officer of Springfield Armory.

S. V. Benet, Maj. Of Ord.38

The development and manufacture of cartridges for the altered revolvers, as described in

Treadwell’s report, also supports my theory that the department still had plans to either acquire

or alter some Remington revolvers. Treadwell clearly stated that Colts and Remingtons were to

chamber the same cartridge. The cartridges being manufactured for these arms required pack-

aging, and the labels identifying the contents were, no doubt, approved by Dyer. The label on an

1872 box reads “12 Cartridges for Colt’s & Remington’s Revolvers” (figure 134).

This has created an enigma for collectors, and there are some who are still searching for

the Remington service revolvers that will chamber the Ordnance Department rounds. To add

to this confusion, there are published reports from this period praising the Ordnance

Department’s “improved Remington revolvers,” while condemning the “old Models.” Some

researchers have assumed that the “improved Models” were altered metallic cartridge

revolvers. After exhaustive research of Remington Army and Navy revolvers, I feel safe in stat-

ing that the “improved Models” were percussion New Model Armies and the “old Models”

were Elliot or 1861 Armies, which had been condemned at the end of 1862. I believe this puz-

zle is now solved.

Sometime in the latter part of the year, Dyer apparently abandoned any plans for altering

Remington revolvers. He may have concluded, considering the receipts for the altered Colts, that

it was not cost effective. The 1,126 Colt Armies were the only percussion revolvers altered for the

use of metallic cartridges for use by the U.S. Army.

REMINGTON NAVY REVOLVER ALTERATIONS

Although Remington had pursued plans for altering their percussion army model revolvers as

early as 1865, it appears that little thought was given to the navy models until 1871. I have tried

to establish a date for the introduction of the navy cartridge revolvers and have narrowed this to

a sixteen-month period between August 1871 and January 1873. In August 1871, Remington

mailed the following request to the Ordnance Department:

E. Remington & Sons New York Office

W. C. Squire, Secretary

193 Broadway, New York, Aug. 8, 1871

General,

We left with you some time since one of our revolvers altered for the metallic cartridge on

the plan shown in the accompanying sketch. Having occasion to use this sample within a

time not permitting us to make another we have to request that it be returned to us.

265

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Please answer by telegram.

W. S. Smoot

This pistol was in the case at the southeast corner of the museum. Forward it to our New

York Office, No. 193 Broadway.39

This matter seems to have been extremely urgent to Remington, for on the following morn-

ing they also sent a telegram containing the same request. Maj. Stephen V. Benet, who was now

Dyer’s assistant at the department, responded by telegraph later in the day:

Referring to the telegram of this date I have to state that being uncertain as to the partic-

ular pistol desired by you, I have sent the only two of your altered revolvers that were in

this Bureau, except those that were before the St. Louis Board.40

An illustration extracted from an advertising broadside depicting the Remington New

Model Army Revolver with modifications penciled in had been enclosed with Smoot’s letter, but

this had not yet arrived (figure 135).

The revolvers arrived at Remington’s New York office on the tenth, and on that same day, the

company notified Benet of their receipt:

The pistols spoken of in your esteemed favor of the 9th came to hand.

We return one, this day by Express, not being the property of our company.

The samples for the St. Louis Board, you still retain for satisfactory reasons. They can

remain if necessary.

Thanking you for responding so promptly.41

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Figure 135Remington catalog page sent to Ordnance Department requesting return of altered revolver.(Courtesy: National Archives)

All the features later used on the navy cartridge models were sketched onto the illustration

sent to the department, and a brief description was also penned into the margins. This alteration

was evidently a one-of-a-kind prototype; otherwise, the request for its return would have been

unnecessary. Remington’s interest in altering their navy revolvers was probably fueled by the fact

that they had a large stock of unsold percussion navy revolvers. A study of serial numbers indi-

cates that less than five thousand of this model had been sold since the last delivery to the navy

near the war’s end. Both the military and public were now showing an interest in the larger cal-

iber metallic cartridge revolvers, and the firm saw an opportunity to dispose of their dust col-

lecting inventory. Although I speculated earlier about the date these revolvers first appeared on

the market, I sense that it more likely occurred within a short period after Remington requested

the return of the sample revolver cited previously.

From all available evidence, it appears the firm made a good decision. Serial numbers indicate

that navy alterations began in the 36,000-serial-number range and continued until approximately

42,000. When the stock of percussion revolvers was exhausted, Remington resumed manufacture

of the revolver and produced approximately six thousand additional Navies. However, these were

manufactured as cartridge models with serial numbers reaching into the 48,000 range.

The alterations can be identified by Remington’s practice of stamping assembly numbers on

the original percussion revolvers as they were disassembled in preparation for the various

milling operations necessary for modification. This assured that when a revolver was reassem-

bled, the original major parts could be identified. New parts used in the alteration were stamped

with the same number when the revolver was reassembled. These numbers were stamped: one,

on the bottom of the barrel; two, on the left side of the grip frame strap; three, on the rear of the

breech plate assembly; four, on the rear of the ejector housing; five, on the left rear side of the

loading lever; and six, usually on the top flat of the trigger guard tab (figure 136). I have exam-

ined several of the navy alterations performed for the navy’s Bureau of Ordnance that have new

trigger guards that were installed at the time of alteration. These usually will have no numbers.

Assembly numbers were unnecessary on the newly manufactured cartridge revolvers.

As introduced, the Remington navy alterations were chambered for the .38 caliber rim fire

cartridge. When the Bureau of Ordnance became interested in altering some of the navy’s per-

cussion revolvers to metallic cartridge in 1873, the Union Metallic Cartridge Company developed

the same cartridge to use a center fire primer, and shortly thereafter, Remington started offering

their revolvers chambered for this cartridge. A large percentage of the commercial revolvers were

rim fire, which is most commonly encountered today. The rim fire variation can be identified

easily by the twelve notches at the rear of the cylinder for the hammer nose, although I have

examined some center fire specimens in which the factory has installed a rim fire cylinder. This

does not pose a problem, but if the situation were reversed, that is, a center fire cylinder in a rim

fire revolver, the revolver could not be fired because the hammer nose would not reach the

primer of the cartridge.

The Army and Navy Journal was a weekly New York publication devoted to military inter-

ests. The issue of January 25, 1873, devoted the entire front page to an article and illustration of

the “Remington Navy Revolver, with ejector; adapted to cartridges” (figure 137). There are many

factual errors in this report, which I present verbatim:

267

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

The accompanying cut presents a full-size view of a recent modification of the well-known

and approved Remington Navy Revolver. Of this pistol, which for years has been the rec-

ognized weapon in the U.S. Navy, more than a hundred thousand have been sold previ-

ously to the introduction of metallic ammunition. A very convenient and effective

improvement, suggested by the change from loose powder and ball to brass or copper-shell

charges, was made two or three years since. In this type two cylinders, easily transferable,

were provided, the one adapted to loose and the other to metallic ammunition; so that, in

the possible default of his cartridge supply, the possessor of a “Remington Navy” could

have recourse to powder and ball in their original shapes. The popularity of this improve-

ment has been very great. Cartridges, however, having now become as universal an item

in stock as were their antecedent staples, the age of progress demands a further step—this

time in the manual convenience of the pistol. The present modification, as is obvious from

the cut, refers to the expulsion of the discharged shell.

In this new type of the Navy, the proportions and calibre of the favorite old arm are

preserved. The process of shell expulsion is performed by hand, through the always certain

and easy operation of a rod, so secured in its socket as never to be lost. Simple directions

for manipulation are as follows:

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 136Location of alter-ation numbers onRemington NavyRevolver, serial number 21,406.(Author’s collection)

To Load—“Grasp the stock with the left hand, half cocking; open the shield at the

base of the cylinder with the thumb of the right hand and insert the cartridges, rotating

the cylinder for that purpose with the thumb of the left hand. Close the shield.”

To Remove Shells—“Half-cocking with same grasp as in the former operation, throw

open the shield; with the right hand disengage the ejecting rod by dropping the lever

which secures it in place. Then, rotating the cylinder as before, the downward plunge of

the rod quickly thrusts out the shells. The arm, in a loaded condition, should be carried

with the nose of the hammer engaged in a safety notch between the two cartridges.”

The distinctive merits of this expedient are of a practicable nature, the only possible

objection to it being credited to the casuistry which is apt to depreciate an operation on

account of its simplicity. With a very little practice the natural manipulation of this easily

arranged plunger expels the discharged shells as promptly as the most exactly made auto-

matic ejector, and it will bear all kinds of usage without getting out of order, while experi-

ence shows that the elaborate mechanism of the latter device is not adequately strong for

rough treatment. The addition of the shield at the rear of the cylinder furnishes both a

269

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

Figure 137Army & Navy Journal, January 25,1873. (Courtesy: Jay Huber)

270

CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 138Altered Remington cylin-ders. On left, navy revolvercylinder as modified by theBureau of Ordnance.Center and right are navyand army cylinders as fur-nished by the Remingtonfirm. (Author’s collection)

Figure 140Page from 1889 Hartley & Graham catalog.(Author’s collection)

Figure 139Remington Navy Revolver altered to .38 rim fire caliber for the commercial market. (Author’s collection)

prevention against the escape of cartridges of the occasional small gauge, and at the

same time provides an extra resistance base at the moment of discharge—which is

not without decided value.

The Remington Navy Revolver in its design is perhaps the strongest weapon of

its type, having no hinges, as its frame is constituted of a single piece of metal. The

present improvement, it is worth noting, has been secured without deviating from the

original strength or simplicity of the arm, so that it is now especially available for

military purposes. Being a most excellent shooter and of the same chambering as the

.38 rifle—a popular calibre, it is especially adapted to target practice.42

The author of this report seems to have confused the navy model with the Remington

Army alteration introduced some five years prior. The statement that the Remington Navy

was the recognized weapon of the U.S. Navy is only partially true, as the navy had pur-

chased almost equal numbers of Remington, Whitney, and Colt percussion revolvers. This

article also reports that more than one hundred thousand Remington Navies had been

produced. Actually, total production of all navy models, including the cartridge varia-

tions, never exceeded fifty thousand. Further, the suggestion that this revolver was

adapted to use both a cartridge and a percussion cylinder is erroneous. The Remington

Army alteration was offered with both cylinders (see figure 120). However, the manner in

which the thick recoil shield and loading gate assembly were adapted to the frame of the

navy revolver makes it impossible to insert a standard percussion cylinder into the frame

(figures 138 and 139).

The cartridge Remington Navy Revolvers remained on the market for much of the

1870s, and after the Remington firm declared bankruptcy in 1886, some of the altered navy

revolvers were still in stock and were offered at discount prices in Lamberson, Furman &

Company’s 1888 catalog and also in Hartley & Graham’s 1889 catalog (figure 140).

In summation, Remington manufactured about forty-eight thousand navy revolvers.

Approximately fifteen thousand were percussion Beals models, five thousand were percus-

sion Elliot or 1861 models, and twenty-two thousand were percussion New Models.

Remington altered about six thousand of the percussion New Models and manufactured

an additional six thousand New Models as cartridge revolvers. These figures account for

the relative scarcity of percussion navy models in comparison to Remington’s army mod-

els. Remington produced about 148,000 army models, less than 2,000 were Beals models,

about 10,000 were Elliot or 1861 models, and the remainder were New Models. It is impos-

sible to determine how many altered Armies Remington produced, because these revolvers

were made from either previously condemned revolvers or from reacquisitions from the

military; serial numbers on these revolvers are scattered throughout the New Model pro-

duction range.

A brief comment is warranted on the feasibility of private parties returning revolvers

to Remington for alteration. Based on Remington’s later comments to the Bureau of

Ordnance, there seems to be little chance that this ever occurred. In 1875 Remington

offered to alter one thousand revolvers for the navy at a price of $3.50 each, and if the navy

271

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS

desired them restocked and refinished, there would be an additional charge of $.75.

Considering the involved process of setting up machinery for alteration, it is unlikely that

Remington would do this on a piecemeal basis, and in the unlikely event that they did

agree to do so, the price would have been prohibitive.

I will next discuss Remington’s alteration of the navy’s percussion revolvers.

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CHAPTER EIGHT

Figure 141Remington Armory, circa 1875. (Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

CHAPTER NINE

Metallic Cartridge

Alterations for

the Bureau of Ordnance

In this chapter I shall examine the postwar fate of the Remington percussion revolvers that the

navy purchased during the Civil War. To do justice to this story, I must also examine the Bureau

of Ordnance’s relations with the Colt Patent Fire Arms Company during this same period. For a

complete postwar history of the Colt-Navy relationship, I recommend Colt Revolvers and the U.S.

Navy, 1865–1889 by author-researcher C. Kenneth Moore.1

In 1873 Rear Adm. A. Ludlow Case, chief of the bureau, took notice of the recent introduction

of large caliber cartridge revolvers by Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Remington. His interest was prob-

ably piqued by the article that appeared in the January 25 edition of the Army and Navy Journal, dis-

cussed in the previous chapter. On February 19, he sent the following letter to each company:

Sirs:

The Bureau is desirous of examining the most recent and improved revolver that you are

making to use metallic ammunition and will be much obliged if you will forward one at

your earliest convenience, with bill for it.2

Remington responded to this inquiry three days later:

Sir,

In reply to the Bureau’s letter of Feby. 19, 1873, requesting us to send a sample of our most

improved revolver for metallic cartridges.

We send on such as we now have, but we contemplate getting up another, which we

can send in the course of say two months.

If the Bureau desires to compare the several different kinds of revolvers, we should prefer

to submit an entirely new model.3

The new model revolver referred to in this letter has not been identified. I am not aware of

any large caliber Remington cartridge revolver then under development. Remington would not

introduce their Model 1875 Revolver until late the following year.

273

An entry in the bureau’s “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment,” dated February 22,

1873, recorded payment for “one Remington Navy Revolver $15.”4 This revolver was based on the

wartime percussion revolver. The frame had been redesigned to accept a rim fire .38 caliber

metallic cartridge cylinder and a breech plate with a hinged loading gate. An ejector rod with

housing and a newly designed hammer nose, capable of discharging a rim fire cartridge, com-

pleted the new design (figure 142).

Gen. W. B. Franklin, vice president and general agent for the Colt firm, responded to the

bureau on February 21:

Admiral,

Your letter of the 19th inst ordering our most recent & improved revolver has been received.

Unfortunately they are in such condition that they will not be ready for a fortnight, at

which time one will be sent you. Do you, or do you not require ammunition for it?

In the mean time if you wish, we can send you one of our Army rev’g pistols altered

to take a central-fire met. cartridge. Twelve hundred of them are now in use in the

Cavalry Service, and we hear excellent reports from them.

But we will send the other in a fortnight.5

Colt was in the process of developing the large frame single-action revolver that would later

be synonymous with the Colt name. Colt had started development on this latter arm in 1872, and

when the previous letter was written, it was near completion. Franklin forwarded a model of this

revolver to the bureau on March 7.

Smith and Wesson responded to the bureau’s request on February 24:

Dear Sir:

In compliance with your request of the 19th inst. we forward to you today by express an

army revolver of our latest pattern. Knowing that a shorter pistol is usually considered

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CHAPTER NINE

Figure 142Remington New Model Navy Revolver altered to .38 rim fire. (Author’s collection)

better for the Navy, than that required by the Army, we have taken the liberty to send also

an extra one, one inch shorter than the army pistol.6

This letter was initialed by Walter H. Wesson, eldest son of D. B. Wesson, the cofounder of

the firm. By mid-March, Case had all three revolvers in hand, and on March 12 he ordered car-

tridges, sending identical letters to all three manufacturers:

Sirs:—

Please furnish this Bureau with 1,000 metallic ball-cartridges for the revolver of your

manufacture recently forwarded in compliance with its order of 19th Feb. 1873.7

The bureau’s ledger, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment,” has an entry for March 14,

1873, to the credit of the Remington firm for “1,000 cartridges, 38 Cal. short.” The Colt firm

responded to the request by telegraph on March 14, stating: “Colonel Benton writes you can get

pistol cartridges at Frankford by applying to Ordnance Department.”8

Remington replied on March 17:

Sir,

We have the honor to enclose invoices and bills lading for cartridges forwarded to the

Bureau in execution of order of 12th Mch. 1873, and for parts of the Navy pistol forwarded

to the New York Navy Yard in execution of order 13th Mch. 1873. In reference to the

Remington revolver furnished the Bureau upon its order of 19th Feby. 1873—the price

charged is the regular price for a single pistol; but should the Bureau order a quantity of

the pistols, we could make a discount depending upon the quantity ordered.9

Examination and testing of the three revolvers was not completed until the following

month. On April 10, ordnance inspectors forwarded the following endorsement to Case:

Admiral:

In obedience to your order we have examined the three (3) best known revolvers adapted

for the use of metallic-cartridges—viz:

Smith and Wesson’s—Colt’s and Remington’s—and do report in favor of Smith

and Wesson’s for its cheapness, facility of loading, and excellent system of extracting the

empty shells.

Seven hundred (700) rounds were fired from the Smith and Wesson’s without

the slightest disorder which would seem to warrant the necessary perfection in

the mechanism.

We do recommend that these pistols if adopted for the Navy be nickel plated which

can be done at an additional expense of about one dollar ($1.00) per pistol.

We are Sir, Your Obedient Servants

J. Nuek, Commander U.S.N.

Frank Pearson, Lt. Commander U.S.N.10

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Case had ordered the examination and trial of these revolvers, and the report was addressed

to him. The inspectors were apparently unaware that Case had been replaced as chief of the

bureau on the same day that the report was written. His successor was Capt. William N. Jeffers,

who had also served as an inspector of ordnance at the Washington Navy Yard during and after

the Civil War. His reports on the inspection of Remington Navy Revolvers can be found in a pre-

vious chapter. He would remain as the chief of the bureau until July 1881.

Although Case had been replaced as bureau chief, he was well aware of this report, as evi-

denced in a letter dated May 8 from Franklin to Cdr. K. R. Breese, another inspector of ordnance

at the Washington yard:

My Dear Captain,

Admiral Case, whom I met in New York on Tuesday, volunteered to tell me that you and

Captain Pierson [sic] had been trying our Army pistol, and that you had found ours infe-

rior to the Smith & Wesson pistol, and that you would doubtless give me the facts in the

case, if I wrote you.

Of course we cannot and do not intend competition with the S. & W. in the method

of extraction. Not only do we not own the right to use the method of simultaneous extrac-

tion, but the fact that soldiers have not been able to assemble the pistol when it is taken

apart for cleaning, as reported by the Captains of the Companies using them, deterred us

from using that extractor for Military purposes.

But we hope that in accuracy and penetration you found our pistol at least equal to

the S & W pistol, and I thought it would turn out to be superior.11

Had Franklin been aware that the bureau had no funds with which to purchase revolvers, he

may have been less perturbed. Revolvers were very low on the bureau’s priorities, due to the lack

of appropriations for such amenities. The navy was going through a period of congressional

neglect, and all phases of naval operations were suffering from a lack of funds at that time. As

we shall see later in this chapter, Jeffers’s personal opinion of revolvers as a side arm would also

have some bearing on the fact that the navy would not order new revolvers for many years.

Ironically, it was Remington’s cartridge revolver that caught Jeffers’s attention. He saw in this

specimen an economical method to adapt the navy’s percussion revolvers to cartridge. He first

approached Remington on this subject on May 10, one month after the tests at the Washington yard:

Sirs:

Please state at what price you will alter two hundred (200) Remington Revolvers to the

use of metallic cartridges for competitive trial.12

William S. Smoot replied for Remington on May 15:

Sir,

In reply to yours of May 10th asking price for alteration 200 Remington Revolvers, would say

that we can alter them for four dollars each, as per sample sent to your office some time since.13

276

CHAPTER NINE

277

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Also, on the tenth of May, Breese responded to Franklin’s letter of May 8:

Sir,

I have just received your letter of the 8th inst. and in reply would state that the orders

under which Lt. Commdr. Pearson and myself acted were to select the revolver best

adapted to the use of metallic cartridges, other things not being too objectionable. This

we found in the Smith and Wesson. The point referred to by you, the difficulty of assem-

bling, was recognized by us; but as they are only intended for Officers use, we did not

think that insuperable.

Again, should they go into the hands of Jack we know that it is only theoretically that

he is to take apart and clean his pistol &c, for practically skilled people have them in hand

for such purposes.

No absolute tests for accuracy and penetration was [sic], but both were taken into

consideration with making up of our opinion and it was in favor of Colt’s, but for Naval

purposes sufficient test was made of the accuracy and penetration of the Smith and

Wesson’s which taken with its decided advantages in its extractor decided us in its favor.

The adoption of the Smith and Wesson revolver has not been decided upon and

Captain W. N. Jeffers of the Bureau desires me to ask the price of altering 200 revolvers of

the old pattern, to receive metallic ammunition; please direct your reply to him.14

Franklin made his first contact with Jeffers on May 13:

Sir,

In compliance with the request contained in Captain Breese’s letter to me of the 10th inst.,

I would state.

We are not now engaged in altering our Navy rev’g pistols to met. Cart. pistols. We

however have some already altered, and if those which you desire to have altered are new,

that is, have never been issued, and are in good order, we will exchange with you pistol

for pistol for two hundred, at three dollars and fifty cents each.

These are for rim-fire cartridges, and were made for the trade. No central fire

cartridges of the calibre of the Navy rev’g pistol have been made in the U.S. except

experimentally.

For alteration of the pistols to central fire cartridges the price would be the same as that

given above for rim-fire, were the order to cover all the Colt’s pistols in the Navy, amounting

I believe to some two thousand. But we could not make the alteration for two hundred at

nearly that price. Of course a good central fire .38 cal. cartridge can easily be made.15

We learn from this piece of correspondence that no .38 caliber center fire cartridges were com-

mercially available at that time.

Jeffers was apparently indecisive as to his options, considering the limited funds he had

available. On June 5, he again contacted the Colt firm, this time to inquire about the price of

single-action army revolvers:

Sirs:

Please inform the Bureau at what rate you will furnish and deliver five hundred (500)

Colt’s revolvers adapted for central fire metallic cartridges, nickel plated in all their parts,

similar to the one furnished on order of 19th Feb. 1873; and also, at what rate you will

exchange a like number for the old model of Colt’s revolver now on hand in store and

simply cleaned.

The Bureau is about changing the muzzle loading revolvers for those firing metallic-

cartridges and desires the quantity referred to for trial.16

I found Jeffers’s statement about the old model revolvers very enlightening. The implication

seemed to be that the navy had on hand five hundred Colt revolvers that had never been issued

for service. The bureau’s final order for Colt’s percussion revolvers had occurred in 1862; during

the remainder of the war, the bureau had purchased approximately twelve thousand Remington

and Whitney revolvers. The possibility that the navy would still have this number of unissued

Colt revolvers remaining from the Civil War seems somewhat incredulous. The response to this

letter advised Jeffers that Colt would furnish the cartridge revolvers at the price of $13.80 but that

they did not wish to exchange that number for any of the old percussion pistols.

Shortly after Jeffers had made the above inquiries of Colt and Remington, he decided to dis-

pose of many of the older arms on hand in the navy’s arsenals. The Bureau of Ordnance had pur-

chased over twenty thousand percussion revolvers for the navy between 1852, when Samuel Colt

had received his first revolver order from the bureau, and April 1865, when Eli Whitney delivered

the bureau’s final revolver order of the Civil War. Many of these were lost in engagements dur-

ing the war, while others were later disposed of as surplus during the Franco-Prussian War. After

the navy had taken delivery of the Remington Rolling Block Pistols in 1867–68, the percussion

revolvers in navy stores were no longer issued for general use on vessels. Revolvers were issued

only to officers, with the approval of their commanding officers, and it was inevitable that the

bureau would seek to dispose of still more percussion revolvers. The money generated from

the sale of surplus arms was credited to “Appropriations, Naval Ordnance” and could be used at the

discretion of the bureau chief, precluding the necessity for seeking congressional appropriations

for small purchases. Jeffers saw these funds as an ideal means to secure the alteration of some of

the navy’s remaining percussion revolvers. The following advertisement was published twice

weekly in several metropolitan newspapers beginning on May 20:

SALE OF SMALL ARMS

Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department

Washington D.C. May 20, 1873

Sealed bids in duplicate will be received at this office for the purchase in lots of 100 to 500,

for about 2,000 Whitney’s, 1,800 Colt’s, and 1,200 Remington’s, (navy size, caliber .36)

with 604,000 rounds of paper ammunition, to be delivered to the successful bidder or bid-

ders at the New York or Washington navy yards.

The bids will be opened at 12 M. on the 19th June, 1873 and the Department reserves

the right to reject all that are not deemed satisfactory.

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CHAPTER NINE

The bids will be addressed to “Chief of Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department,

Washington D.C.,” and indorsed “Bids for purchase of Navy Revolvers and Ammunition.”

William N. Jeffers

Chief of Bureau17

The bureau received several bids in response to this advertisement. One of these came from

Philadelphia, dated June 17:

Chief of Bureau of Ordnance

I bid $2.50 each for 100 Remington Revolvers

I “ $2.00 “ “ 500 “ “

I “ $1.25 “ “ 100 Whitney’s Revolvers

I “ $1.00 “ “ 500 “ “

I “ $1.12 1/2 “ “ 100 Colt’s Revolvers

I “ $.95 “ “ 500 “ “

Respectfully, Wm. H. Thomas18

This letter has a notation at the bottom added at the bureau, “X Accepted, 19 June 1873,” and

another “X” beside the $2.50 bid on the lot of one hundred Remingtons. On the same day, the

bureau notified Thomas:

Sir:

The Bureau accepts your bid of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) each for one hundred

(100) Remington revolvers, made the 17th inst. These revolvers will be delivered to you

at the Philadelphia Navy Yard upon payment of the amount of sale to the Paymaster of

that Yard.19

On the same day, Jeffers sent the following directive to Cdr. J. R. M. Mullaney, commandant

of the Philadelphia yard:

Sir:

Please deliver to Mr. W. H. Thomas one hundred Remington revolvers, without spare

parts, at two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) each, upon his payment of the amount of sale

to the Paymaster of the Yard, which amount is to be deposited to the credit of

Appropriations “Navy Ordnance.”20

Another successful bid for revolvers was posted from Washington on June 19 by a prominent

New York City arms dealer:

Sir,

I would offer to purchase in accordance with the terms of advertisement the following

named revolvers and for which I will give the following prices.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

280

CHAPTER NINE

2000 Whitney Revolvers $1.57 Ea.

1200 Remington Revolvers $2.26 Ea.

1800 Colts Revolvers $3.27 Ea.

Respectfully &c

J. W. Frazier

I would also give for Percussion Caps Musket 26 cts. per 1000, Revolver Caps 18 cts. per 1000.21

Across the face of this bid was written “Accepted, 19 June.”

On the following day, Jeffers sent directives to the Portsmouth, Boston, Philadelphia,

Washington, Norfolk, and New York yards. The message to all yards, except New York, was

the same:

Sir:

Please send to the New York Navy Yard by the “Tallapresa” on her next trip all the

Remington and Whitney Revolvers, including their spare parts, now on hand, disposable

or appropriated, at the Yard under your Command; also Musket and Revolver Caps, and

all paper ammunition for revolvers, reserving a sufficient quantity of the latter two for

issue with the Colt’s Revolvers on hand.22

The Tallapresa was the navy supply vessel that made regular scheduled trips to the various

navy yards on the East Coast. Also on the twentieth, Jeffers forwarded directions to Vice Adm. S. C.

Rowan, commandant of the New York yard, concerning disposal of the revolvers:

Admiral,

The Bureau has directed a quantity of Remington’s and Whitney’s revolvers, revolver car-

tridges and musket and revolver percussion caps to be sent from the Portsmouth, Boston,

Philadelphia, Washington, and Norfolk Navy Yards to the Yard under your command,

these articles, when received, together with those of similar kind on hand in the New York

Navy Yard, excepting a sufficient quantity of cartridges and percussion caps for Colt’s

Navy revolvers on hand, are to be delivered as follows, upon each of the parties depositing

the value thereof with the Paymaster of the New York Navy Yard.

To J. W. Frazier—23 Dey St. New York

All the Whitney revolvers at $1.57 ea.

“ “ Remington “ “ 2.26 “

Musket percussion caps .26 per M

Revolver “ “ .18 “ “

To Cooper, Harris & Hodgekins, 177 Broadway, New York

Revolver cartridges at $1.50 per M

Should the spare parts of the pistols be required they may be sold at the same rate as

those for the Sharps and Hankins Carbines were at a recent sale.

The proceeds from the sale are to be deposited in the U.S. Treasury to the credit of

Appropriations “Navy Ordnance.”23

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

On July 14, Jeffers again contacted the New York yard:

Admiral,

The Bureau has directed the Superintendent of the Naval Academy to send to the

Yard under your command a quantity of Army rifled muskets, Cal .58 and Remington

Navy Revolvers.

The revolvers are to be sold to Mr. J. W. Frazier upon the terms mentioned in

Bureau’s letter of 20th June, 1873.24

On June 27, the bureau received another bid on small arms from Pensacola, Florida:

Sir,

Your communication of the 24th inst. is at hand, and in reply I beg leave to state that I

will take all the Rifles and Muskets, Viz 1090, now on hand at the prices specified in my

letter of the 17th inst., and I will take all the Remington Revolvers at $2.50 each, but no

other revolvers at that price. I am willing to pay $2.20 each for all the Whitney revolvers,

and $1.75 each for the balance of the revolvers; left on hand.

Jas. D. Kenney25

Jeffers did not respond to Kenney until the eleventh of August:

Sir:

Your letter of the 30th ult. is received.

The Bureau accepts your bids therein made for revolvers at the Pensacola Navy Yard,

provided that you take all of each kind bid for i.e.—Remington revolvers at $2.50 each,

Whitney’s revolvers at $2.20 each and all other revolvers, excepting Colt’s which the

Bureau will not sell, at $1.75 each.

These articles will be delivered to you at the Pensacola Navy Yard upon the payment

of the amount of sale to the Paymaster of the Yard.26

Also on the eleventh, Jeffers notified Commodore M. B. Woodsey, commandant of the

Pensacola yard, of the terms of the sale:

Sir:

Please deliver to Mr. Jas. D. Kenny all of the following pistols, after reserving a specimen

of each for the museum:

Remington revolvers at $2.50 each.

Whitney revolvers at $2.20 each and all other revolvers, excepting Colt’s, at $1.75

each, upon his payment of the amount of sale to the Paymaster of this Yard.27

Jeffers had evidently changed his mind about disposing of any more Colt revolvers, as

they seem to have been withdrawn from sale. When these sales were completed, Jeffers had

disposed of almost all of the Remington and Whitney percussion revolvers on the Atlantic

seaboard; the only ones remaining in navy stores were on vessels at sea and at the Mare

Island yard in California, which amounted to approximately two thousand Colts and one

thousand Remingtons. Some of the Whitney and Savage revolvers, which escaped the

bureau’s disposal sales, were mentioned in later bureau correspondence, most of which orig-

inated from Mare Island.

In a November 1876 informal letter to Jeffers, Amory Edwards, agent for Winchester

Repeating Arms Company, queried Jeffers about the sale of Colt percussion revolvers during the

Franco-Prussian War. On the twenty-seventh, Jeffers replied as follows:

Sir;

Your letter of the 25th inst. is received.

No Colt’s revolvers were sold by the Navy Department during the French War. The

only pistols disposed of at that time were the Remington’s revolvers; and as they were sold

at public auction the Bureau has no information of the purchasers.

Please send to the Bureau a new Winchester pistol Cal. .44 as soon as completed.

Why not adopt the Army Cal. .45?28

Edwards later sent a prototype Winchester revolver to the bureau, but the revolver was never

developed beyond that stage. The number of Remington revolvers sold during the Franco-

Prussian War has not been verified; I have located no other correspondence or records in refer-

ence to such sales.

After Jeffers had completed the revolver sales, he again turned his attention to the alteration

of the navy’s Colt percussion revolvers. On the twenty-eighth of June, he contacted Franklin at

the Colt Armory:

Sir,

I have sold all the revolvers belonging to the Navy except the Colt’s—these I propose to

have altered.

I am not satisfied with any of the new cartridge revolvers, but taking into considera-

tion the use made of them in the Navy and the last reports of the Army Board I think

the Colt preferable.

We have 1000 available at once, the remainder being at sea or scattered at

distant yards.

What will be the cost of alteration to use the central fire Army cartridge (caliber .44)

as in the pistols you are now supplying the Army?

Also, cost to use .38 cartridge? I should wish if the cost is not too great, to have the

standard calibre same as Army as it is evidently a question of how to substitute an

entirely new arm.29

Jeffers was not entirely candid with Franklin. The navy still had on hand approximately one

thousand Remington percussion revolvers, plus a small number of Whitney’s and Savage’s. This

282

CHAPTER NINE

letter led to a flurry of correspondence between the bureau and Colt. I present the most perti-

nent letters without comment:

Hartford, Conn., June 30, 1873

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 28th inst has been received. It is impossible to alter Navy cal. pistols .36

cal to .44 cal. Boring out the cylinder weakens it too much in the vicinity of the slot into

which the locking bolt engages.

We will alter 1000 or more for .38 cal rimfire cartridge for $3.25 each.

The Army had some 1200 powder & ball pistols altered to met. cart. some time ago at

a fixed price. But when the work was commenced it was found that in many cases new

cylinders and new barrels were required, so that when the contract was concluded, the

pistols had cost nearly double the price of mere alteration. I think that you may meet with

this same difficulty. We would charge for extra parts our ordinary prices.

The cartridge of the pistol that we are making for the Army has a ball cal. 455,

swedged [sic] in the barrel to about .45. This is a larger calibre than has yet been used in

the U.S. Service for Revolving pistols, and it gives a penetration .50 percent greater than

any thing we have seen.30

Washington City, July 2, 1873

Sir,

Your letter of the 30th ult. offering to alter Colt’s Navy revolvers is received.

The Bureau notes that you propose to alter the revolvers for rim fire cartridges

whereas it is the desire to adopt central fire, and wishes to be informed whether you will

alter them to central fire on the same terms;—if so 800 or more will be sent at once to

your works for alteration.31

Hartford, Conn., July 8, 1873

Captain,

Your letter of the 2nd inst has remained unanswered on account of my absence.

We have made our .38 inch cal. altered pistols rim fire because there are no

central fire cartridges of that calibre on the American market. We can, however

alter yours to central fire, but the cost will be 25 cents more each, making the price

per pistol $3.50 each.

Of course central fire cartridges can easily be manufactured, and I think the Union

Metallic Cartridge Co. of Bridgeport Conn. has already experimented in that direction

with some of our pistols.32

Washington City, July 10, 1873

Sir,

Your letter of the 8th inst is received. The Bureau accepts your offer to alter Colt’s Navy

revolvers to fire central fire metallic cartridges at $3.50 each, and has ordered the

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Commandant of the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia Navy Yards to send your manu-

factory 100, 400, and 300, pistols respectively, for alteration.

It is desired that this order may be executed as soon as practicable and the Bureau

notified when each 100 pistols are completed in order that I may direct their disposition;

please send two of them when altered to the Bureau as models.33

Hartford, Conn., July 12, 1873

Captain,

Your letter of the 10th inst ordering alteration of Colt’s Navy pistols to central fire Met.

Cart. has been received, and the order is accepted, and the alterations put in hand at

once, the price being $3.50 each. The order I notice, contemplates 800, and we will be glad

to know whether you expect to order any additional number, and if yes, how many. This

information will guide us as to the number of parts that we put into the works.

We will have the samples ready about two weeks after we receive the first pistols, and

the time for altering 800 will be about three months.34

Washington City, July 14, 1873

Sir,

Your letter of the 12th inst is received. The Bureau contemplates the alteration of 1200

Colt’s Navy pistols to fire central fire metallic cartridges and will deliver the additional

400 as the alteration progresses.35

With the details of alteration established, Franklin now addressed the subject of center fire

cartridges, which had previously been unavailable. On July 16, he notified Jeffers as follows:

Captain,

I have sent you by express a Navy pistol altered to central fire Met. Cartridges. It is not

one of those belonging to the Navy, but it is sent in order that cartridges may be obtained

for it. As I have already informed you, the Union Met’c. Cart. Co. of Bridgeport Conn has

been experimenting in this direction and is doubtless prepared to furnish them in quanti-

ties at short notice, we ought to have some as soon as possible, for we want to be sure that

pistols & cartridge go well together, and we cannot be entirely sure of that unless we have

the adopted cartridge. There are nice points such as head of cartridge, length & conse-

quently penetration of firing pin &c which can best be determined by having the very car-

tridge that is to be used.36

Two days later, Jeffers contacted the Union Metallic Cartridge Company in Bridgeport,

Connecticut:

Please inform the Bureau if you make cartridges for the Colt’s revolver Cal. .38, central

fire; and if so, at what price you will agree to furnish and deliver the same at the New

York and Boston Navy Yards.37

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CHAPTER NINE

The response to this was penned on July 22 by Robert J. White, secretary of the Union

Metallic Cartridge Company:

Sir:

We reply to your favor of the 18th inst that we make 38 Cal ammunition for the altered

Colt’s revolver—and will deliver them at the New York & Boston Navy Yards at twelve

and one quarter dollars ($12.25) per thousand.38

Jeffers ordered cartridges on the following day:

Mr. Robert J. White

Your letter of the 22nd inst is received.

Please send to the Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Co. Hartford Conn., for trial, 1000 38 cal. car-

tridges for the altered Colt’s revolvers, at the price stated therein and forward your bill to

the Bureau for settlement.39

It would seem that Jeffers was overly conservative, ordering only one thousand cartridges for

testing eight hundred revolvers. He advised Franklin that the cartridges had been ordered on the

same day:

Sir,

The Bureau has directed the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. of Bridgeport Conn. to deliver

at your works, 1000 .38 cal. cartridges for the altered Colt’s revolver, for trial and adjust-

ment of the relative parts to each other.40

On July 25, White acknowledged the cartridge order:

Sir:

We acknowledge receipt of your communication of July 23rd. We have sent for a pistol in

conformity to that mentioned therein—as soon as that is received we will forward the

cartridges for trial—as requested.41

On July 30, Franklin solicited additional work for the Colt firm:

Captain,

I have caused to be sent to you by Express today two of your pistols altered. One has been

restocked, and the strap and guard are blued. The other has had nothing done to it, except

what we do under the contract or order for altering, and it is a fair sample of the appear-

ance of all of them. Some have brass straps and guards and others iron.

If you wish, we will for .75 cents each, restock the pistols, reblue those with iron straps

& guards, and replate those with plated straps, or leave the brass repolished (showing a

brass finish) as you may prefer.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

This will give the pistols a new appearance, and I make you the proposition

because the very great improvement in appearance for the small outlay seems to me a

thing worth considering. At any rate, whatever may be your decision, please return the

pistols to us.42

Jeffers accepted Franklin’s proposition on the following day:

Sir,

Your letter of the 30th ult received.

The Bureau accepts your proposition therein made to restock the pistols, reblue those

with iron straps and guards, and replate those with plated straps and guards for 75 cents,

and returns the pistols sent with your letter.43

On August 6, Franklin inquired about the arrival of the remainder of the revolvers:

Captain,

Your letter of the 1st inst accepting our proposition of the 30th ult has been rec’d. About

800 of the pistols have been received, and in one of your letters, you informed me that

there would be about 1200 pistols in all. Can you give me any information as to when

the others may be looked for, for it will be a convenience to us to go through the whole

number without interruption, if possible.

W. B. Franklin

P.S. The cartridges from the U.M. Cart. Co. work exceedingly well in the

altered pistols.44

Jeffers forwarded a reply to this inquiry on August 12:

Sir,

Your letter of the 6th Aug. 1873 is received.

The Bureau has directed the Commandant of the Boston, New York and Philadelphia

Navy Yards to send your manufactory 100, 100, and 200 revolvers respectively for alter-

ation which with the others previously forwarded will make 1200. On their completion of

the first 100 please send 50 to the Portsmouth and New York Navy Yards each, consigned

to the Commandants thereof; this number it is desired may be finished as soon as possible

in order to put the pistols into service.45

The response to this was initialed by an unknown Colt employee on August 14:

Sir:

Your letter of the 12th inst is at hand. Soon as 100 pistols arrive they will be placed in the

works. We note your directions as to sending out the first 100 and will act accordingly.

per R. C. T.46

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CHAPTER NINE

On the following day, Jeffers advised Franklin of a change in the number of revolvers that

he could expect from the Philadelphia yard:

Sir,

Referring to the Bureau’s letter of the 12th inst. 100 revolvers have been ordered from the

Norfolk Navy Yard to your factory for alteration; and 100 from the Philadelphia N.Y. in

lieu of 200.47

Nearly eleven weeks passed before the next correspondence in this episode. On October 30,

Franklin advised Jeffers that the revolvers had all been altered and were ready for shipment

(figure 143):

Captain,

The 1200 Navy Pistols which we have been altering are now completed and are ready for

delivery in boxes of fifty.

One hundred have been already sent away in compliance with your orders, and

twelve more were sent you a few days ago at your request as communicated through

Mr. Edgar T. Wells. The remainder are in our store room.

You will notice that sundry parts are charged. The prices are our ordinary

prices and although we have received no orders to furnish these things, the Pistols

would not have been properly serviceable without them. Thus the keys which held

the barrels to the cylinder pins were all too much worn to be used again. The old

triggers would not work and were exchanged for new ones—these were not charged.

Many of the screws were rusted away. The cylinders, barrels and frames that are

charged replace others that are valueless, and so are the other parts. We shall be

287

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Figure 143Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver altered using the Richards-Mason patent method. One of the 2,098 ColtModel 1851 and 1861 Navies altered by Colt for the Bureau of Ordnance. (Author’s photograph)

glad to receive the amount of the bill for these parts, but if you cannot properly

pay for them, we shall nevertheless be glad to receive payment for the alteration as

soon as it is convenient to you. As we have had some correspondence on the subject

of barrels and cylinders, it is proper to state that all of these articles that could

decently be used were used, and that the defects only develop when the cylinders

are bored out, and were necessarily reported to me too late to enable us to carry

out the idea of replacing the worthless ones by other older ones as suggested in one

of your letters.48

On November 4, Jeffers sent Franklin instructions for shipping the revolvers:

Sir,

Please send the altered Colt’s navy revolvers as follows:

200 to the Portsmouth Navy Yard.

200 to the Boston Navy Yard

200 to the Philadelphia Navy Yard

100 to the Washington Navy Yard

100 to the Norfolk Navy Yard

and the remainder to the New York Navy Yard.49

On the sixth, Franklin acknowledged receipt of the above letter:

Captain,

Your letter of the 4th inst directing the disposition to be made of the altered Colt’s Navy

pistols in our possession has been received, and they will be shipped today.

In a former letter I reported 1088 as being on hand here. There are only 1087, one

having been sent to the Bureau as a model.

We note that you have sent us a receipt for $51. the cost of alteration of twelve pistols.

If it be at all convenient, we shall be much obliged if you can send us the papers nec-

essary to enable us to receive the balance due on our account of the alteration of the 1200

on or before the 15th inst which is our pay day.50

Two days later, Jeffers forwarded the approved bill for the balance of the revolvers:

Sir,

The Bureau encloses approved bill in your favor, amounting to $5719.50 for which

acknowledge receipt.51

About this time, the bureau received a letter from Cdr. Meade, an ordnance officer at the

New York yard, containing a request that ships’ officers be issued revolvers. On the four-

teenth of November, Jeffers responded, his curt reply expressing his contempt of revolvers

as a naval sidearm:

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CHAPTER NINE

Sir:

Yes! If it will make anyone happy. There is no instance on record of a revolver having been

fired. They are merely ornamental appendages.52

On the following day, Jeffers responded to a message from Rowan, commandant of the New

York yard, advising the bureau of defects discovered in some of the yard’s percussion revolvers:

Admiral,

Referring to the letter of the Inspector of Ordnance of the 13th inst. N0.288.

The defects are of no consequence and no attempt is to be made to remedy them.

As revolvers are taken to sea and returned with their ammunition intact, no target

practice having been had, the Bureau looks upon them as a superfluity, the good or bad

qualities of which will only be discovered by the Quarter-Gunner who cleans them.53

Jeffers’s sarcasm about the use of revolvers and pistols on board ships was not yet over. On

November 28, he again contacted Rowan at the New York yard:

Admiral,

Referring to the letter of the Inspector of Ordnance of the 25th inst. N0.388.

The Bureau will see that the ammunition is delivered on time.

Please reduce the allowance of Navy pistol cartridges to twenty (20) per pistol, as

there is no record in this Bureau of a pistol having been fired in target practice or action.54

THE YEAR OF 1874

There was little mention of revolvers in the bureau’s correspondence for the next eleven months.

During this time, percussion revolvers had been accumulating at various navy yards, as they

were replaced by Colt cartridge alterations. On October 28, 1874, Jeffers again contacted Franklin

in regard to altering additional revolvers:

Sir,

The Bureau has directed the Commandant of the New York Navy Yard to send to your

works 497 Colt’s revolvers, which you will please alter to fire metallic cartridges and then

return them to that station.55

Franklin did not respond until November 16:

Captain,

The pistols for alteration have been received from the New York Navy Yard, as you

informed me (497 I think).

Will you be good enough to inform me whether these are all that are to come? Before

setting our machines for them we would like to know this fact, as the machines must go to

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

work on other things as soon as we get through the alterations, and it would be quite

expensive to reset them for another lot. So if any more are to come, we prefer to wait their

arrival. If however no more are to come, we will start at once on these. In fact we have

already taken them apart, but have not commenced to machine them.56

Two day later, Jeffers notified Franklin of additional revolvers being forwarded for alteration:

Sir,

Your letter of the 16th inst. relative to altering revolvers has been received.

In addition to the number sent you from New York Navy Yard there are 183 on their

way from Mare Island Cal., which will be delivered to you as soon as received.57

Later the same day, Jeffers discovered more revolvers for alteration and notified Franklin:

Sir,

The Bureau has directed 27 Colt’s revolvers to be sent you from the Norfolk N.Y. for alter-

ation to breech loaders.58

Four days later, on November 22, Jeffers again contacted Franklin to advise him of yet more

revolvers to be altered:

Sir,

The Bureau has directed the Commandant of the Portsmouth N.Y. to send you for alter-

ation 12 Navy revolvers.59

THE YEAR OF 1875

On January 22, 1875, Franklin directed the next piece of correspondence to Jeffers:

Commodore,

Some time ago we received notice from your Bureau that over one hundred Navy pistols

were on their way here from California for alteration. They have not yet arrived, and we

are keeping the others back on their account. Can you give us any information concern-

ing them, and will you prefer us to go on and finish those now here, or wait for the

California batch.60

Jeffers responded on January 26:

Sir,

Your letter of the 22nd inst received.

The Bureau desires that the alteration of the pistols, which you have received may be

delayed until those arrive from Mare Island N.Y.61

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CHAPTER NINE

The shipment of revolvers from Mare Island did not arrive until some three months later.

Jeffers notified Franklin that they were on their way on April 17:

Sir,

The revolvers referred to in Bureau’s letter of 18th Nov., 1874 have arrived from Mare

Island Cal. and will be sent you from New York, N.Y.62

This lot of revolvers was completed by the Colt Armory approximately two months later. On

June 29, Franklin requested shipping instructions:

Sir:

The six Nickel plated Navy Revolvers ordered in your letter of the 28th inst will be sent

you in four days. The last of the altered pistols has been completed today. Please instruct

as to their shipment.63

Jeffers provided this information on July 1:

Sir,

Please send to the New York Navy Yard the altered revolvers referred to in your letter of

the 29th inst.64

Franklin forwarded a bill for the alterations on July 7:

Dear Sir:

Enclosed is the bill for alteration of the Navy Pistols received by us during the past

year for alteration. They have been shipped to the New York Navy Yard according to

your instructions.

The bills for other small lots of pistols ordered by you during the year are added.

I have caused to be sent to you by Express a .38 cal. (navy) pistol in external dimen-

sions the same as the Army pistol adopted for the Cavalry. Its price will be $13. I shall be

glad to have you have it tested at your convenience, believing as I do, that it is an excel-

lent weapon. It is sighted for 25 yards. If you do have it tested, I will be glad to have a

copy of the report, and be informed if you will probably require any of them.

Amount of bill $4485.8765

This letter raises some questions. With the delivery of this lot of revolvers, Colt had altered

1,919 revolvers for the bureau: 1,200 in 1873 and 719 in 1875. The entry in the bureau’s “Records of

Accounts Received for Payment” reads only: “July 6, 1875 For Pistols &c (altering) $4485.87.”66 The

bureau had evidently ordered other models of revolvers from Colt. Using available correspon-

dence, it is difficult to establish just how many and what types were retained by the bureau. As

these were all billed together, both in Franklin’s letter and in the bureau’s “Records of Accounts

Received for Payment,” it is not possible to arrive at an average price for the 719 altered revolvers.

291

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

With the bulk of the navy’s Colt revolvers altered, Jeffers now turned his attention to the

alteration of the Remington revolvers still on hand. On July 20, 1875, the bureau once again

approached the Remington firm:

Sirs,

The Bureau has on hand a lot of revolvers of your manufacture (about 1000)—old pat-

tern—for which it has been offered a very small price; and if you would agree to alter

them to breech-loaders, Cal. .38 on your present system for a moderate charge it would

prefer to make the change rather than sell them as they are.

Will you please, therefore, inform me at what rate you will agree to make the alter-

ations and deliver them to the Commdt. of the New York N.Y.67

This letter was answered on July 24 by Watson C. Squires, son-in-law of Philo Remington:

Sir:

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Bureau’s communication of the 20th instant.

The writer will be pleased to have a personal interview with you, regarding the alter-

ation of the revolvers, during the coming week, but will await reply as to your pleasure

before starting.

Meantime, we would request that you send us a fair specimen of the revolvers referred

to, showing their condition at present.

We have a number—about 2,000—of the Navy revolvers, 38 cal., of superior finish,

which are already altered and could be delivered at once. We also have about 700 U.S.

Navy single shot pistols on hand, which we might be willing to exchange, on suitable

terms, for those revolvers belonging to your department. Furthermore we are just issuing

our new Army revolver, cal. .44 center fire, of which we are making 10,000 for a foreign

government, and which is believed to be superior to anything now in use.

Should you desire, we will send or bring you samples of all these, and confer as to

your wishes on the premises.68

I gathered from this letter that sales of Remington handguns were rather slow. The new

revolvers referred to were 1875 Army Models. Remington had received a contract for ten thou-

sand of these from the Egyptian government.

Jeffers sent his reply two days later:

Sirs,

The Bureau is in receipt of you letter of the 24th inst. replying to its inquiry regarding the

alteration of revolvers.

As you request, the Bureau has ordered a sample revolver to be sent you from the New

York, N.Y.; but begs to inform you that it now has no funds to make the purchases suggested

in your letter, although it would be willing to have the lot of revolvers mentioned in its letter

of the 20th inst. altered to breech loaders if you would do the work for a moderate price.

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CHAPTER NINE

The Chief of the Bureau will be pleased to see you at any time you are in

Washington; but he cannot assign any particular day to receive you as he will be necessar-

ily absent at uncertain intervals on duty connected with the preparation of his annual

report and estimates.69

Squires responded on July 31:

Sir:

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the communication of the Bureau dated

July 26, 1875. We have also received the sample revolver referred to therein.

We send you today by American Express, a sample of our present style of new altered

revolver, with box of fifty cartridges for same. We propose to alter those of the Bureau on

the same plan, for three dollars and fifty cents each—provided the pistols are to be left in

their present condition in all respects excepting the mechanical work of alteration proper.

If, however, you desire us to re-stock, polish and blue the pistols—making them appear as

good as new—there would be an additional charge of seventy five cents each, making the

total price four dollars and twenty five cents per pistol.

We think this price as low as we can afford to accept, considering the cost of prepara-

tion, and the actual expense of the work.70

Remington’s proposal for altering the navy’s Remingtons was identical to that received of

Colt two years previous. Jeffers accepted these terms on August 2:

Sirs:

Your proposition of 31st ult. to alter the Remington’s navy revolvers to breechloading, re-stock,

polish and blue the pistols—making them appear as good as new—for $4.25 each is accepted.

These pistols are to be central fire and the cylinders and barrels reamed to take the

cartridges of the U.S. Cartridge Co’s make, one thousand of which have been ordered to be

sent to you from said firm.

The Commandant of the New York Navy Yard has been directed to send you the pis-

tols on hand there and also a quantity on their way from Mare Island Navy Yard.71

When the bureau was first seeking a .38 caliber center fire cartridge in 1873, they had contacted

the Union Metallic Cartridge Company. It was their cartridges that were used in the test of the first

lot of Colt revolvers altered. Early in 1875, the bureau had also started purchasing cartridges from

the United States Cartridge Company, located in Lowell, Massachusetts. On the same day he sent

the previous message, Jeffers ordered cartridges from this firm for testing the Remingtons:

Sirs,

Please send to the Messrs. E. Remington & Sons, Ilion N.Y. for the purpose of adjusting

revolvers during alteration to their gauge one thousand (1000) metallic revolver cartridges

Cal. .38.72

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Also on August 2, Jeffers sent two additional messages; the first was a telegram to the Mare

Island yard:

Send immediately to Navy Yard, New York, fast freight via Panama, all the Remington

revolvers on hand. Packages not to weigh over two hundred (200) pounds.73

The recent fiasco concerning the rail shipment of Colt revolvers from the Mare Island yard

seems to have been fresh in Jeffers’s mind when dispatching this message. The Remington

revolvers were to come by sea. This method of shipment seems to have had little advantage over

shipping by rail as Remington did not receive the revolvers until February 1876.

The second message was a letter to the commandant of the New York yard:

Admiral:

Please send to the Messrs. E. Remington & Sons all the Remington’s Navy Revolvers on

hand, and also a lot of the same make which have been ordered from Mare Island N.Y. to

the yard under your command.74

On August 9, O. W. Seamans, responding for Remington, advised Jeffers that they were

awaiting the arrival of the pistols:

Sir:

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 2nd inst.

Awaiting the arrival of the pistols.75

The following month, Jeffers again decided to dispose of surplus arms. On September 16,

1875, he submitted an advertisement to be published in several metropolitan newspapers:

Proprietor of the Journal

Boston, Mass.

Please insert in your paper twice a week—on Tuesdays and Saturdays until the 9th of

Oct., 1875 the enclosed advertisement of sale of small arms, ammunition and accou-

trements and send bill to this office for settlement.

William N. Jeffers,

Chief of Bureau

SALE OF SMALL ARMS

BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Navy Department

Washington, September 7, 1875

Bids will be received at this office until noon of October 9, 1875, for the purchase of a

quantity of obsolete arms, accoutrements and ammunition at the several Navy Yards.

Catalogues will be furnished on application to the Bureau or to the Commandants of

the Navy Yards.

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CHAPTER NINE

Terms Cash: Twenty percent, payable on acceptance of bids, and all articles are to be

removed in twenty days from close of sale or forfeited.

The Government reserves the right to refuse any bid deemed unsatisfactory.

Packing boxes to be paid for at a price to be determined on by the Commandant of

the respective Navy Yards.

William N. Jeffers

Chief of Bureau76

A copy of the sale catalog has not been located, but the bids received give a fair idea of the

goods offered. There were approximately 1,000 single-shot boarding pistols, 125 Savage Navy

Revolvers, 296 Whitney Navy Revolvers, and 42 Colt Army Revolvers. In addition, there were

muskets of every description; Sharps, Spencer, and Sharps & Hankins carbines; bullet molds;

waist belts and plates; cartridge boxes; pistol frogs; bayonets; and several thousand rounds of

both metallic and combustible ammunition.

The bids received for the navy’s stock of obsolete flintlock pistols were larger than those

made for percussion arms. Are we to assume from this that there was an interest in arms collect-

ing at this early date? The Whitney, Savage, and Colt army revolvers had been turned into stores

by ships returning from duty stations in the two-year interval since the 1873 sale. Some of the

bids received seem to indicate that many of the arms had a value of little more than scrap metal.

In the following month, additional revolvers were returning from sea duty. On November 8,

Jeffers sent the following to Rowan at the New York yard:

Sir:

The report of survey of the 4th inst. upon the Ordnance and Ordnance Equipments of the

U.S.S. Vermont has been received.

Please send to the Colt’s Arms Co. the Colt’s revolvers, and to Messrs. E. Remington &

Sons, Ilion, N.Y. the Remington’s revolvers, for alteration.

The Army pistols with cartridges and frogs may be delivered to Messrs J. P. Moore’s

Sons in accordance with the Bureau’s letter of the 11th ult.77

On the same day, Jeffers notified Colt that the revolvers were being shipped:

Sirs:

The Bureau has directed 34 Colt’s revolvers to be sent you from the New York N.Y.

for alteration.78

Franklin answered on November 15:

Captain,

This company has received from the Commanding Officer, New York Navy Yard, thirty

four Colt’s revolvers for alteration. Enclosed is a receipt for twenty five of them completing

the number. They will be put into the works as soon as possible.79

295

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

One month later, on December 15, Franklin acknowledged the receipt of additional revolvers:

Captain,

The nine Colt’s revolvers referred to in your letter of the 6th inst., to be sent from the

Boston Navy Yard for alteration have been received & placed in the works.80

THE YEAR OF 1876

With the arrival of these revolvers at the Colt factory, the bureau had begun the alteration of the

third batch of Colts. Other small lots were located and shipped to Colt, and on January 29, 1876,

Franklin again contacted the bureau:

Captain,

The Navy pistols in our hands for alteration are now about completed.

Shall we send them when completed to the Navy Yards from which they came, or have

you any directions to give in relation to them?81

On January 31, Jeffers sent two letters to Franklin; the first preceded the arrival of Franklin’s

letter (previous) and the second came after its arrival:

Sirs:

The Bureau has directed 30 Colt’s revolvers to be sent you for alteration from the Norfolk

N.Y. by express.

Sirs:

Your letter of the 29th inst. relative to the disposition of the pistols in your hands for alter-

ation, when completed, is received.

Please send 1/2 of these pistols to the New York N.Y., and the other 1/2 to the Boston

N.Y. and notify the Bureau of the number sent to each yard.82

Franklin responded to these letters on February 3:

Captain,

Your letter of 31st ult. informing this Co. that 30 Colt’s Revolvers have been sent here for

alteration from the Norfolk Navy Yard has been received.

If there is hurry for them, we will put them into hand at once. If there is not, we pre-

fer to complete them in about two months.

In compliance with your instructions of the 31st ult., yesterday the 2nd inst. we

made shipments of altered pistols as follows. The numbers to the two Navy Yards are

not precisely the same, as we sent all of one model to one Yard & and the other to the

other Yard.

To New York Navy Yard

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CHAPTER NINE

53 N.M. Navy Pistols

1 N.M. Navy Pistol Ivory stock

54

Boston Navy Yard

50 O.M. Navy Pistols83

With the delivery of this lot of revolvers, Colt had altered a total of 2,022 revolvers for the

navy, and others were on hand awaiting alteration. The ivory-stocked specimen was the personal

revolver of an officer who had included his with a lot shipped from New York. Several personal

revolvers were altered in this manner, the officers being liable for the costs.

Jeffers acknowledged receipt of Franklin’s letter on February 5:

Sirs:

Your letter of the 3rd inst., is received. The 30 Colt’s revolvers may be altered at your convenience.

The shipment of the revolvers in compliance with the Bureau’s order of the 31st ult.

is satisfactory.84

On February 16, W. S. Smoot, superintendent of the Remington works, contacted the bureau:

Dear Sir:

We have received from you 987 revolvers for alteration. Are there any more to be sent us?

If so we should have them at once.

Please send us cartridges for proving the arms already altered.85

Jeffers responded two days later:

Sirs:

Your letter of the 16 inst. is received.

The Bureau has directed 6000 cartridges for proving the altered revolvers, to be sent

you from the New York Navy Yard; the empty shells of these after firing are to be returned

to the New York Navy Yard.

There are no more Remington revolvers on hand at present for alteration.86

Jeffers was a little more generous in ordering cartridges in this instance. We can, however,

still see the frugality of his ways in ordering the empty cartridge cases returned for reloading.

On February 23 the bureau located more revolvers and advised Remington that they were

being shipped for alteration. Smoot inquired about these on March 27:

Sir,

Referring to your favor of 23rd February, in which you advise the shipment to us of 35

Remington revolvers, we beg to say that we have received only nine of the revolvers at

this date.87

297

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Remington eventually received the remainder, but not in time to be included in the first lot

altered and returned to the navy.

On May 2, Smoot advised Jeffers that the first lot of revolvers was ready for shipment:

Dear Sir:

We have the first 500 of your revolvers ready for shipment, and would be pleased to know

how they are to be forwarded, and to whom we shall send the invoice. The balance will be

ready in about ten days.

While we are prepared to make this alteration, could we not transform another lot for

you? We should be pleased to receive any further orders in that direction you may see fit

to send us.88

Jeffers sent instructions for shipment two days later:

Sirs:

Your letter of the 2nd inst., relative to the completion of the altered revolvers, is received.

Inasmuch as the Bureau experiences great difficulty in the transfer of freight

from one Pacific R.R. to the other, in consequence of the interest that the Government

has therein, which difficulty you should not have, desires you to ship all the revolvers

you have in hand on completion to the Mare Island Navy Yard; including the freight

charges thereon in your bill for alteration.89

Also on May 4, Jeffers notified Rear Adm. John Rogers, commandant of the Mare Island

yard, of the impending shipment:

Admiral:

The Bureau has directed the Messrs. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y. to send you a quan-

tity of Remington revolvers that have been altered to fire metallic cartridges. Inform the

Bureau when they are received, and they are not to be unpacked, but to be kept in the

cases until needed for issue.90

On June 13, 1876, Smoot again contacted the bureau:

Dear Sir:

We have completed 986 revolvers, being the first lot sent to us, and propose to

forward these at once to the Mare Island Navy Yard, as requested by you.

In addition to the above we have 36 revolvers received from you at a later date.

The alteration of these will not be completed for some time; and, as we wish

to use the money due on the large lot, we propose sending them forward

as above.

We trust this arrangement will be satisfactory to you, and that sending them in two

lots as we propose will not cause you any inconvenience. Our reason for sending them in

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CHAPTER NINE

this way is that owing to the difficulty in making collections in general, we are particu-

larly desirous of having the use of all the funds that we may command.

Hoping that the above will meet with your approval.91

On the same day, Franklin notified Jeffers that the remaining Colt revolvers were ready

for shipment:

Commodore,

Forty five Navy Revolvers sent here for alteration from the New York Navy Yard Jan. 15

last, and thirty, with sundry spare parts sent here for the same purpose from the Norfolk

Navy Yard Feb. 5 last are now ready for shipment. Please advise us as where to ship them.92

On the following day, Smoot notified Jeffers that the Remingtons had been shipped:

Sir:

Today we have forwarded to the “Commandant of the Navy Yard, Mare Island,

California” 987 pistols, 985 of which have been remodeled and refinished in compliance

with orders of the Bureau. The two pistols that have not been remodeled were made by

other manufacturers, and we have no parts to make them the same as the others.

We have the honor of transmitting herewith, invoice, and bill of lading for above,

together with receipt for freight prepaid on same.

We shall be pleased to receive the usual vouchers, at your earliest convenience.93

Jeffers did not acknowledge Franklin’s letter until June 22:

Sirs:

Please send the revolvers referred to in your letter of 13th inst. to the New York N.Y.94

This lot was the last of some 2,098 revolvers that Colt altered for the navy.

Jeffers acknowledged receipt of Remington’s letter of June 14 and forwarded the approved

bill on the twenty-third:

Sirs:

The Bureau encloses approved bill in your favor, amounting to $4283.51 for remodeling

985 Navy pistols & payable by Pay Director Geo. F. Cutter, 59 Broadway, New York. Please

acknowledge receipt.95

It is interesting to compare the Colt and Remington bills. The base unit price of both bids

for altering, refinishing, and restocking revolvers at $4.25 had been the same. When the work was

finished, Colt had managed to escalate the price an average of approximately $.50 per revolver

for spare parts such as triggers, barrel keys, barrels, cylinders, and, in some instances, new

frames. The bureau had approved the use of replacement parts. Remington, on the other hand,

299

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

never broached the subject of replacement parts and had furnished these, as needed, as part of

the original bid price. The bureau had still fared far better than the Ordinance Department in

their dealings with Colt and had approximately twice the number of revolvers altered at about

the same price.

W. M. Benedict responded for Remington on June 26:

Dear Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Bureau’s communication of June 23rd,

1876, enclosing approved bills in our favor, amounting to $4283.51.96

When this shipment of revolvers arrived in California, the rail carrier advised Cdr. Fitzhugh,

ordnance officer at the Mare Island yard, that there were freight charges due. Fitzhugh reported

this to the bureau on August 31:

Commodore:

I am informed by the Agent in San Francisco, of the C.P.R.R., under date of August 24th, 1876,

that twenty three (23) boxes of pistols have been in their warehouse since July 26th, 1876. These

arms are what are referred to in the Bureau’s letter to the Commandant of May 4th, 1876, as

having been ordered from Messrs. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, N.Y. The Pay Director in San

Francisco is unable to get these packages without payment of freight charges, which amounted

to, on August 24th, 1876, twenty seven dollars and ninety two cents. ($27.92) U.S. Currency

and storage to that date—six and one half dollars (6.50) coin. The storage charges of the com-

pany are fifteen cents per day–per ton or a fraction thereof. The Pay Agent in San Francisco is

unable to pay these charges, by the act of Congress relating to the transportation of

Government freight by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Rail Roads.

The Commandant has written to the Secretary of the Navy, relating to this and

other cases.97

After receiving this report, Jeffers inquired of Remington what had gone wrong with the

shipment. E. Roche responded for Remington on November 4:

Sir,

We have the honor of enclosing herein, a communication from the agent of the trans-

portation company, relative to the extra charges for freight on the pistols forwarded to

California in August last per your order. It appears that the weight was short changed at

the shipping point which is the cause of the additional charge referred to.

If the Bureau desires, we will pay the sum required, charging same in our next invoice.

We now have on hand some 35 pistols subject to order of the Bureau, and we shall be

pleased to comply with any orders you may choose to give relative to the shipment thereof.98

Roche erred in stating the revolvers were shipped in August; they had been shipped in June.

He enclosed the report from the freight agent in his letter:

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CHAPTER NINE

International Fast Freight Line

Contracting Agent for States of New York and Vermont

NO.44 Railroad Street, Syracuse, N.Y.

Oct. 21, 1876

E. Remington & Sons

Referring to the attached letter in reference to balance due of freight charges on shipment

of 23 cases of pistols to U.S. N.Y., Mare Island Cal. I have investigated this matter and

find the charges of $27.92 to be just. The railway agent at your station in billing made a

mistake in the weight billing them 630 lbs short of the actual weight & the Central &

U.P. Railways ask for the above sum on the 630 lbs which they are justly entitled to

together with the storage on the same.

Yours very truly

C. G. Beers99

THE YEAR OF 1877

Further references to the final lot of altered Remington revolvers were not located in the archive’s

files for the year 1876. However, on January 4, 1877, J. Norton, acting for the Remington firm,

billed the bureau for these alterations; his letter sheds more light on the destination of this lot:

Sir,

Enclosed we have the honor of sending you our Bill for remodeling the balance, (35) of

pistols—Shipped to the New York Navy Yard in November last, as per your instructions 6

November, 1876.

In accordance with said instructions, we have included in our bill, the additional

freight paid by us on remodeled pistols sent to Navy Yard, Mare Island, 14 June, 1876.100

In November, Remington had paid the freight charge deficit on the 985 revolvers shipped to

California, but there was a lack of communication between East and West, and the railroad

freight agent in San Francisco was never advised that the additional charges had been paid. The

revolvers were not secured until February 1877, and only after John S. Cunningham, navy pay-

master in San Francisco, had pledged his word that the charges would be forthcoming. On

February 9, an exasperated Cunningham sent the following letter to Admiral Rogers, comman-

dant of the Mare Island yard:

My dear Admiral:

Please read Jeffers official endorsement directing to pay charges on Remington’s freight.

He makes a mistake—or his clerk does in advising him. Remington did not pay enough

“back charges,” by an error in the East.

I wash my hands of the bill. The result of the Bureau’s refusal to pay, or to call on

Remington for the whole amount, as the Bureau ought to do, will be simply this, and

nothing more—Namely:

301

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

That neither you, nor Jeffers, or any other Chief of the Bureau, or the Secretary of the

Navy, nor the Pay Office here will be permitted to take one ounce of freight from the

Depot of the Rail Road till the charges are paid down in cash. I had to pledge my official

word for the payment of this bill before the pistols could be got hold of. Jeffers does not

comprehend the bill, Let it slide! We shall have no more trouble about freight bills. The

Rail Road Companies will simply sell us out every time.101

An endorsement on this letter reads: “Respectfully referred to Bureau of Ordnance, with

bills.” After receiving this letter, Jeffers finally approved the bills for payment, but he was very

upset by the embarrassment and inconvenience that this had caused the bureau. Looking for a

place to lay the blame for this fiasco, he selected Remington and took them to task for his prob-

lems. On February 19, he sent this caustic letter to the firm:

Sirs:

The Bureau refers to you herewith a letter relative to “back charges” on the pistols to

Mare Island N.Y. showing some of the trouble and inconvenience the Department has

been compelled to endure by a want of compliance on your part with its request of

May 4th last, to pay freight charges to destination.

It regrets exceedingly the loose manner in which this matter has been attended to,

showing a want of business capacity it could least expect on the part of a house of your

standing, and in consequence of which it has now to pay, in a round about way, the

amount of back charges $43.06, which a strict compliance with its instructions would

have rendered unnecessary after two reminders.102

Jeffers may have felt better after getting this off of his chest, but Smoot, in a response for

Remington, refuted Jeffers’s allegations on February 28:

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Bureau’s communication of the

10th instant.

While we very much regret that you have been subjected to any annoyance in receiv-

ing our freight at the Mare Island Navy Yard, we decline to accept any responsibility

therefore. In compliance with your request, we directed the New York Central Railroad to

forward the revolvers through to Mare Island, and charge us the freight. They afterward

informed us that they had been unable to do so; and while we regret that they should

have failed to do as instructed by us, we can not see that we are any more responsible for

this occurrence than for the breaking down of one of their bridges, or anything else over

which we have no control.103

This ended the episode concerning the freight charges, and with the revolvers finally in hand

at the Mare Island yard, the bureau ordered cartridges for the revolvers from the United States

Cartridge Company. They responded on February 5:

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CHAPTER NINE

Sir,

We have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Bureau’s order for 5000 Cal. .38 car-

tridges for revolvers to be sent to Mare Island N.Y. Cal. dated Feby. 2, 1877 and to enclose

invoice of those shipped this day.104

There were only two lots of Remington revolvers altered for the bureau, 985 of which

were shipped to Mare Island and 35 to the New York yard. As with the Colt alterations, there

was more than one model of Remington altered; Beals, Elliot, and New Models were all

involved. The revolvers altered for the navy are easily distinguished from those alterations

Remington performed on their stock of commercial navy revolvers in the early 1870s. The

metalwork on the navy’s revolvers was re-blued during alteration; the metal polishing nec-

essary for this operation has left many of the barrel addresses indistinct, and some have

almost been obliterated. The serial number range is between 13,500 and 32,000 (figures 144,

145, and 146).

In addition to the serial number, there is an assembly number under the barrel, on the right

grip frame, on the rear of the breech plate, on the rear of the ejector housing, and sometimes on

the loading lever and trigger guard. These parts were numbered to facilitate reassembly at the

time of alteration; the alteration numbers range from 1 to 1,020, corresponding to the number

of revolvers altered.

The bureau apparently gave no orders for inspection, either at the Remington Armory or at

the receiving navy yards. It is possible that the thirty-five alterations shipped to the New York

yard were inspected. The ordnance inspectors at this location seemed to be more diligent in their

duties than those at other navy yards. I must confess that I have never seen one so inspected. No

inspector’s marks should be expected on the revolvers shipped to Mare Island, unless, of course,

the revolver was one of the very few that had received a postwar inspection to show that the

revolvers were still serviceable. As Remington furnished new cylinders for the altered revolvers,

303

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Figure 144Beals Navy Revolver, serial number 13,707. Originally delivered to the Bureau of Ordnance as percussion in1862. One of 1,020 revolvers altered to .38 center fire by Remington for the bureau in 1875. (Author’s collection)

the only possible marks remaining would be the small anchor on top of the barrel. During repol-

ishing of the barrels, even this stamp may have been obliterated.

In July 1877, the U.S.S. Lackawanna arrived at Mare Island from an extended tour of duty.

The ship’s gunner requested a survey of thirteen Whitney revolvers that were in the arms locker.

The survey board, which was comprised of three officers appointed by the commandant of the

yard, convened on July 10 and reported as follows:

The revolvers were found in perfect order. They are of the old pattern. With the sanction

of the Bureau of Ordnance they might be turned into stores, and their places supplied

with a like number of the converted Remingtons with metallic cartridges, a quantity of

which are in store, and which we respectfully recommend.105

These Whitney revolvers had twice escaped the bureau’s surplus arms sales of 1873 and 1875.

The following month, Edmond R. Colhearn, who had replaced Rogers as commandant of

the Mare Island yard, acknowledged orders from the bureau on August 25:

Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following communications from the

Bureau,—Viz:

Letter Aug. 14, 1877, directing the exchange of all revolvers other than B.L. on vessels

at this station for the Remington B.L. Revolver.106

Once Jeffers’s order of August 14 had been complied with, some of the navy’s Remington

revolvers had come full circle; that is, after being out of service for two years, they were once

again issued to officers for sea duty. We shall later see that some of these revolvers were never

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CHAPTER NINE

Figure 145Elliot–New Model Navy Transition Revolver, serial number 20,770. Originally delivered to the Bureau ofOrdnance as percussion in 1863. One of 1,020 revolvers altered to .38 center fire by Remington for the bureau in1875. (Author’s collection)

issued before being ordered east again in the 1880s. There is little mention of these revolvers in

any of the bureau’s correspondence until 1885.

Before proceeding further with this narrative, we shall examine a few events that have a

bearing on the rest of our story. In 1879 the government had a revenue surplus for the first time

in several years. This trend continued into the 1880s and in 1883, Congress appropriated funds to

start replacing some of the navy’s outdated vessels. Money was allotted for the construction of

four steel cruisers, and with this infusion of new blood, the U.S. Navy would start showing a

stronger world presence.

On July 1, 1881, Capt. Montgomery Sicard replaced Jeffers as chief of the bureau. Sicard

would prove to have very different ideas than his predecessor about revolvers as a navy

sidearm. Under Sicard’s command, revolvers were no longer regarded as ornamental

appendages, and the bureau of ordnance required periodic revolver target practice by the

ships’ officers and crews.

THE YEAR OF 1885

In the early months of 1885, a series of events concerning the Remington revolvers was set in

motion that would span almost four years and, when examined in retrospect, seems ludicrous.

It started when the bureau received reports concerning malfunctions of the Remington

revolvers, first in a survey conducted on the U.S.S. Monocacy (figure 147) and in later reports

from the Ossipat and the Ossipee (figure 148). Most of these reports originated from the Asiatic

Squadron, as most of the revolvers had originally been shipped by Remington to the Mare

Island Navy Yard.

In March, the Essex, on arrival at the New York yard, reported difficulties in firing the

Remington revolvers at target practice. On March 7, Sicard sent the following request to Capt.

R. Chandler, commandant of the New York yard:

305

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Figure 146New Model Navy Revolver, serial number 27,781. Originally delivered to the Bureau of Ordnance as percussion in1864. One of 1,020 revolvers altered to .38 center fire by Remington for the bureau in 1875. (Author’s collection)

306

CHAPTER NINE

Figure 147U.S.S. Monocacy.(Courtesy: Libraryof Congress)

Figure 148U.S.S. Ossipee.(Courtesy: Libraryof Congress)

Figure 149U.S.S. Essex. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

Sir:

As considerable difficulty was experienced with the Remington pistols on the “Essex,”

the Bureau requests that twenty (20) of those received from that vessel be sent to the

Naval Ordnance Proving Ground, Annapolis, Md., for inspection.107

Sicard also notified the U.S. Naval Proving Ground of the impending arrival of the

revolvers by making the following endorsement on the report from the Essex (figure 149):

First Endorsement:

Respectfully referred to the Naval Ord. Proving Ground.

The Bureau has ordered twenty (20) Remington pistols, received from the

“Essex,” to be sent you for examination and report on the probable cause of the defects,

with suggestions for remedying the same.108

On March 28, Cdr. William Mayhew Folger sent the following memorandum from

Annapolis:

Memorandum for the Chief of Bureau of Ordnance

Regarding the twenty Remington pistols recently received from New York:

Has not an error been committed sending pistols instead of revolvers, as mentioned

in the Survey from the Monocacy and report from the Essex? I have fired ten rounds

from the pistols and find them in fair order.109

Folger would later succeed Sicard as head of the bureau in 1890. In his memo, we once

again see confusion caused by use of the term “pistol” in place of “revolver.” This error was

rectified, and the revolvers arrived at Annapolis during the first week in April.

About this same time, the bureau was called upon to arm a naval expedition to the

Isthmus of Panama. Supplying revolvers for this party proved to be a problem, inasmuch as

most of the revolvers on the East Coast had already been allocated. After weighing his

options, Sicard decided to purchase new revolvers for the Isthmian party. In pursuance of this

end, Sicard sent the following telegram to the Colt firm on April 3:

When can you deliver at New York one hundred and seventy Navy revolvers? Have you

the Navy revolvers double action as well as single?110

Colt replied by telegraph on the same day:

Have plenty pistols single and double action that take Navy thirty eight caliber car-

tridge but not Navy Model of pistol. Have Two hundred Army pistols already inspected

by War Dept.111

Sicard replied to this message by telegraph on the same day:

307

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Send immediately to the New York Navy Yard one hundred and seventy revolvers caliber

thirty eight, single action, nearest navy model, subject to inspection and approval as to

size. State price.112

Also on the same day, Sicard telegraphed Chandler at the New York yard advising him of the

impending arrival of the revolvers:

The Bureau has ordered the Colt’s Arms Co. to send you one hundred and seventy (170)

revolvers, caliber .38, single action.

An officer will be sent by the Bureau to inspect them before acceptance.113

Sicard again selected Folger as inspector for the Colt revolvers and advised him of his duties

by telegraph:

April 3, 1885

Proceed to Navy Yard, New York by first train to inspect one hundred and seventy new

Colt’s revolvers for the Isthmus party. Instructions and the usual orders will await you at

New York.114

Folger responded to this on the following morning:

Telegram received. Orders obeyed. Please allow inspector at New York to issue six rounds

cartridge per revolver for test.115

Once again on April 3, Sicard contacted the New York yard, but this time by letter:

Sir:

The Bureau encloses a letter to Commander Folger giving instructions in regard to the

inspection of the Colt revolvers ordered to the Yard under your command.

Please afford him the necessary facilities to inspect these revolvers and send such as he

may accept with the seamen who may embark to the Isthmus.116

Sicard also included his instructions to Folger:

Sir:

The Bureau has ordered the Colt’s Arms Co. to deliver at once to the New York N.Y. 170

revolvers—single action, Cal. .38.

These revolvers will not be of the exact navy size or pattern, and the Bureau

being pressed for time has not been able to ascertain exactly how they differ from the

regulation arm.

It is thought however that they will probably be shorter and somewhat lighter other-

wise. If in your opinion the action is perfect and well finished and if the revolver will take

308

CHAPTER NINE

the navy ammunition and are well adapted to naval use and otherwise in good condition,

they may be accepted.

The Bureau desires a few rounds fired from some of these revolvers in your inspection

if there is time before their shipment becomes necessary and if ammunition is available.

The object is to send them to the Isthmus with the Command who are to use them

if practicable.

Advise the Bureau by telegram of the number accepted.117

Colt also advised the bureau by telegraph that the revolvers had been shipped:

Hartford, April 3, 1885

We send two hundred tonight in boxes of one hundred pistols each. Select one hundred

and seventy and return remainder. Price eight dollars each.118

Knowing how exacting ordnance inspectors could be, Colt had evidently sent extra

revolvers in case there were any rejections. On April 4, after advising the bureau that he had

received his instructions, Folger boarded a train for New York and made connections to arrive

at the New York yard that afternoon. On arrival, he immediately started inspecting the await-

ing revolvers. To unpack, inspect, test fire, and then clean the revolvers after firing would have

been an enormous undertaking for one man. Folger, no doubt, had assistance from the ord-

nance personnel at the New York yard to complete this task on the evening of the same day.

While returning to Annapolis on the following day, Folger advised Sicard by telegraph that he

had completed his inspection:

Odenton, Md. April 5, 1885

Finished firing all last evening. Rejected five mechanical faults. Actions generally good,

well finished. But I urge strongly against purchasing any unless unavoidable. Barrels three

inches shorter than service. No trigger guard. Too light for service charge. Generally

unsuited for military purposes.119

On the following day, Folger made a detailed report:

Sir:

Confirming my telegram of the 5th inst., from Odenton, I have the honor to report that in

obedience to your telegraphic orders of the 3rd instant, I inspected on Saturday P.M., 4th

instant, 200 Colt’s revolvers at the Navy Yard, New York.

Of these, five, bearing factory Nos. 15999, 17023, 17200, 15647, and 14510 were rejected

for faulty mechanical adjustment.

The remainder—each of which was fired five rounds—were in fair condition. They

were well finished and were chambered to receive the naval service ammunition.

The following defective features—considering their proposed issue for service purposes

are respectfully noted:

309

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

1st. The barrel is 3.3 inches shorter than that of the service arm, giving a greatly

reduced effective range.

2nd. The weapon is about one half the weight of the service arm, entailing a violent

recoil when using service ammunition.

3rd. The small size of the hammer and absence of the trigger guard render the piece a

dangerous weapon in the hands of ill taught seamen.

4th. The grip frame is rubber covered.

They are therefore unsuited for military purposes, and unless an emergency arises

rendering their acquisition unavoidable, such action is not recommended.120

Sicard was faced with a dilemma. His plans to supply the Isthmian party with new Colt

revolvers had developed some flaws, but he had not yet played all of his cards. On April 6, he sent

three telegrams in quick succession:

Commodore R. Chandler

Commandant, New York Navy Yard

Hold new Colt’s revolvers. They are not yet accepted. One hundred and thirty five

(135) ordered from Norfolk Navy Yard by express.

Commodore William T. Truxton

Commandant, Norfolk Navy Yard

Send immediately by express to New York Navy Yard one hundred thirty five (135)

Colt’s revolvers. Others ordered from Mare Island to replace.

Commodore John H. Russell

Commandant, Mare Island Navy Yard

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Figure 150U.S.S. Pensacola. (Courtesy:Library of Congress)

Send immediately to Norfolk Navy Yard by fast freight, one hundred thirty five

(135) revolvers.121

Sicard was borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. The Colt revolvers ordered from the Norfolk

yard were originally allocated for the U.S.S. Pensacola, flagship of Rear Adm. S. R. Franklin,

which was scheduled to depart shortly for an extended tour of European duty (figure 150). The

Isthmian party would be supplied with Colt alterations, and the revolvers ordered to replace

them were Remington alterations that had been on the West Coast since 1876.

On April 9, Folger made his report on the Remington revolvers sent to Annapolis from the

Essex for testing:

Sir,

The defective action in the Remington revolvers which was illustrated in but a single spec-

imen of the twenty received from the New York Navy Yard is due to the following causes,

absent in Colt’s Naval revolver from which it differs but slightly.

1. The countersinking in the cylinders for cartridge rims permits the accumulation

of dirt or lubricant to such an extent that the heads are forced backward against the

breech plate, producing such friction that the hammers can not be raised nor the

cylinders revolved.

2. The part known as the “hand and spring” which through the movement of the

hammer produces one sixth of a turn is of less power in the drift and leverage of the

spring than obtained with the Colt.

3. The radius of the cylinder pinion (if this be its name) or the circular ratchet to

which the power is applied to produce revolution of the cylinder, is shorter and therefore

less powerful than with the Colt.

4. The Remington cylinder weighs fifty grammes [sic] heavier than that of the Colt,

thus needing greater power to produce revolution.

Conclusions:

It does not appear to be practicable to make any alteration which will ensure a

permanently satisfactory performance.

The countersink face of the cylinder might however, be filed down which would

obviate the difficulty regarding the accumulation of lubricant; the latter as in the Colt,

being then permitted to flow outward from the cartridge rims.

This being, apparently, the principal defect, it is respectfully recommended that the

alteration referred to be made (at this station) on a single specimen, with subsequent tests

and reports to the Bureau.

The ammunition used here did not behave as described in the survey on board the

U.S.S. Monocacy.

It is not believed that boring the countersink deeper as recommended by the survey

would obviate the difficulty in question.122

Folger enclosed a sketch of his proposed modification (figure 151).

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

312

CHAPTER NINE

Figure 151Cdr. William Folger’s sketch that was includedwith recommendations for modification ofcylinders. (Courtesy: National Archives)

Figure 152Close-up view of frameand cylinder of an alteredRemington Navy Revolver.The cylinder is one that hasbeen altered again by theBureau of Ordnance. Notespace between rear ofcylinder and breechblock.(Author’s collection)

Sicard endorsed this report on the following day:

Respectfully returned to Naval Ordnance Proving Ground.

The Bureau authorizes the Remington revolver to be altered as herein recommended, and

experimented with.123

Folger submitted a report on the modified revolver to the bureau on April 14 (figure 152):

Sir:

In compliance with your instructions of the 10th, instant, I have the honor to submit the

results of a test of a Remington revolver after making the alteration suggested in N.O.P.G.

No. 61 of the 9th, instant.

The piece which showed the most marked defects in the particulars reported in service

(Factory No. 312) was selected, and the rear end of the cylinder turned down until the car-

tridge rim recesses were removed. It was then fired 100 rounds without cleaning. Although

working somewhat stiffly toward the end of the firing test, the performance was entirely

satisfactory throughout, there being no failure to revolve the cylinder in any case.

It is therefore respectfully recommended that all revolvers of this pattern be altered

as described,—care should be exercised however not to turn down below the bottom of

the recess.

I will note a further defect, not mentioned in the Monocacy’s survey or the Essex

report—the flimsy manner in which the ejector is secured to the barrel and would suggest

that the service effectiveness of the piece might be notably improved by the adoption of the

Colt spiral spring ejector and the removal of the hinged rammer, which last appears to be

a superfluous relic of the weapon in its former condition as a muzzle-loader.124

The navy had not acquired any Remington revolvers with less than five-digit serial numbers.

The factory number mentioned in the previous report was evidently an assembly number that

Remington had stamped on various parts at the time of alteration.

On May 2, the ordnance officer at the Norfolk Navy Yard sent the following to his command-

ing officer:

Sir:

Referring to the Bureau’s letter of the 30th ult. inquiring whether the “Pensacola” is ready

for sea so far as Ordnance is concerned, I have the honor to inform you that she is ready

except as to the revolvers ordered to be sent from the Mare Island Yard, which have not

yet been received.

They were shipped by “Empire Line,” Fast Freight, from Omaha, April 21st, 1885 and

are daily expected to arrive.

The Quartermaster, U.S.A., at Omaha stated in a letter of the 21st, April 1885, that

they might be expected to reach here about May 1st, 1885.

C. S. Cotton125

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Sicard, having received a copy of the above letter, added the following endorsement on May 4:

Returned to the Norfolk Navy Yard.

Please use every effort to expedite the delivery of the shipment in order that the ship may

receive the revolvers in season.126

On May 6, Sicard decided to pursue the revolvers on his own:

Empire Fast Freight Line

Baltimore, Md.

Sirs:

The Bureau is informed that a shipment of revolvers was made April 21st by the

Quartermaster at Omaha, Neb. to the Norfolk Navy Yard.

If your manifest shows this shipment, please look into this matter and expedite the

delivery of the articles, as the vessel is awaiting their arrival.127

On May 18, the inspector of ordnance at the Norfolk yard reported that the Pensacola had

departed for England, minus her allotment of revolvers:

Sir:

I have to report the departure of the U.S.S. Pensacola for sea on Saturday, May 16th, 1885,

without her outfit of revolvers, every exertion has been made to hasten their delivery, but

none has been received to date.128

The 135 Remington revolvers were eventually located and finally arrived at the Norfolk yard

in the latter part of June. Norfolk notified Sicard of their arrival; he endorsed the report and for-

warded it to the Washington Navy Yard on July 2, 1885:

Respectfully referred to Washington Navy Yard.

The Bureau has directed the Norfolk Navy Yard to send you 135 Remington revolvers,

cal. 38.

Please alter them in accordance with the recommendations made and send

them to Comdg. Officer, U.S.S. Pensacola, care of B. F. Stevens, 4 Trafalgar Square,

London England.129

The recommended alterations were those submitted to the bureau by Folger on April 14.

On July 22, Sicard notified the Pensacola that the revolvers were being forwarded:

Rear Admiral S. R. Franklin

Sir:

Referring to the revolvers (assigned to the “Pensacola”) that did not arrive at Norfolk

before the sailing of the ship:

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After a long time, these arms were found by the railroad company and delivered

at Norfolk.

They have been sent to the Washington Navy Yard for some necessary repairs, and as

soon as these are completed, shipment will be made to you.130

The United States Government Agency in England acknowledged receipt of the revolvers on

October 5:

Commodore Montgomery Sicard, U.S. Navy

Sir

In reply to your letter of August 12, I have the honor to inform you of the arrival in London

of the box of revolvers addressed to the U.S.S. “Pensacola” and assigned to my care.

In consequence of the non-receipt of the bill of lading from New York, considerable

delay has occurred in clearing and securing the box.

The difficulties have now been overcome, and the box will now be sent to the

“Pensacola” at Southhampton, as soon as practicable.

The small box for the “Kearsarge” was received and forwarded to the ship on Sept. 11.

B. F. Stevens131

The 135 Remington revolvers had finally arrived in England and would soon be delivered to

the Pensacola, but the trip had been anything but uneventful. After being shipped from the Mare

Island yard in April, the revolvers had been lost for over two months in transit on the railroad

before being located and delivered to Norfolk in late June. After their arrival, they were for-

warded to Washington for modification and again forwarded by ship to England, where they

were impounded by British customs for lack of requisite documentation from New York.

Sicard managed to extract some measure of satisfaction from the railroad that had lost the

revolvers. The shipment had been made by express, and the railroad had the audacity to try to

collect express charges after the revolvers had been delivered. Although the real reason was never

stated in any of the correspondence, Sicard managed to delay payment of these charges for

almost two years. Also in October, the U.S.S. Monocacy, stationed in China, sent a requisition for

ordnance articles including revolvers. The cover letter again described the difficulties encoun-

tered with Remington revolvers:

U.S. Str. Monocacy, (3rd Rate)

Canton, China, October 26, 1885

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit herewith a requisition, in triplicate, for various articles

in the Ordnance Department.

In relation to the revolvers, I would respectfully request that this vessel may be

furnished with those of the latest pattern.

Of the old revolvers, the board which condemned them, states the cylinders

too close to the breech piece, so that the cartridges jam and prevent the former from

315

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

turning. This occurs frequently while loading and invariable after firing one or two

cartridges. To remedy this, and in accordance with the board of survey of Jany 21,

1885, the rear of each cylinder was recessed to allow more room for the expansion of

the base of the cartridge. This alteration did not relieve the cylinder, but reduced the

power of the firing pin by allowing the cartridge to go too far forward. During a late

target practice it was noted that many cartridges that did not explode were only

slightly indented by the firing pin. The workmanship is poor, differing in different

pistols, the sights and extractor rods being easily detached; the gate spring is weak

and the gate liable to drop open. At a recent target practice in attempting to fire 300

cartridges 160 of them missed fire. The failure due, we believe, to no fault of the

cartridges. There was incessant jambing [sic] of parts of the mechanism, frequent

refusal of some chambers to take cartridges which others would receive—in short

difficulty was experienced in loading, firing, and extracting. The revolver is obsolete

in type, bad in workmanship, complicated in construction, and, in our opinion,

totally unfit for issue. We recommend that they be condemned and turned into

stores in the United States.

1648 revolver cartridges, in our opinion are good and fit for issue. A number taken

from different boxes were fired successfully from a Colt’s revolver and caused no difficulty.

The failure of nearly two hundred of them to explode at a recent target practice, we find

due to the defective revolver, referred to above, in which they were tried.

Frances Heggurson

Comd’g U.S.S. “Monocacy”132

Particular attention should be paid to Heggurson’s description of the modifications per-

formed on the Remington revolver in an effort to alleviate difficulties in firing. I recently located

a navy revolver that had been modified in the manner described and that could very well be the

revolver cited (figure 153). However, it seems that this type of modification was attempted by the

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Figure 153Navy revolver cylinderswith cartridges inserted.Number 1 is an originalcylinder as supplied byRemington. Number 2was altered by the ord-nance officer on a vesselin the Far East. Number3 is a specimen alteredby the Bureau ofOrdnance at theWashington Navy Yard.(Author’s collection)

survey boards of more than one vessel stationed in Asia, and from the information contained in

reports to the bureau, more than one revolver was modified on some vessels. We may never

know how many revolvers were altered in this manner; I estimate less than thirty, thereby mak-

ing this type of modification extremely rare.

The bureau’s next message concerning Remington revolvers was sent to the U.S.S. Palos (fig-

ure 154), also stationed in Asia:

Washington City, Nov. 19, 1885

Lieut. Comdr. Thos. Nelson

Commdg. U.S.S. Palos

Sir,

The Bureau has received your report on Gatling Guns, Small Arms, &c. for the quarter

ending Sept. 30, 1885 and noted your remarks on the behavior of the Remington revolvers.

You are authorized to have turned off the metal of the rear end of the chamber cylin-

der as far as the bottom of the recesses for the cartridge rims, care being taken not to turn

below the bottom of these recesses.

This course was pursued with the Remington revolvers lately furnished to the

“Pensacola,” after which 100 rounds were fired from one of them, its performance

being satisfactory.

The part to be removed is shown in red on the appended sketch.133

The appended sketch is shown in figure 151. Compare this sketch with the cylinders in figure 153.

On the following day, Sicard sent a blanket letter to the commandants of all navy yards

except Washington:

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Figure 154U.S.S. Palos.(Courtesy: Libraryof Congress)

To Portsmouth, Boston, New York, League Island, Norfolk, Pensacola, M.I. Navy Yards.

Commandant Navy Yard,

Sir:

Please send all Remington revolvers cal. 38, turned in from ships, to the Washington Navy

Yard, for alteration.134

On the same day, he also notified the Washington yard with a fourth endorsement on

Folger’s report of April 14:

Respectfully referred to the Washington Navy Yard.

The Bureau has directed the Navy Yards to send you all the Remington revolvers that are

turned in by vessels.

Please alter them as herein recommended, and test them with two chamberfuls [sic]

each, reporting results.135

Sicard’s orders of November 20 created some confusion and elicited the following response

from the ordnance officer at the New York yard:

New York, November 23, 1885

Memorandum for Chief of Bureau of Ordnance,

Referring to the Bureau’s order of the 20th inst., No. 915. I respectfully request to be

informed if it is the Bureau’s intention to have all the Remington revolvers, Cal. .38

now on hand, and which (excepting the 42 recently received from Washington) have

all heretofore been turned in by ships, to be sent to the Washington Navy Yard

for alteration, or only those in excess of the number appropriated for the

U.S.S. “Tallapoosa.”

Geo. W. Coffin136

Sicard’s endorsement on this letter was added the following day:

Nov. 24/85. Respectfully returned to the N.Y. New York.

All Remington revolvers cal. . 38 that have not been turned off at rear of cylinder are to be

sent to the Washington N.Y.137

From the West Coast came yet another query in regard to the bureau’s order of November 20:

Mare Island, Cal.

Nov. 30, 1885

Sir:

Referring to the Bureau’s order of Nov. 20/85.

I have the honor to report that there are in store 138 Remington revolvers Cal. .38, that

have never been unpacked since their arrival here, which I will retain.

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CHAPTER NINE

Also that there are 58 Remington revolvers turned in from ships, (42 from the

“Adams” and 16 from different sources) which will be shipped immediately.

Rich’d M. Cutts

Inspector of Ordnance138

The endorsement on this letter was written one week later:

Dec. 7/85

Respectfully returned to Mare Island Navy Yard.

The 138 Remington revolvers herein mentioned are also to be shipped to the Washington

Navy Yard.139

THE YEAR OF 1886

On January 4, 1886, the inspector of ordnance at Washington made a report on a lot of

Remington revolvers recently modified at the yard:

Commodore W. W. Queen, U.S. Navy

Commandant Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.

Sir:

I have the honor to report that nine (9) Remington revolvers have been altered and tested

in accordance with the Bureau’s order of November 20th 1885.

There were no misfires. The cylinders revolved easily, and did not become much

heated. It was found that the cylinders are not entirely interchangeable, inasmuch as they

work much better in some frames than others.

Cost of alteration, ten (10) cents each.140

The next episode in this narrative was stimulated by the arrival at the bureau of another

report from the Asiatic Squadron:

U.S.S. “Palos,” 4th Rate

Chemulpo, Korea

January 18, 1886

Sir,

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Bureau’s letter of Nov. 19/85 informing me

that a tripod for short Gatling and three sets of shoes and bolts, have been ordered to be

sent to this vessel.

Also letter of same date (No. 915) authorizing alteration of Remington Revolvers

&c enclosing diagram for same. In this connection I would respectfully state that

previous to my arrival at Shanghai, in September last, the revolvers were found at

target practice, to be utterly useless owing to jamming of the cylinder after first fire.

A survey was held at Shanghai, dated October 10th of which a copy has been

319

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

forwarded to the Bureau, on these arms, containing the following recommendation,

Viz “We recommend countersinking the rear of the cylinder for receiving cartridges

so as to allow the base of the cartridges to lie close.” In pursuance of this recommen-

dation the rear of the chambers or the recesses in the base of the cylinder were deep-

ened so that the base of the cartridges, when in place, lay just inside the plane of the

cylinder-base and the breech-block filed up true to allow the cylinder to revolve freely

in front of it. This work was done by an expert, (the Foreman of the Machine shop of

Farnham & Co.) and after completion was tested by firing six rounds (shots) from

each revolver. After several trials of this kind, all except four, were made to fire six

shots without serious jamming. Subsequently, however, when used at target practice

by the officers, it was found that nearly all of them still jammed before the cylinder

was emptied, some firing only 2 or 3 shots, and then so jammed it became necessary

to take the piece apart in order to clear it. Occasionally one may be fired and the

cylinder emptied without jamming, but there is nothing certain about its performance

after reloading and my experience with these, since this work was done, proves that

they are unreliable and apt to jam any time after the first shot. When I reach a place

where such work can be done, I will have a couple of them altered in accordance with

the Bureau’s instructions and report results.

Before receipt of the Bureau’s letter, I had ordered a second survey on these arms, and

I forward herewith a copy of same, & also “Quarterly Requisition” for stores, both of

which are respectfully submitted for the Bureau’s action especially as regards the revolvers

in question.

I am very respectfully

Thos. Nelson

Lt. Commander, Commanding141

I invite the reader’s close attention to this report. From the details given, twenty Remington

revolvers on this vessel were modified by deepening the cartridge head recesses. In addition,

metal was removed from the front of the breech plates. Also, take note that the mistake made

during a similar experiment on the Monocacy was not repeated, that is, countersinking the

chambers so deep that the firing pin had difficulty striking the cartridge primer. This modifica-

tion would have created yet a fourth variation, one that I have yet to encounter.

On February 3, the bureau sent the following messages:

Washington Navy Yard.

Sir:

Please send immediately to the Norfolk Navy Yard for “Swatara.”

Fifty-two (52) Remington revolvers, cal. .38.

New York Navy Yard. (Telegram)

Send immediately to the Navy Yard Norfolk, Va., Seventy eight hundred (7800) revolver

ball cartridges, caliber thirty eight (38), For “Swatara;” sails Saturday.

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Commandant,

Norfolk Navy Yard.

Sir:

Please exchange the fifty-two (52) navy pistols, with accoutrements, in the “Swatara” for

fifty two (52), Remington revolvers, which have been ordered sent you from the

Washington Navy Yard.

The revolver cartridge boxes and frogs are to be supplied from stock on hand. The

Bureau has directed the New York Navy Yard to send you 7800 cartridges for the revolvers.142

Finally, we have a clue to explain the shortage of revolvers in the navy. It seems the bureau

was replacing the Remington single-shot pistols with revolvers, and revolvers were being fur-

nished to arm seamen as well as officers. This was in contradiction to the policies that had been

in effect in the navy for many years.

Also in February, the ordnance officer at Mare Island, being somewhat confused by the

series of events concerning the Remington revolvers, forwarded the following letter to his com-

manding officer:

Mare Island, Cal., Feb. 30, 1886

Commodore John H. Russell, U.S.N.

Sir:

Referring to the Bureau’s order of Nov. 20/85, directing that all Remington revolvers,

cal. .38 turned in by ships, be sent to the Washington Navy Yard for alteration, and to the

Bureau’s endorsement of Dec. 7/85, on letter No. 91, of Nov. 30/85, relating to Remington

revolvers that had never been used:

I have the honor to report that on Dec. 10/85, 58 Remington revolvers and on

Dec. 15/85 138 Remington revolvers, were sent East, they being all the revolvers in store.

Under req. No. 23 of Dec. 15/85, approved Dec. 23/85, the Inspector of Ordnance

required for 138 B.L. revolvers, cal. .38 to “take the place of those sent East.”

There were 90 Remington revolvers, cal. .38, of exactly the same pattern as those sent

East, received in store yesterday, from the Washington Navy Yard.

I respectfully request information as to the disposition to be made of these revolvers.

Henry Glass

Inspector of Ordnance143

Russell was apparently as much in the dark as his inspector. He forwarded Glass’s letter to

the bureau, and on March 2, Sicard made the following endorsement:

Respectfully returned to the Mare Island Navy Yard.

The rear of the cylinder of the revolvers herein mentioned, was turned off, to prevent

jamming, which has been a serious defect in all the Remington revolvers.

The revolvers received from the Washington Navy Yard are to be issued to service,

as required.144

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

The next report on Remington revolvers was dated August 11 and came from Nelson, cap-

tain of the Palos:

Shanghai, China

Sir,

With reference to Bureau’s letter of November 19th, 1885, (No. 915) relating to Remington

revolvers, I have the honor to report that in obedience to instructions therein contained,

“To have turned off the metal of the rear of the cylinder as far as the recesses for the car-

tridge rims.” I have had two of the revolvers so altered and tested with the following

results. The cylinder jammed after the first fire, and on a second trial jammed three times

in six fires. I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter of the Ord. Officer of this ship,

giving particulars of the test. In view of the failure of the first two to work properly, after

being altered, I have had nothing done to the remaining eighteen.145

Enclosed with Nelson’s letter was a copy of a report from the Palos’s ordnance officer. In

essence, the report was the same as Nelson’s. This report raises the possibility of yet another vari-

ation in the manner in which some of the Remington cylinders were modified. Two of the

twenty revolvers aboard the Palos were twice modified, that is, first having the chambers recessed

more deeply than originally supplied by Remington, and then having the rear of the cylinder

turned down to the bottom of the recesses.

Also, on August 11, the bureau first contemplated the purchase of more modern revolvers for

the navy. Sicard sent the following letter to Winchester, Colt, Remington, Smith & Wesson, and

Merwin Hulbert:

Sirs:

The Bureau contemplates purchasing some double action revolvers, cal. .38, for the Navy,

and requests that you will forward for examination, your most approved models of that

kind of arm suitable for the Naval Service.

Please give price and time of delivery for 580.146

THE YEAR OF 1887

Our story now moves ahead better than a year. In November 1887 the bureau received another

report from Asia, this time a survey aboard the U.S.S. Mohican. This report read much like those

received from the Monocacy and Palos condemning Remington revolvers and requesting replace-

ments. Sicard responded on December 8 with the following letter to the commanding officer of

the Mohican (figure 155):

Sir:

Referring to the report of survey, dated Oct. 27, 1887, on Remington revolvers

and cartridges:

The Bureau has no other revolvers available for the “Mohican” at present.

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You are authorized to have turned off from one revolver the metal of the rear end of

the chamber cylinder as far as the bottom of the recesses for the cartridge rims, care being

taken not to turn below the bottom of the recesses. The revolver so altered will then be

tested by firing two hundred rounds, and if found to work freely and satisfactorily in so

far as the revolution is concerned, the remainder of the revolvers aboard the “Mohican”

will be altered in the same manner.

This course was pursued with the revolvers furnished to the “Pensacola,” after which

100 rounds were fired from one of them, its performance being satisfactory.147

THE YEAR OF 1888

Over nine months were to pass before the bureau received a response to this letter:

U.S.S. Mohican

Mare Island, Cal., Sept. 18, 1888

Sir:

In obedience to the Order of the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance of December 8th, 1887, to

the Commanding Officer of this vessel, I have had the metal turned off from the rear end of

the cylinder chamber of one of the Remington Revolvers on board, as directed, and then had

the Revolver, so altered, tested, by firing 180 rounds. I am sorry to have to report that it did

not work “freely and satisfactorily in so far as the revolution of the Cylinder is concerned.” At

every second or third shot the cylinder would be jammed, requiring force to assist the trigger

to revolve it, when that could be done at all; but, as a general thing, the cylinder would have

to be knocked out and the empty shell removed, before the next shot could be fired.

On closer examination, I found that the fault lay in the Ammunition, and not in the

Revolver. In every case the heads of the copper shells were found to be bulged out by the

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

Figure 155U.S.S. Mohican.(Courtesy: Libraryof Congress)

force of the explosion, to such an extent, as to jam the Cylinder hard enough, to revolve it,

when that could be done at all, with assistance of the hands; but, in most cases we found

the caps blown out so hard as to fill up the hole in the breech block around the firing

point of the hammer, thus completely locking the Cylinder, so that a wooden mallet, in

the shape of a screw driver handle, would be required to break it out.

I then took my Colt’s Revolver and fired a number of shots of the ship’s ammunition

from it, and found that the same defect was observable, although not to so great an

extent as with the Remingtons, when using that class of Revolver. I then substituted my

own ammunition, being made by the Union Metallic Cartridge Company of Bridgeport,

Conn., and found that both of the Revolvers worked admirably. The altered Remington

worked so well with the latter ammunition that I took another of the ship’s Remingtons,

which had not been altered, and fired 24 shots of the U.M.C. Co.’s. ammunition without

the least inconvenience or trouble. I then loaded the same Revolver with the U.S.

Cartridge Co.’s ammunition as furnished to the ship, and at the first fire the Cylinder

was jammed so tight that we worked about five minutes clearing it. It then took about

twenty minutes to fire six charges put into the chambers.

This corresponds with my previous experience with the “Lowell” ammunition, that

made by the U.S.C. Co., at Lowell, Mass. in the use of sporting rifles. I have even found it

to be unreliable as to range, accuracy and action.

Commander J. B. Coughlin

Commanding U.S.S. Mohican148

The first endorsement on this letter, dated October 1, authorized Coughlin to replace the

cartridges on the Mohican with cartridges manufactured by Union Metallic Cartridge Company.

On the same day, Sicard also contacted the commandant of the Mare Island yard with this

endorsement on Coughlin’s report:

Commodore George E. Belknap

Sir:

Please direct the Inspector of Ordnance to fire, from a Colt and a Remington revolver,

five percent of the revolver cartridges manufactured by the United States Cartridge

Company, from the stock on hand, with reference to the difficulties experienced as

set forth in Commander Coughlin’s letter of September 18; and report the results to

the Bureau.149

The ordnance officer made his report to the commandant on October 15:

Commodore George E. Belknap

Sir:

I have the honor to report that I have complied with the Bureau’s Order No. 3332 of

October 1st 1888, to fire five percent of the revolver ball cartridges, cal. .38, on hand at this

station, using both Remington and Colt Revolvers. The results of the test are as follows:

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Over twenty five per cent of the cartridges tried, after firing, jammed the revolver so

that it could not be fired without dismounting the cylinder and removing the bulged

cases. Nearly forty percent of the cartridges tried missed fire at first, the primers being

defective, although some of them exploded when a second attempt was made. The car-

tridges were made by the U.S. Cartridge Co., of Lowell, Mass., and were received at this

station from vessels, at various times during the last six years. There was no appreciable

difference in the performance of the two types of revolvers.

Lieut. Edward F. Qualtrough

Inspector of Ordnance150

This report was forwarded to the bureau, where Sicard made the following endorsement on

October 25:

Respectfully returned to the Mare Island Navy Yard.

The Bureau condemns the cartridges herein mentioned.151

After almost four years, the Remington “problem” had been solved. Almost all the negative

reports had originated with ordnance officers, but it took the attention of an astute command-

ing officer to analyze and diagnose the complaints against the Remington revolvers. Some of the

previous reports had contained references to the bulging cartridge cases, but in their haste to

condemn the Remington revolvers, the ordnance officers had neglected to compare the

Remington with the Colt. Had they done so, they may have discovered that the Colt had slightly

more head space than the Remington. This allowed the Colt cylinders to revolve freely when

using the same ammunition that caused jamming in the Remingtons.

The bureau had purchased cartridges from the Union Metallic Cartridge Company for the

first lot of Colt alterations delivered in 1873 but had also started purchasing cartridges from the

United States Cartridge Company in 1875. This practice contributed to the problem concerning

the Remington alterations, as both manufacturers’ cartridges were in use at different locations.

The UMC Company’s cartridge cases were made of brass; those from the USC Company were of

copper and were too soft for use in the Remington revolvers.

The experiments to solve the Remington “problem” have created at least five variations of

cylinders; there is a definite possibility that a sixth type is extant. On the original cylinders, as

supplied by Remington, the chambers were recessed for the head of the cartridges. The sketch

by Folger (see figure 151) also shows that Remington had supplied some of the alterations with

rim fire cylinders. As modified by the bureau at the Washington yard, the rear of the cylinders

was milled off to the point where the cartridges were no longer recessed. I do not know the

number of cylinders modified by the bureau, but this type seems to be fairly common (see fig-

ure 153). A fourth type has been altered in the manner as described by the ordnance officer

aboard the Monocacy, that is, by recessing the chambers to the point where the firing pin was

unreliable in reaching the primer. A fifth type occurred when this same type modification was

performed on revolvers aboard the Palos; however, the machinist performing the work evi-

dently had enough common sense to realize that the removal of too much metal would render

325

METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

the revolvers useless. The report from the Palos also noted that metal had been removed from

the face of the breech plate. A possible sixth type would be those exhibiting cylinders that were

first recessed and later milled off at the rear, as described by Commander Nelson of the Palos

on January 18 and August 11, 1886.

In July 1887 the bureau again made overtures to Colt about purchasing cartridge revolvers.

After several months of preliminary discussions on developing a revolver to meet the bureau’s

exacting standards, the bureau sought permission from the secretary of the navy to purchase

6,690 double-action Colt revolvers. In May 1888 the secretary of the navy authorized the pur-

chase of five thousand, and soon thereafter, the bureau signed a contract with Colt. Almost a full

year passed before the first deliveries, but all five thousand revolvers were delivered before the

end of 1889.

Shortly before the first lot of the new revolvers was delivered in May 1889, Sicard instituted

a new practice to record the activities during general quarters drills aboard the navy’s vessels.

The following general orders were sent to all ships, along with printed forms to record the results

of target practice:

Bureau of Ordnance

Washington D.C., April 1, 1889

It is directed that a part of the small arms allowance for the third quarter of 1889 be

expended in the following manner:

A target, showing to the ship (anchored) a surface 6 feet square, shall be anchored

300 yards from the ship, and the ships company being at general quarters, the first (or sec-

ond) riflemen shall be called away, and shall fire at the target from points giving them

suitable cover for one minute from the time the order calling them away was given. The

fire shall then cease, and the number of shot holes shall be counted. This programme shall

be executed by the first and second riflemen and marines, each separately and as often

as may be conveniently practicable. The record of this practice shall consist of filling

out the appropriate columns in the blank “Records of Practice of Boarders, Riflemen

and Marines” herewith forwarded.

The Gatling guns shall also be fired about 500 rounds each from their regular

mount in the place allotted them in general quarters, and at the target just described.

This practice shall be separate from the rest. The record of this practice shall consist

of filling out the appropriate columns in the blank “Records of Practice of Boarders,

Riflemen and Marines.”

The first and second boarders shall also be separately exercised in firing their pistols

for one minute at a target anchored 50 yards from the ship, and showing roughly the

figure of a man. The record of this practice shall consist of filling out the appropriate

columns in the blank “Records of Practice of Boarders, Riflemen and Marines.” These

men must also be required to take more or less cover, and should be suitably disposed

about the ship.

During these exercises with small arms it is recommended that, when convenient, the

ships company be at their stations at general quarters.

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CHAPTER NINE

The Bureau will be gratified to receive from commanding and executive officers, and

from officers of divisions, their views as to how the men in cruising ships can best be

trained in the use of their arms. It is the intention to endeavor to formulate in greater

perfection the drill for boarders and riflemen, and it is particularly desired to enlist the

services of all men in this work. Officers commanding the different bodies of small-arms

men should try to elaborate a system of drill by which they may be quickly moved from

point to point of the ship, while keeping under cover as much as convenient.

Montgomery Sicard

Chief of Bureau152

Shortly after the bureau took delivery of the new double-action Colt revolvers, the bureau

disposed of the altered Colt and Remington revolvers and also the Remington Rolling Block

Pistols. Hartley and Graham acquired many of the Remington single-shot pistols at auction; sev-

eral of these were rebuilt at the Remington factory into cadet rifles and target pistols and were

once again sold on the commercial market as new products.

I have not discovered the purchasers of the Colt and Remington alterations. Some of the

Colt revolvers had been in naval service for over thirty years and the Remingtons for over

twenty-five years, first as percussion and then altered for metallic cartridges. Many had served

in naval engagements during the Civil War in the Western Flotilla, the Mississippi Squadron, the

North Atlantic Blockade Squadron, and with Farragut at New Orleans. Postwar duties included

service in European and Asiatic waters.

Although there were many complaints in later years about the antiquity of the revolvers,

they seem to have served the navy very well. They were a credit to both the Colt and Remington

armories. Collectors have finally recognized the historical significance of cartridge alterations,

and these arms are now eagerly sought after. Those that can be authenticated as having martial

service will bring a premium.

It is easy to distinguish the revolvers altered for the U.S. Navy from those altered by

Remington for commercial sales. The navy’s revolvers are all .38 center fire. Serial numbers will

be below approximately 32,000. As I have mentioned before, U.S. Navy Remingtons were very

seldom “postwar” inspected. Those that were will have a small anchor on top of the barrel near

the frame and inspector’s initials on the front or side of the cylinder. The original percussion

cylinders were replaced on the altered specimens; consequently, these markings were lost. If an

altered revolver had been inspected, the only remaining inspection mark would be the anchor

stamp on the barrel. Considering that the revolvers were refinished at the time of alteration, this

mark might also be almost illegible, as are many of the barrel addresses I have examined.

As only 1,020 of the navy’s Remington revolvers were altered to cartridge, these are a very

rare and desirable addition to any martial collector’s collection.

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METALLIC CARTRIDGE ALTERATIONS FOR THE BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

CHAPTER TEN

Identifying Remington

Army and Navy Revolvers

In my previous text I have briefly discussed the various models of the Remington Army and Navy

revolvers. I shall now scrutinize these more closely and examine the entire evolution of the arms,

from the first variation of the Beals Navy Revolver to the end product, the final versions of the New

Model Army and Navy revolvers.

Most collectors are aware that arms activity at the Remington works during the early years was

confined to the manufacture of rifle and musket barrels. There were other operations associated

with the forge and smithy, but the manufacture of barrels provided a large part of the business.

Eliphalet Remington’s reputation as a maker of quality barrels was well known to some of the

country’s finest gunsmiths. By 1846 the armory had grown to the point where Remington was fill-

ing small government arms contracts. The company was the first American arms manufacturer to

introduce cast and decarbonized steel barrels to the market.

Remington’s first venture into revolver manufacturing took place in 1856. Samuel Colt had

dominated the revolver manufacturing field for several years; his patents on the method of rotat-

ing and locking the cylinder led other designers to adopt ingenious methods to avoid patent

infringements. Eli Whitney started manufacturing revolvers in mid-1850. Some of his early efforts

required the user to rotate the cylinder by hand between discharges. Another model had a second

trigger that rotated the cylinder. Later production, based on the early patents of Fordyce Beals, uti-

lized a side cam or zigzag type mechanism to rotate the cylinder. None of these were very practi-

cal and production was limited.

Beals’s association with Whitney was short lived. When he patented a new revolver design in

1856, he presented his latest concept to the Remingtons. By the end of the year, the armory was pro-

ducing a small frame .31 caliber pocket revolver based on Beals’s patent number 15,167, dated

June 24, 1856 (figure 156). The original patent drawing depicted a seven-shot cylinder, but the

revolvers were produced with only a five-shot capacity. Cylinder rotation was accomplished by a

cam and pawl that were mounted on the left side of the frame, the cam being activated by the ham-

mer. The cylinder was locked by an ingenious spring detent that was seated, on the early revolvers,

into the side of the nipple cavity. Later cylinders had a cavity milled between the nipples for this

purpose. Beals was issued patent number 17,359 on May 26, 1857, describing the new arrangement

(figure 157). Weighing only eleven ounces and having a three-inch barrel, the revolver was ideal for

pocket use. This model is now recognized as the Remington-Beals First Model Pocket Revolver.

329

A second model was introduced in 1858, based on the same patents, with a newly designed

frame. The most obvious feature of this model was a sheath trigger, which eliminated the need

for a trigger guard. The limited production (estimated at one thousand) of this model created a

Remington handgun rarity; it is known as the Remington-Beals Second Model Pocket Revolver.

In the meantime, Beals’s agile mind had been at work designing another improvement, and

his next patent, number 21,478, dated September 14, 1858, was the basis for a third model revolver

(figure 158). Remington referred to this model in early advertising literature as a “belt size

revolver.” It hardly qualifies as such even though it has a four-inch barrel. Collectors have

dubbed it the Remington-Beals Third Model Pocket. The caliber remained at .31 and the frame

and lock work were similar to the preceding model. Beals’s latest patent described a loading lever

and cylinder arbor system working in conjunction, where the arbor was retained in the frame

when the lever was locked in position. The lever latch post limited the forward movement of the

arbor when removing the cylinder from the frame, thereby retaining the arbor in the frame.

When compared to the very early Beals Navy Revolvers, the similarities are unmistakable.

After entering the handgun market, Remington attracted other firearms designers such as

Joseph Rider and William Elliot. Both Rider and Elliot were very prolific patentees and proved

to be a boon to Remington.

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 156Fordyce Beals’s patent, number15,167. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

After the expiration of Colt’s basic patents in 1858, his design for the cylinder locking system

was open to the public. In 1860, Remington started designing a larger caliber revolver that would

incorporate a lock similar to that of Colt but had a loading lever and cylinder arbor system based

on Beals’s patents. The novel feature of the Remington-Beals revolver was that the cylinder

(unlike that of the Colt) could be taken from the frame without dismantling the arm. The

revolver was introduced in the spring of 1861, shortly after Confederate forces fired on Fort

Sumter and the start of hostilities between the North and South.

The complete evolution of the Remington Army and Navy revolvers occurred in a relatively

short time, with the introduction of the final version in 1863. Early design flaws were addressed

by the firm as the revolvers were produced. Later improvements were brought to the company’s

attention by Ordnance Department sub-inspectors and officers. One problem that seemed to

persist throughout production was maintaining the close tolerances between the hammer nose

and the percussion cap mounted on the nipple. Remington had designed the frame and hammer

to limit hammer fall when the arm was discharged. The hammer face was never intended to

strike directly on the nipple; contact was to occur only when a cap was present. Percussion caps

were made with fulminate of mercury. Repeated ignition in contact with the nipples had a dete-

riorating effect on the metal, which was even more pronounced when the arm did not receive

331

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 157Fordyce Beals’s patent, number17,359. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

instant attention after use. This debilitating effect is even more pronounced when there is a hint

of moisture present. When the nipples became eroded, as they were prone to do with repeated

firing, the contact between hammer face and cap was apt to be lost, rendering the revolver use-

less. Nipple replacement was required before the arm was again an asset. This concept seemed to

be lost on troops in the field; consequently, there were many complaints that the revolvers would

not fire and were therefore useless.

Approximately thirteen thousand Beals Navy Revolvers were manufactured prior to the

introduction of the army model in the spring of 1862. The variations found on early Beals Navies

are not found on the Beals Armies as they are on the Elliot and New Models.

I have identified four variations of the Beals Navy: the first two involve major changes in

design; the last two have minor changes that are difficult to discern. The first one is extremely

rare and is seldom encountered.

REMINGTON BEALS NAVY, FIRST TYPE

Regardless of the variation, all of the Beals Army and Navy revolvers have the same barrel

address with one exception. This would be an extremely rare, very late Beals–Elliot transition

with an 1861 barrel address. The standard Beals barrel address was used on some fifteen thou-

sand Beals Navies and about nineteen hundred Beals Army Models (figure 159).

The features that set the first type apart from succeeding revolvers are the loading lever,

cylinder, cylinder arbor, and the loading lever latch post. In a design carried over from the Beals

Third Model Pocket Revolver, the cylinder arbor has only one ear or thumb-piece on the

exposed end. This feature has prompted collectors to refer to this variation as the “Single Wing

Beals Navy.” The overall length of the arbor pin is 4 7/8 inches, and the main diameter of the

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 158Fordyce Beals’s patent, number21,478. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

333

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

arbor is .189, smaller than those found on subsequent variations. This precludes the possibility

of interchanging either the arbor pin or cylinder with those in later revolvers (figure 160).

The arbor pin has one other peculiarity not associated with later revolvers. Set into the for-

ward end of the arbor pin head is another much smaller pin with a diameter of .014 inches and

which extends nine-tenths of an inch. To understand the function of this pin, we have to once

again examine the Beals lever and arbor system as originally used on the Third Model Pocket

Revolver. When the arbor was withdrawn on this model, it came in contact with the lever latch

post, which prevented complete removal from the frame.

When this same design was adapted to the navy revolver, it was found that the latch post was

so far forward that the arbor pin could be pulled completely out of the frame when removing

the cylinder. To counteract this and make the loading lever long enough to be effective, the

smaller pin was added to the front of the arbor. Although this seemed like a logical solution at

the time, it was soon discovered that this arrangement allowed so much lateral movement at the

front of the arbor that it could easily bypass the latch post (when pulled forward) and come

completely out of the frame. The loading levers had a slot milled in the top, long enough to

accommodate the small pin on the front of the arbor.

Another feature found only on the first type, and on the transition to the second type, is the

lever latch post (figure 161). The Third Model Pocket had a latch post similar to that used on

Colt’s revolvers, and this too was carried over into the design of the early Remington Navies.

This latch post was dovetailed into the barrel, rather than threaded, as were later versions.

The hammer knurling of the early variations is hand cut in a diamond pattern; later knurl-

ing is a crosshatch design (figure 162). The screw escutcheons on the early revolvers appear to be

of German silver (a white alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc). Later escutcheons of the same design

were made of brass (figure 163). The brass trigger guards on the early Beals Navy Models were

silver plated; this practice was abandoned when Remington started delivering revolvers under

contract. On postwar-manufactured revolvers the guards were again plated, some with silver,

while later production were nickel plated.

Beside these obvious distinctions between the early revolvers and later variations, there are

hidden features in the lock works that cannot be seen unless the revolver is completely disassem-

bled. The cylinder locking bolt has only one tine to engage the hammer stud; the base of the

hammer and the top sear portion of the trigger are wider (figure 164). These lock features

remained in use until the transition to the Elliot model in mid-1862. Some of the last Beals Army

and Navy revolvers can be found with the new lock system in which the locking bolt has two

Figure 159Remington Bealsbarrel address.(Author’s collection)

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 160Comparison of first and secondvariation Beals Navy forward partsand cylinders. (Author’s collection)

Figure 162Beals Navy early (left) and late (right) hammer knurling.(Author’s collection)

Figure 161First type Beals Navy latch post.(Author’s collection)

tines and the base of the hammer and sear portion of the trigger are narrower. Although the later

triggers will function with the early hammer and cylinder bolt, the situation cannot be reversed.

Also, the early cylinder bolts must be used with a corresponding hammer. The distinctive high

spur hammer was retained throughout production of the Beals and Elliot model revolvers.

The cylinders of the early revolvers have no safety notches in which to engage the nose of

the hammer. In early 1863, at the insistence of the Ordnance Department, safety notches

appeared on both the army and navy revolvers during the transition from the Elliot models to

the New Models (figure 165).

The percussion nipples used on Remington’s early revolvers, starting with their Pocket

Models in 1856 and continuing into their early navy production, were very distinctive. These

early specimens had two slots in the base rather than the later type with shoulders. Because nip-

ples are expendable and subject to replacement, it is impossible to determine just when the

change to the standard type occurred. It is very probable that this change came about as a result

of the Ordnance Department’s insistence on nipple uniformity for revolvers being accepted

under contract (figure 166).

I have recorded twenty-five of this first type of revolver with serial numbers ranging from

1 to 174.

335

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 163From top to bottom, Beals, Elliot, and NewModel grip panels. (Author’s collection)

336

CHAPTER TEN

Figure 164Early (left) andlate (right) typehammer, trigger,and cylinderbolt. (Author’scollection)

Figure 166Early type nipples and nipple wrench.(Courtesy: Jay Huber collection)

Figure 165Early (left) and late (right) cylinders.(Author’s collection)

337

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

TRANSITION FROM FIRST TO SECOND TYPE

When Remington discovered the flaws in Beals’s early design, they set about rectifying this

by designing an ingenious system whereby the arbor pin was increased slightly in diameter

to .222 inches and milling a flat surface on the bottom of the arbor for about two-thirds of

its length, while the rear portion remained round (see figure 160). This also required a larger

orifice for the cylinder arbor in both the frame and cylinder. The loading lever was modi-

fied by squaring off the extreme rear shoulder. When the lever was lowered, this shoulder

was almost in contact with the flat of the arbor. When the arbor was pulled forward, it could

travel only as far as the shoulder between the flat and the round portion of the arbor.

Although the length of the arbors varies, this was the arbor retaining system that was used

for the remaining production of the Beals models, as well as all of the succeeding Remington

New Model Revolvers.

The first few examples of the new design retained the latch post and loading levers that

were used on the first type. These are recognized as transition revolvers.

I have recorded only eight examples of the transition revolver, with serial numbers from

8 to 398. This very small sampling may be due to the fact that the transition revolver is more

difficult to recognize; the only external clue is the latch post. The low serial numbers

recorded for the transitions are also perplexing. There seem to be two possibilities for this.

The first is that Remington altered some of the first type revolvers after discovering the flaws

previously discussed. This would have been a simple procedure, involving only the drilling

of a larger orifice for the new arbor pin in the frame, milling the left side of the frame for

the new arbor pin head, and enlarging the arbor pin hole in the cylinder. The second possi-

bility is that Remington started a second series of serial numbers; however, in view of the

very small sampling of transition revolvers that have surfaced, I prefer the theory that some

of the first types were altered. No duplicate serial numbers have been recorded between the

first type and the transitions.

I have previously discussed this design change but think it should be reexamined. I can

only speculate as to the responsible parties for the new design. Was Beals the designer? I

think not. Surely he would have protected the design by patent. If it was the design of some-

one other than Beals, the entire succeeding production of Beals revolvers has been incor-

rectly identified as Beals models. The only Beals patents used on the early Navies were those

of September 14, 1858, which described the loading lever–arbor retaining feature as used on

the Third Model Pocket Revolvers. Apparently, the subject of a patent to protect the new

design never arose at this time. When Remington reverted to this system after dropping

William Elliot’s arbor retaining plan at the request of the Ordnance Department in early

1863, it evidently came to the attention of someone at the armory that it had never been

patented. Samuel Remington took immediate steps to rectify this oversight and was issued

patent number 37,921 on March 17, 1863 (figure 167). This patent date does not appear on any

Remington revolver until after the war. Ironically, Beals’s patent date of September 14, 1858,

was used on all of Remington’s New Model Revolvers, although it appears that he had little

to do with the final design.

BEALS NAVY SECOND TYPE

When Remington had used all the first type loading levers in inventory while producing the

transition revolvers, they also redesigned the lever latch post before resuming production. I can

offer no explanation for abandoning the early design; it was functional and worked very well for

the Colt firm, who continued to use it on their percussion revolvers for many years. Perhaps

there was some question of patent infringement, but I have failed to uncover any protection of

Colt’s design. The new post was round, with a convex bottom, and screw threads on top matched

corresponding threads tapped into the bottom of the barrel. This large post (.310 inches in diam-

eter) overhangs the bottom flats of the barrel and, when examined alongside later types of Beals

Navies, seems rather large and out of proportion to the rest of the revolver (figure 168).

New serial numbers were started when this type entered production, and several numbers

below 100 have been recorded. Many of these replicate numbers that were recorded in the first

type production. Estimated serial number range is 1–4,000.

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 167Samuel Remington patent,number 37,921. (Courtesy: U.S.Patent and Trademark Office)

BEALS NAVY THIRD TYPE

The third type production is identified by a change in the lever latch post and knurling on the

hammer. The lever latch post was reduced in diameter. This post retained a shoulder where the

more rounded bottom met the sides of the post (figure 169).

Knurling on the hammer, which was originally done by hand, was adapted to machinery.

The early hammer knurling was a coarse diamond pattern, cut with the use of files and graving

tools; the new knurling was a crosshatch design (figure 170). There is some variation in the cross-

hatching, indicating that although machinery was used to make the cuts, the work was probably

handheld. This step saved labor, and labor was money.

The estimated serial number range of the third type is 4,000–12,000.

BEALS NAVY FOURTH TYPE

Once again, the type is most easily defined by the lever latch post. In a change of contour that is

barely perceptible without carefully scrutinizing two examples side by side, the last type has a

post very similar to the third type, except that the bottom is half round and has no shoulders

339

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 168Second type BealsNavy lever latch post.(Author’s collection)

Figure 169Third type Beals Navylever latch post.(Author’s collection)

Figure 170Comparison of New Modelhammer knurling.(Author’s collection)

(figure 171). The late fourth type revolver also has some transitional features that are not as

apparent because of changes in the lock work that occurred during the change in design to the

Elliot model, which succeeded the Beals models.

The original lock work in the Beals Navy Revolvers had only one tine on the cylinder bolt;

on the Elliot and New Models the cylinder bolt has two tines (see figure 164). The single tine

required that the base of the hammer be wider to engage the single tine. The base of the ham-

mer for the double-tined bolt was milled thinner to allow room for the added width. A new trig-

ger with a narrower sear completed the design change. This can lead to some confusion when

attempting to replace any of these parts, as the wide-based hammer will not function with a

double-tined bolt, and vice versa. The early hammer will work with the newer trigger but the

reverse will not work.

A change of design in the pawl and pawl screw occurred about this same time. The threads

on the early screws are cut on the head end and tapped into the pawl itself, and the screw pivots

in the corresponding untapped hole drilled in the hammer. Threads on later screws are cut on

the opposite end like a normal screw, and the hole in the hammer is tapped; the pawl pivots are

on the screw itself (figure 172).

The serial number range of the fourth type is approximately 12,000–15,700 and overlaps that

of the Elliot Navy Model. While not as prevalent as in the Beals Army Models, late Beals Navies

with Elliot patent barrel markings have been observed.

340

CHAPTER TEN

Figure 171Fourth type BealsNavy lever latch post.(Author’s collection)

Figure 172Late type (left) and early (right) cylinderpawls and screws. (Author’s collection)

Martially marked Beals Navy Revolvers are the fourth type. I estimate the Ordnance

Department received about five hundred of these with serial numbers of approximately

13,500–15,700. Although none of the previous production was inspected and marked, Remington

delivered 7,250 Beals Navies to the Ordnance Department as open market purchases. The

department also purchased nearly forty-six hundred Remington Navies from commercial arms

dealers. The Navy’s Bureau of Ordnance also purchased a small lot of the fourth type in 1862.

This accounts for approximately 12,500 Beals Navies out of a total production of approximately

15,000. Adding the state militia purchases and private purchases from dealers for individuals

entering military service, the odds are definitely in favor of almost all Beals Navy Revolvers see-

ing some type of military service.

BEALS ARMY REVOLVERS

Remington did not produce a .44 caliber revolver until almost a year after introducing the navy

model. The original order for five thousand revolvers that Remington received on July 29, 1861,

called for .44 caliber, but the department continued to accept the .36 caliber navy models until May 31,

1862. On the same day that Remington delivered the last lot of navy revolvers on the original order

of July 29, 1861, they also delivered the first lot of 850 Beals Army Revolvers. These Armies were not

inspected, and inspectors’ cartouches are seldom found on army revolvers with serial numbers

below 850. In early July 1862, Maj. William A. Thornton made a personal visit to Remington’s

armory to inspect and receive 750 Beals Army Revolvers. His cartouche has been observed on many

of the Beals Armies. He has the distinction of being the only ordnance officer to personally inspect

any of the revolvers that Remington delivered to the military during the Civil War.

The Beals Army has all the features associated with the fourth type Beals Navy Revolver. Small

parts of Remington’s army models, such as lever latch posts, front sights, screws, hammer, trigger,

and internal parts, are interchangeable in the navy frame; therefore, when any of these parts was

changed during production of one model, there was a corresponding change in the other.

The serial number range of the Beals Army Revolvers is approximately 1–1,950. The

Ordnance Department received 850 of these that were not inspected, and Thornton accepted

another 750 when he visited the armory. I have examined specimens that have only the cartouche

of armory sub-inspector C. G. Curtis. This would seem to indicate that Curtis accepted some of

these following Thornton’s visit. Like the navy models, few of these seem to have escaped mili-

tary service.

BEALS-ELLIOT TRANSITION REVOLVERS

The notable feature on transition Beals revolvers are barrels stamped with Elliot’s 1861 patent

date; this seems to be more prevalent in the Armies than the navy models. The new lock work

described above is also found in some of the late Beals models. A simple way to check whether

the new lock work is installed is to cock the hammer and look at the base of the hammer. It

would not be unusual to find a consecutively numbered pair of Armies, one a standard model

and the second having transition features.

341

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

ELLIOT MODEL ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

When Samuel Remington testified before the Owen-Holt Commission in the spring of 1862, he

alluded that his firm was paying royalties to one patentee for revolvers and would soon be paying

another. He was referring to Fordyce Beals in the first instance and William H. Elliot in the second.

Elliot had designed an improvement in the loading lever–cylinder arbor arrangement. He was

awarded patent number 33,932 on December 17, 1861 (figure 173). This patent date is seen in the

barrel address of the Elliot models (figure 174). His patent described a loading lever with a wide

mortise milled in the top that occupied approximately two-thirds of the top rear of the lever. The

arbor was flat on the bottom, except for the rear portion, and had a slot milled on both sides of the

head; these matched the corresponding rails on top of the lever. The Elliot arbor pin is approxi-

mately three-eighths of an inch longer than that of the Beals, as none of the head is rebated into

the frame. Using this arrangement, the arbor could be withdrawn from the cylinder and frame

without lowering the lever. The arbor pin was retained in the frame by a small friction spring

mounted under the barrel (figures 175, 176, and 177). The spring engaged a small detent behind

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Figure 173William Elliot’s patent, number33,932. (Courtesy: U.S. Patent andTrademark Office)

the head in the top of the arbor. A new lever latch post was also designed when the Elliots were

put into production. This was the fifth type latch post (see figure 175), and except for variations

in size, it was used on all subsequent production of Remington Army, Navy, Belt, Police, and

Pocket Model revolvers.

The new design also required changes to the frame. As the entire head of the arbor pin was

now exposed, there was no need for milling the frame for the head of the arbor pin. The second

change seems to have been more for aesthetics, but having studied Ordnance Department

reports condemning sharp projections and edges on firearms, I am convinced that this also was

at the insistence of the Ordnance Department. The rear top of the frame, which had been a sharp

angle, was contoured to a bevel (figure 178).

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 174Remington ElliotNavy barrel address.(Author’s collection)

Figure 175Elliot Navy forward parts.(Author’s collection)

A close examination of Elliot’s patent drawing will reveal that his location of the retaining

spring was not in the same place as on the finished product (see figure 173). Elliot had placed the

spring on the side of the frame, with a mounting screw near the lever hinge screw. On the pro-

duction model the spring was instead placed in the bottom of the barrel. This system was very

convenient. To remove the cylinder, the hammer was brought to the half cock position, the cylin-

der arbor was pulled to the forward position without lowering the loading lever, and the cylin-

der was released from the frame. This was the model selected by the Ordnance Department

when Remington submitted sample revolvers for the department’s consideration prior to receiv-

ing their first revolver contracts. In the field it was discovered that if the user did not fully seat

the arbor pin, the action would lock up, making it difficult to rotate the cylinder. This embar-

rassing situation was quickly brought to Remington’s attention, with a suggestion that they

return to the Beals system. Remington once again redesigned their army and navy models,

resulting in the revolver that Remington would call their New Model (figures 179, 180, and 181).

When the Elliot loading lever was designed, a new lever release latch was also incorporated,

providing a better grasp than the Beals-type latch. The use of the new profile latch continued

throughout production of the army and navy models and was subsequently used on

Remington’s smaller New Model Revolvers.

Remington had used Beals’s name in the barrel address of the Beals model. The barrel

address of the Elliot models does not contain Elliot’s name, only his patent date. Elliot’s name

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Figure 176Elliot Navy arbor retaining spring.(Author’s collection)

Figure 177Side view of an Elliot cylinder arbor pin. Note small notch near head that engages retaining spring.(Author’s collection)

Figure 178Comparison of toprear of early (left) andlate (right) frames.(Author’s collection)

has been found stamped on a few of the early Elliot Navy Models, but the loading lever must be

removed from the frame to see it. On the rear hinge portion of the lever pictured in figure 175 is

stamped “ELIOT’S PATENTS.” The misspelling of Elliot’s name was made by the die maker who

created this stamp.

There was another change in design of the Elliot models that occurred shortly into produc-

tion. To relieve powder fouling, the frame was relieved directly in front of the cylinder to expose

the barrel threads. This change is first observed on Navies near the 16,500 serial number range

and on Armies at about 6,500 (figure 182).

The Elliot models were in production for less than six months, making both the army and

navy variations one of Remington’s rarest models. There were approximately forty-five hundred

Navies and eight to ten thousand Armies produced.

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 179Side view of alltypes of loadinglevers. (Author’scollection)

ELLIOT–NEW MODEL TRANSITION REVOLVERS

There seem to be more transition revolvers of this type, both Armies and Navies, than any other.

The logical reason for this is that the abrupt change from the Elliot models had not been

planned by Remington, as had the change from the Beals to the Elliot models. The Ordnance

Department’s insistence on a new design had taken the firm by surprise. There were many parts

in the works that had been designed for the Elliots, and it took some ingenuity to use these parts

to their advantage and still satisfy the ordnance inspectors. The first adaptation of the Elliot

arbor pin and loading lever was very simple. A fillister screw was placed in the channel of the

lever. The head of the screw prevented the arbor pin from being pulled forward unless the lever

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 180Top view of all typesof cylinder arbor pins.(Author’s collection)

was first lowered (see figure 181). This allowed Remington to continue their delivery of revolvers

with very little interruption.

At this point I should address a misconception some researchers have arrived at in regard

to the screw that Remington used to modify the Elliot levers. None of these were retrofitted,

that is, sent back to the factory for this modification. It is possible that some of these were later

modified by parties other than Remington. At the time these revolvers were made, the demand

for revolvers was so great that once they left the armory they were issued in short order.

Revolvers needing any type of repair were not returned to Remington. Repair work was done

at an army arsenal.

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 181Top view of alltypes of loadinglevers. (Author’scollection)

While Remington was using this modification to keep their production line moving, they

started making changes in the frames, arbor pins, loading levers, cylinders, and hammers.

The front of the frame where the cylinder arbor pin enters was milled out so that half of the

arbor pin head was rebated into the frame; the other half was left exposed (figure 183).

The new arbor pin and loading lever would function in the same manner as the late model

Beals revolvers. These parts actually required less milling work as the rail mortises were not

required. The arbor pin was also shortened one-fourth of an inch to allow for the head to be

rebated into the frame. The entire head of the pin was not rebated into the frame like the Beals

models; to have done so would have weakened the frame too much in the lever screw area.

The new loading lever in profile appears similar to the Elliot lever. With the mortise for

the arbor pin no longer necessary, the sides of the lever were contoured, eliminating the flat

sides found on the Elliot lever. The round portion at the front is slightly longer but overall

length is identical.

When Remington started using the new frames and arbor pins, they still had some of the

Elliot levers on hand. To make use of these, the rear portion of the rails was milled off one-

eighth of an inch, enough to clear the protruding head of the new arbor (see figure 183).

There had been complaints about the lack of safety notches on the cylinders. Remington

started milling these on newly produced cylinders, and by April 1863, almost all of the revolvers

leaving Ilion had this feature (see figure 165).

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 182Comparison of early (left)and late (right) frames.Exposed barrel threadsrelieved powder fouling.(Author’s collection)

Figure 183Transition Elliot–NewModel Navy with NewModel arbor and Elliotloading lever altered bymilling off rear of rails.(Author’s collection)

The high spur on the hammers of the Beals and Elliot models had also been the subject of

debate between Remington and the Ordnance Department. This hammer was easily broken if

the revolver was dropped. A new hammer was designed with a lower spur and is first found on

Elliot–New Model transition revolvers (figure 184). The transition revolvers are found in the

serial number range of late 19,000–22,000 in the Navies and 10,000–12,000 for the Armies.

NEW MODEL ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

When all the new improvements were in place, Remington adopted a new barrel address for

their army and navy models. They reverted to using Beals’s 1858 patent date without a mention

of Beals’s name. This address was in use for a short time and is found on army revolvers with

serial numbers 10,000–20,000 and on navy revolvers 22,000–23,000 (figure 185).

A short time later, another change was made to the barrel address. The words “New Model”

were added to the address but not where it is located on later New Model Revolvers. It was

stamped between the existing address and the frame. This address was used for a very short time

and has been observed on Navies in the 23,000 range and Armies in the 20,000 range.

About the same time this barrel address was adopted, Remington made one more change in

the frame of both the army and navy models. The top area of the rear grip strap was shortened;

this also changed the top profile of the grips. This change is difficult to discern unless the two

frames are side by side (figure 186).

The last wartime variation of barrel address can also be seen in figure 185. This is the stan-

dard New Model address that was used on all New Model army and navy percussion revolvers

from that point forward. In the early 1870s, Remington adopted a new barrel address for their

other New Model Revolvers. This address has two patent dates. The second date referred to

Samuel Remington’s patent of March 17, 1863. This address can also be found on the cartridge

navy revolvers manufactured after Remington had exhausted their stock of percussion revolvers

that they were altering for the commercial market (figure 187).

The final design change to the New Models was the round, pinched threaded steel front sight

that replaced the German silver cone sight that had been dovetailed into the barrel (figure 188).

Most of the army revolvers with a serial number over 50,000 display the new sight. The navy

revolvers usually have the new sight after serial number 27,000.

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 184Early (high spur)and late hammers.(Author’s collection)

ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT INSPECTION

Some of the Ordnance Department’s inspection procedures have been discussed previously, but

I will briefly recap the entire scenario to put it into focus. Prior to and during the early months

of the Civil War, it was the practice of the Ordnance Department to dispatch an ordnance offi-

cer to accept arms delivered under contract or order. Usually the officer was a commandant of

an arsenal or armory located near the manufacturer’s facility. Early in the war, the department

realized that this procedure was impractical, as it was deterring the commanding officers from

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Figure 185From top to bottom, evolu-tion of barrel addresses.(Author’s collection)

performing their regular duties. There were so many contractors and so many arms to be deliv-

ered that a whole new system was mandated.

In 1862 William Anderson Thornton was assigned as “Inspector of Contract Arms and

Accouterments.” When a supervisor for new construction at Watervliet Arsenal was required,

Thornton was also selected for this post. He was replaced as inspector of contract arms by Peter

Valentine Hagner (both were first majors, and later colonels) near the end of 1862. Hagner would

hold the post until new construction at Watervliet Arsenal was completed near the end of 1863.

Thornton was reassigned to the post and remained there for the rest of the war.

Once government arms contracts were approved by the secretary of war and the manufac-

turer was prepared to deliver arms, Thornton or Hagner would request an inspection team to be

dispatched to the manufacturer’s facility. The team consisted of civilians who had been

employed at the Springfield Armory. The size of this team would depend on the expected daily

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 186Early (left) and late(right) type grip straps.(Author’s collection)

Figure 187Post–Civil War two-date address.(Author’s collection)

Figure 188Side and top viewof early dove-tailed (top) andlater (bottom)threaded frontsights. (Author’scollection)

production by the manufacturer. The team would consist of a principal sub-inspector (who was

the superintendent or foreman) and a crew of inspectors.

After a revolver was assembled by Remington’s workmen, it was submitted to the inspectors

for acceptance. First the revolver was proved by firing with proof loads. Proof loads were heav-

ier (both in powder and lead) than normal loads. Once the revolver was proofed, it was disman-

tled, and each component part was examined. If there were no flaws, the major parts were

stamped with the surname initial of the inspector and the revolver was reassembled. The prin-

cipal sub-inspector then stamped his cartouche onto the left grip panel (figure 189). The

revolvers were then cleaned, oiled, boxed, and shipped by Remington employees to a point des-

ignated by the inspector of contract arms (usually to the New York Arsenal).

Any part that failed the inspection process was stamped with the letter “C” to denote that

the part had been condemned. To avoid the stigma of having parts condemned, Remington had

their own inspection process that preceded the government inspection. Revolvers that had obvi-

ous flaws were not submitted for inspection. Revolvers that had condemned parts were returned

to the assembly room for a replacement part and then resubmitted to the inspectors. Many of

the flawed parts were assembled into revolvers that were sold on the commercial market; some

of the revolvers assembled using such parts have mixed serial numbers. Other revolvers have

been examined that have only one part condemned. An estimated 150,000 Remington Army

Revolvers were made during the Civil War, but only 116,000 were accepted by the Ordnance

Department. This leaves about 34,000 revolvers that were either sold to the general trade or

remained in stock at war’s end.

There is some confusion among collectors about the inspection marks found on some New

Model Navy Revolvers that were produced after the final deliveries of navy revolvers to the

Ordnance Department in 1862. Remington continued manufacturing the navy model to fulfill

orders from the navy’s Bureau of Ordnance. These revolvers were sent through the Ordnance

Department inspection process to forestall complaints from navy inspectors, who seem to have

been more critical than the army. When inspection marks are encountered on a New Model

Navy Revolver, there should not also be a cartouche.

An interesting incident occurred at Remington’s Utica Armory during the proof testing of

revolvers. On December 30, 1864, the Utica Observer ran the following article:

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Figure 189O. W. Ainsworth cartouche.(Author’s collection)

Bullets Flying In Utica

Yesterday morning, the revolving iron kettle into which the bullets of the pistols man-

ufactured in the Remington Armory are discharged when the pistols are tested, ceased

to revolve. In consequence, a hole was soon made through the metal, and a bombard-

ment of the First Ward began. Bullets entered the saw factory of Lennebacker &

Delong, the undertaking shop of Wm. B. Monroe and the hardware establishment of

J. E. Roberts. The crashing and whizzing of the leaden messengers created a sensation

among those whose lives and limbs were endangered. One ball passed within six

inches of a man’s head, and other persons had narrow escapes. Word was sent to the

Armory in double quick time and the bombardment of Supervisor Douglas’ district

speedily terminated.1

Remington’s relations with the Ordnance Department’s inspectors got off to a rocky start.

The Beals revolvers that had been delivered before the first contract were treated as open mar-

ket purchases and therefore had received no inspection. This led the company to believe that

revolvers of the same quality would be accepted by the inspectors. When Remington offered

some fifteen hundred Beals Navy Revolvers for the first inspection in June 1862, there were so

many flawed that Principal Sub-Inspector C. G. Curtis declined to accept them. When the firm

offered 750 Beals Army Revolvers for inspection in early July of 1862, Curtis invited Thornton,

who was then the inspector of contract arms, to attend the inspection. Thornton accepted and

personally stamped his cartouche on the right grip of many of these revolvers. This was the only

instance in which an Ordnance Department officer inspected revolvers delivered by Remington.

Curtis, as the principal sub-inspector, stamped his cartouche on the left grip, and these revolvers

have the distinction of being the only lot that has two cartouches instead of the usual one.

Occasionally, a revolver from later production will display two cartouches, but common practice

was to cartouche only the left grip.

At this time, Thornton also refused to accept the Beals Navy Revolvers, but eventually

Remington did resubmit about five hundred of them and most were accepted. The serial numbers

of some of the martially marked Beals Navies overlap well into the Elliot serial number range.

In all fairness to Remington, we should examine the Ordnance Department’s inspection

procedures more closely. The standards of inspection had been established in a peacetime envi-

ronment and prewar contracts had been delivered at a more leisurely pace. Prior to accepting the

government contracts, Remington had been producing about thirty-five to forty revolvers a day.

Overnight, they were expected to produce 100 to 125 revolvers a day.

This required hiring many new employees with little or no experience, therefore subsequent

errors in milling procedures were common. During the first months of the war the inspection

procedures for all inspected arms were very stringent. However, as the demand for arms became

more acute the chief of ordnance advised Thornton that some of the inspection criteria might

have to be relaxed in order to receive more arms in a timely fashion. I have uncovered no evi-

dence that this suggestion was forwarded on to the inspectors receiving small arms, but a visual

inspection of early revolvers versus those delivered late in the war seems to suggest that the lat-

ter have fewer sub-inspectors’ marks.

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Some early contract revolvers have dual sub-inspectors’ marks on the left side of the bar-

rel near the frame, on the frame between barrel and cylinder, and on the rear side of the

cylinder. A single initial is found on the left frame above the hammer screw, on the left frame

above the flat of the trigger guard, on the trigger guard bottom forward of the bow, and on

the left side of the loading lever. As the inspection procedure evolved, the dual stamps were

separated and a single stamp may be found on both sides of the barrel near the frame or both

sides of the frame between the barrel and cylinder. The two stamps on the cylinder were sep-

arated and so one was on the forward part of the cylinder and the second near the rear.

Occasionally, inspection stamps have been observed on the rear of the cylinder also. The trig-

ger guard stamp remained in the same location throughout production. It is interesting to

note that there are no inspection stamps on any of the many hammers I have examined. An

exception may be noted for the very early Beals revolvers. The stamp found on the right side

of the hammer is considered to be a factory inspector’s stamp, as is the stamp sometimes

found on the left rear flat of the trigger guard and ahead of the lever latch post on the bot-

tom of the barrel. Factory inspectors’ stamps have also been noted on the bottom of the

frame concealed by the trigger guard and sometimes on the left side of the frame concealed

by the grip panel. Ordnance inspectors’ initials are sometimes found on the bottom of the

wood grip panels. Grip panels with these marks usually lack a cartouche. As this was not a

common practice, these marks were probably applied to grips originally ordered as replace-

ment parts by the Ordnance Department.

Some of the inspectors that were assigned to the Remington armories are very well known

and are easy to identify because of their inspection duties at other contractors’ facilities. Others

are more obscure and have not been identified. I will list all of the inspectors’ cartouches that

have been observed in the study of these revolvers.

CGC — This cartouche has been identified as C. G. Curtis. Curtis was the first

of many inspectors assigned to Remington’s two revolver facilities during

the Civil War. I was fortunate to locate a copy of a letter from Curtis sent

to W. A. Thornton on July 3, 1862, in which he identifies himself as

principal sub-inspector.

WAT — William Anderson Thornton. Inspector of contract arms for the

Ordnance Department.

BH — Benjamin Hannis, principal sub-inspector.

GP — Giles Porter, principal sub-inspector. Porter seems to have served at

Remington on more than one tour of duty during the war, as the serial

number range of the revolvers bearing his cartouche are spread out from

20,000 to over 100,000.

OWA — O. W. Ainsworth, principal sub-inspector. Ainsworth is better known for

his postwar inspection duties at the Colt Armory.

RPB — Unidentified principal sub-inspector. RPB has been incorrectly identified

as Robert P. Barry, an Ordnance Department officer during the Civil War.

This individual inspected at Remington very late in the war. In early 1865,

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he also inspected Rogers and Spencer revolvers at Utica, New York,

suggesting that he was also serving at Remington’s Utica Armory.

JWK — Unidentified principal sub-inspector. He has been incorrectly identified

as John W. Kelly, a naval officer.

WC — Unidentified inspector. Some sources identify him as William Cadwell, but

this is not confirmed. This cartouche is found on double-cartouched

revolvers in conjunction with WAT or CGC.

WW — Unidentified inspector. This cartouche is found on double-cartouched

revolvers in conjunction with WAT or CGC.

AW — Unidentified inspector. This cartouche is found on double-cartouched

revolvers in conjunction with CGC.

GRC — Unidentified inspector. This cartouche is found on double-cartouched

revolvers in conjunction with OWA.

PS — Unidentified inspector. The cartouche is found in conjunction with CGC

on early Beals and Elliot revolvers.

I am sure that there are other cartouches that have eluded me. Many cartouches have been

misread, as cartouches with any wear are difficult to decipher.

I have not been able to determine if the principal sub-inspectors divided their duties

between Utica and Ilion or if one inspection team was assigned to each facility. Although these

two armories were in close proximity (fifteen miles) to each other, commuting between the two

during the Civil War era would have been time consuming.

SERIAL NUMBERS

I have previously discussed Remington’s use of a new serial number range when they redesigned

the early Beals Navy Revolvers. After designating a new serial number range to start at number

1, the numbers ran consecutively to the end of production on both the army and navy models.

Serial numbers are always found in three locations on the army and navy models: on the left grip

frame, on the bottom of the barrel, and on the bottom of the tab of the trigger guard. When serial

numbers are encountered in other locations such as the rear of the cylinder or the hinge portion of

the loading lever, it indicates to me that some hand fitting was required to make these parts function

as they should, and the parts were marked to identify them to the revolver to which they were fitted.

At which point was the serial number of a revolver assigned during assembly? All available

evidence seems to suggest that the number was applied during final assembly. Several Beals Navy

Revolvers are numbered well into the serial number range of the Elliot models. The serial num-

ber range of the Beals Army Revolver is recognized as 1–1,950. I recently acquired a true Beals

Army that is numbered 3,242, which is well into the Elliot Army serial number range. This sug-

gests that the revolver was assembled and numbered in sequence with the Elliot production. The

revolver has inspection marks and the cartouche of “CGC.”

There are exceptions to the sequence numbering, most notably in revolvers that received

special finish. The army revolvers that Remington presented to the governors of the Union states

355

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

are the first example of this, and this practice continued after the Civil War. These revolvers were

made up in batches and numbered from serial number 1 to the end of the lot. This practice was

also used in postwar production of other Remington revolvers, possibly to identify special orders

by dealers.

Another most unusual practice used by Remington to identify a revolver was the use of let-

ters of the alphabet. It is rare to see a specimen so marked. At the time of this writing I have two

in my personal collection. One is a New Model Navy Revolver with an “F” stamped in the usual

places one would expect a serial number. This revolver has a presentation inscription engraved on

the back strap. There are no inspectors’ stamps and the grip panels are burl walnut, another indi-

cation of the more than ordinary attention the revolver received during manufacture (figure 190).

The second revolver with an alphabetical serial is a cased New Model Army Revolver. The

letter “U” is stamped in the usual serial number locations. There are no inspectors’ marks, the

metal has received extra polishing, and the grip panels are burl walnut. The trigger guard is sil-

ver plated. The bullet mold in this casing is also unusual. The shape is as usual for a Remington

mold, except that the sprue cutter end at the hinge has shoulders like those found on a Colt

mold. The mold has a high polish and the metal is in the white (figures 191 and 192).

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Figure 190Remington Navy Revolver serial number F locations. Inset shows “F” and back strap inscription enhanced.(Author’s collection)

ACCOUTREMENTS

On June 17, 1862, shortly after receiving their first government contract for revolvers, Remington

sent an inquiry to the chief of ordnance asking what kind of appendages were required with the

revolvers. In their inquiry, they stated that they had previously furnished a bullet mold and

wiper with each revolver. Ripley replied on June 25, 1862:

Sirs:

In reply to your telegram of today I have to state that the following are the appendages

required for each box of fifty pistols.

Fifty Screwdrivers & cone wrenches One for each.

Fifty extra Cones do.

Twenty five Bullet Moulds casting two balls ea. 1/2 do.

One Bullet Mould casting six balls 1/50 do.2

Remington was evidently unfamiliar with the gang molds that cast six balls. After some fur-

ther discussion with Ripley, this accoutrement was omitted from the required items and Ripley

notified Thornton on June 28:

Sir,

In receiving Army and Navy size pistols from the Messrs. Remington & Sons, the bullet

mould for Six balls will not be required with each box of fifty pistols at present, but the

right will be reserved to require these moulds at any future time when needed.3

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 191Remington New Model Army Revolver, original case and appendages. Serial number U. (Author’s collection)

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CHAPTER TEN

Figure 192Serial number U locations, with“U” enhanced.(Author’s collec-tion)

Figure 193Martially markedarmy and navybullet molds withinspectors’ marksinset. (Author’scollection)

As far as the collector is concerned, the Remington gang mold is nonexistent. A specimen

does exist that has been tentatively identified as such. It is my opinion that if it has been cor-

rectly identified, it is a prototype or model that was made up in case the Ordnance Department

had a change of mind and required the appendage.

As noted in their letter inquiring about the appendages, Remington has previously fur-

nished a mold and a wiper with each revolver. The type of wiper has not been established; none

of these seem to be extant. The bullet molds furnished with the very early Beals Navy Revolvers

are of the same pattern as those later furnished under contract but are brass with an iron sprue

cutter. These are rare and seldom seen. Iron molds were required by the Ordnance Department,

and these were the type furnished by Remington.

Remington furnished molds and the combination nipple wrench–screwdriver with their

revolvers until near the end of the first army revolver contract in mid-1863. Noting that soldiers

in the field were discarding the bullet molds furnished with their revolvers, the chief of ordnance

asked that the revolver manufacturers discontinue supplying them. Remington and Starr agreed

to this request and one half of the price of the mold (eighteen cents) was then deducted from

the purchase price of each revolver. The Colt firm refused to agree to this request and continued

to deliver molds until their then current revolver contract expired in November 1863.

In subsequent contracts with Remington, bullet molds were excluded as a requisite appendage.

Simple arithmetic tells us that 2,500 martially marked .36 caliber navy and 9,750 .44 caliber army

molds were delivered to the Ordnance Department. Martially marked molds can be identified by

a single inspector’s initial stamped on the right side of the body of the mold (figure 193).

The combination nipple wrench and screwdriver was furnished with all Remington contract

revolvers, one for each revolver, but experience has taught me that it is a difficult tool to find. It

is a very small tool, and over the years most of them were separated from the revolvers. These

were inspected, but never marked, so there is no way to identify a martial specimen. The nipples

and screws are the same in the army and navy revolvers, so all the tools are identical (figure 194).

Some discussion of the appendages found with commercial revolvers seems warranted.

Cased sets usually consist of a combination wrench, bullet mold, powder flask, cleaning rod

(some cases are not fitted for the cleaning rod), small internal parts such as nipples and springs,

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IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

Figure 194Late type Remingtonnipple wrench.Remington fur-nished one of thesewith each revolver.(Author’s collection)

a small tin of percussion caps, and sometimes a packet or two of combustible cartridges (figure

195). Most of the boxes furnished with Remington cased sets are distinctive and are easily iden-

tified as such. Occasionally a dealer’s casing will be seen; these do not conform to the Remington

cases and it is not unusual to find other manufacturers’ appendages in these sets. English and

European cased Remington revolvers are also occasionally seen. These also have been noted to

have other manufacturers’ appendages included. Other sets have been made up to order by the

owner of a revolver to preserve and protect the revolver. Many martially marked Remingtons are

seen in such settings.

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Figure 195Appendages furnished with cased Remington revolvers. (Author’s collection)

Figure 196Two types of dog patternflask found in Remingtonarmy and navy cases. Flask onright has a rare patentedscrew off top to facilitate fill-ing. (Author’s collection)

A cased set made for the market by Remington usually has a large flask of the dog pattern

and will have a slanted spout or charger that will hold the appropriate amount of powder for the

revolver. There are two types of the dog pattern flask; one has a stationary top and must be filled

by removing the charger, and the second type has a patented top that unscrews from the flask,

making the filling process simpler (figure 196). The second type is rare and seldom seen.

Percussion cap tins have been noted by a bevy of manufacturers, as have been the packets of

combustible cartridges. The diversity of the makers’ labels is not unusual, as these were dispos-

able items. Many of the molds found in the cased sets sold by Remington were polished bright

and were never blued.

The standard commercial versions of Remington’s Army and Navy Revolvers were sold in a

cardboard box, with flask, wrench, and mold. The survival rate of the cardboard boxes for any

Remington revolver is very low. Instructions for use of the revolver were sometimes printed in

the lid of the box; others were furnished with a loose instruction sheet.

361

IDENTIFYING REMINGTON ARMY AND NAVY REVOLVERS

EPILOGUE

I t was not by chance that the Ordnance Department selected the revolvers of Remington as

their final choice during the Civil War. The evolution of these revolvers resulted from a

combination of ideas that came from both Remington and the inspectors of the Ordnance

Department. The final product, the New Model Army and Navy revolvers, were the epitome

of convenience, function, and reliability.

But what became of these revolvers after General Lee surrendered at Appomattox

Courthouse and the battles were over? In 1865 Chief of Ordnance Dyer, in a response to

Remington, had stated that the Ordnance Department had purchased 466,772 revolvers dur-

ing the conflict and that 128,575 of them were Remingtons. Dyer also stated that sixty-nine

thousand revolvers of various makes had never been issued. Simple arithmetic tells us that

there was an excess of four hundred thousand revolvers on hand to supply a peacetime army

of less than thirty thousand men. The first disposals were the sale of personal weapons to dis-

charged troops, but these sales barely put a dent into the Ordnance Department’s store of

revolvers. Next was an order from the Ordnance Department to all arsenals and depots to

ship all revolvers that did not meet the requirements established for service revolvers to the

New York Arsenal. These included revolvers that had been purchased in Europe and also

domestic revolvers in calibers other than .44 caliber. They were disposed of in auctions to

commercial dealers at greatly reduced prices and eventually came into the hands of the civil-

ian population.

Remington’s alteration of their New Model Army Revolvers for Benjamin Kittredge in

1868 also created a demand for some of the surplus revolvers of the Ordnance Department.

Remington continued altering these revolvers into the 1870s. Although manufacturing figures

on the alterations are not available, I think an estimate of ten thousand is not excessive. A

study of remaining specimens indicates that many of these were from the army’s arsenals as

cartouches and inspectors’ marks are found on many.

During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870–71, Samuel Remington was the purveyor of

arms for the French War Ministry. His orders for arms were related to Remington agents in

the United States, and fifteen to twenty thousand Remington New Model Army Revolvers

were purchased or bartered from the Ordnance Department and found their way to France.

The great migration west followed the Civil War. A sidearm was an essential piece of

equipment for pioneers who were venturing into lands where there was little law and many

hostiles. Many settlers carried a Remington revolver for protection. The American Indians

also had their share of Remington percussion revolvers (figures 197 and 198). Some were

acquired from army troops as skirmish or battle souvenirs, others by barter with illicit Indian

traders. Some of the early Indian police on reservations were armed with Remingtons that

had been requisitioned from local army forts or posts.

363

I have studied reports of ordnance officers who periodically inspected remote army forts

and posts during the Indian wars. There were usually at least a few Remington revolvers at each

of these locations. After the army adopted cartridge revolvers in the early 1870s, these revolvers

were eventually sold to local hardware merchants and individuals on a piecemeal basis.

The final disposal of many of the government’s surplus percussion revolvers did not come

about until near the end of the century. These were acquired by many arms dealers at Ordnance

Department auctions. Many were resold by the dealers “as is.” Some of the more mint revolvers

were refinished and sold as “new.” Some were nickel plated; others were refinished in blue. Still

others were altered to cartridge by arms dealers and gunsmiths. These have been seen in vari-

ous .44 and .45 calibers.

By the year 1900, all of the many percussion revolvers purchased by the Ordnance

Department during the Civil War had been dispersed, most throughout the United States, but

some were exported to Mexico or other locations where the use of percussion arms was still

prevalent. The condition of extant examples range from mint, showing no wear and loving care,

to others showing use, but no abuse, and, of course, many showing neglect and reflecting that

old adage “rode hard and put away wet.” This last category includes many revolvers that have

364

EPILOGUE

Figure 197Ute Indian posing with RemingtonNew Model Army Revolver.(Courtesy: Roy Marcot)

been altered in some way to reflect the personal tastes of some previous owner. Shortened bar-

rels, nonfactory sights, and grips that have been carved with initials or names of some previous

owner abound. Also homemade replacement grips, many using crude screws and escutcheons,

are frequently seen. The use of an old gun as a personal canvas for the frustrated artist is well

documented on many gun show dealers’ tables.

The reader will have gathered by now that I have a genuine love for these old pieces of iron.

Every one of these revolvers has a story to tell. I sincerely hope that I have helped the reader and

arms collector understand some of the larger story.

I have been tempted many times to abandon this project during the twenty-five-year span it

has taken to complete this volume. Assembling, translating, and understanding the many pieces

of correspondence and documents have added more than one gray hair, but as I write these final

lines, I feel some sense of accomplishment.

Don Ware

Russellville, Arkansas

August 10, 2006

365

EPILOGUE

Figure 198Ute Indians posing withRemington New ModelArmy Revolver. (Courtesy:Roy Marcot)

APPENDIX A

The Owen-Holt

Commission

I have made many references to the Owen-Holt Commission on Ordnance and Ordnance

Stores. To enlighten those not familiar with the commission, I shall briefly discuss how the

commission came into existence.

In the late months of 1861, Secretary of War Simon Cameron and the Ordnance Department

came under public scrutiny for the indiscriminate purchases and awarding of contracts for

weapons and other stores. This precipitated Cameron’s resignation and the subsequent appoint-

ment of Edwin M. Stanton as secretary of war in January 1862.

In February, Stanton queried Brig. Gen. James W. Ripley, then chief of ordnance, about the delay

in submitting the Ordnance Department’s annual report to Congress. Ripley replied as follows:

Ordnance Office, Washington

March 7th, 1862

Hon. E. M. Stanton

Secretary of War,

Sir,

In answer to the Senate Resolutions of the 14th February, 1862, referred to this office for

report.

I have to state, that the annual report of contracts and purchases, made by the War

Department through this Bureau for the year 1861, has not yet been furnished, for the rea-

son that the preparation of the very voluminous statement and correspondence, relative to

contracts for arms, necessary to meet a special call of the House of Representatives, has

fully occupied the time of our clerical force, and delayed the general report to Congress

under the Law. That report is in process of preparation, and will be completed and sub-

mitted, as soon as practicable.

Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,

J. W. Ripley, Brig. Gen’l.1

Three days later, Stanton issued a General Order suspending deliveries on all orders and con-

tracts that had been granted by the Ordnance Department and appointed a commission to “Audit

and adjust all contracts, orders and claims on the War Department in respect to Ordnance, Arms

367

and Ammunition.” Stanton appointed Robert Dale Owen and Joseph Holt as commissioners and

vested in them the authority to rescind, modify, and renegotiate contracts to protect the interests

of the U.S. government. Owen had served two terms in the Indiana House of Representatives and

one term in Congress (1844–47). From 1853 to 1858, he was ambassador to Naples. Holt had served

in the cabinet of President Buchanan with Stanton, first as postmaster general, and later as secre-

tary of war. The commission was in session for over three months, and when they had concluded

their business, submitted the following lengthy report to the secretary of war.

Washington.

July 1, 1862

Hon. E. M. Stanton,

Secretary of War:

Sir:

The undersigned, commissioned by your authority “to audit and adjust all contracts,

orders and claims on the War Department in respect to ordnance, arms and ammuni-

tion,” have the honor to submit the following report:

They met on the 17th day of March, 1862, and, after having appointed a clerk, had

publication made that they were in session, and all persons interested in the cases referred

to them for examination and decision were invited to appear and offer such suggestions

and proofs as they might deem advisable in support of their respective claims. To this

notice your letter of appointment was appended, in order that there might be no misap-

prehension as to your purpose in organizing the commission, or as to the powers with

which it was invested. To this appeal the parties, with a single exception, have responded,

and, either verbally or in writing, we have been put in possession of their views. Most of

them have been examined before us under oath, and their statements, carefully taken

down and revised by themselves, accompany this report, and are submitted for your con-

sideration in support of the action which has been taken.

The cases referred to us were 104 in number, and the demands upon the Treasury

which they involved amounted to about $50,000,000. All of these cases, after patient and

careful investigation, have been disposed of, and special reports have been made, showing,

either in terms or by reference, the grounds of the decisions rendered.2 The amount, from

which the Government, by the action of this commission, will be relieved, will fall but lit-

tle short of $17,000,000. This result has been reached by the rejection of some claims and

contracts, by the curtailment or modification of others, and by the reduction of prices

when found excessive or extravagant. We are well satisfied that no principle of law has

been violated in the conclusions at which we arrived; that considerations of equity, when

these existed, have not been overlooked, and that no undue advantage has been taken of

the power of the Government in dealing with its citizens. In our desire to protect, as far as

practicable, the public interests no private right has been infringed, nor is it believed that

any one of the contractors whose engagements have been the subject of our investigations

will, if provident and reasonably skillful in the execution of his contract, suffer loss, or fail

to realize a fair profit.

368

APPENDIX A

A longer time than was anticipated has been occupied in the discharge of our duties.

The magnitude of the issues submitted to us forbade that they should be determined either

hastily or in the absence of a thorough scrutiny of the merits of each claim separately con-

sidered. It has been the endeavor of the commission not only to be just, but, as far as possi-

ble, to satisfy the claimants that we had been so. Accordingly, by repeated conferences with

frank explanations offered to the parties, both as to the strict legality of the action proposed

and to its absolute necessity from considerations of public policy, we have sought to secure

their acquiescence in our decisions. Our efforts in this direction have met with even

unlooked for success. It may be safely affirmed that a large majority of the claimants are

content with the disposition of their cases. Many of them, public spirited citizens, having

cheerfully expressed their assent; some verbally, others in writing. That amid the variety of

character presented by so large a number of shrewd business men, exceptions to this should

have presented themselves, will surprise no one who reflects that in every society will be

found those who—setting up a distinction between honesty in public and honesty in pri-

vate affairs—find it difficult to realize that the Government has any rights, or the law,

which protects its treasury, any obligatory force as against their own personal interests.

Such men delude themselves with the belief that however much they may be bound to

respect the property of its individual citizens, the country, as a whole, is a fair subject of

plunder—a belief of ready growth amid the disorders consequent upon great national con-

vulsions. A few such men we have encountered, and while our action has left upon them

an unpleasant impression, it is altogether probable that their baffled schemes against the

public treasury will hereafter become the basis of appeals to Congress.

As the reports made in the particular cases fully exhibit the details of our labors, a

very brief resumé of their results and of the considerations suggested in the course of our

investigations may here suffice.

It may be stated, generally, that we have found the system under which have been

issued the numerous orders and contracts for ordnance and ordnance stores that have

been referred to us strongly marked with improvidence. The amount of these orders or

contracts has been ascertained to be largely in excess of the public wants, and the prices

fixed by many of them beyond necessity or reason.

The unexampled demand for arms consequent upon the sudden breaking out of the

present gigantic rebellion, and extraordinary circumstances under which the Government

arsenals were drained of their best weapons before a blow was struck, afford some expla-

nation of the excess of price referred to; yet, it must be confessed, not by any means a full

and satisfactory one. It is to be traced, in a large degree, to a neglect of those common pre-

cautions which prudent men of business exercise in the conduct of their private affairs,

some of which, too, had been specially provided for and required by acts of Congress.

First, as to foreign arms, it was of course absolutely necessary to resort to these in

equipping, within a few months, more than half a million of men, and it was impossible,

in all the workshops of Europe, to have had arms manufactured as rapidly as our public

necessities required. Under such circumstances prices naturally rose, and inferior (often

second hand) arms had to some extent to be purchased.

369

THE OWEN-HOLT COMMISSION

But these difficulties were greatly aggravated by the lack of system which prevailed.

The States and the General Government entered the market together as rival purchasers,

and thus the members of the same national family bid directly against each other. The

folly of this is the more remarkable when it is remembered that these arms bought by the

States were, in fact, for the use of the General Government, and will, no doubt, in the end

be paid for by it. The General Government itself employed, directly or indirectly, numer-

ous agents not acting in unison, and often becoming, therefore, competitors of each other.

A few of these made purchases directly for the Government; the greater number sprang up

in the shape of “middlemen,” to whom, though not dealers in arms nor skilled in their

value, contracts were awarded upon their own terms, only to be sublet to the actual

importers. Under a system so ill considered, extravagance was unavoidable. It was greatly

increased by many of these contracts being loosely worded and imperfectly guarded, while

some were granted at prices much beyond even the highest rates which could be fairly

considered as engendered by the system itself.

Two examples may here be given in illustration: In the first—that of a large contract

granted to a “middleman,” who had never dealt in arms and knew nothing of their

value—the reduction, partly in price and partly in quantity, effected by the action of the

commission, amounted to $580,000. In the second, granted to a bona fide importer—

being a contract of immense amount, namely, for upward of 188,000 guns and 38,000

sabers—the reduction in price alone, as compared with the rates paid under the contract

up to the time of our decision, exceeded $1,000,000. In both these examples the reductions

were ordered under proposals finally made by the parties themselves after repeated confer-

ences with them, and accepted by the commission. Other large contracts for foreign arms,

of which the owners had incurred forfeiture by failure as to times of delivery, were

rescinded by the commission.

Yet, withal, it has been impossible for us to protect the Government against lamenta-

ble losses in these loose and irregular transactions. In regard to a considerable portion of

these foreign arms, Government inspection was permitted in Europe before shipment, but

so utterly inadequate and so incompetent was the force assigned to this duty that it

became a mere empty form, devoid of all utility or protection. Of this and other negli-

gences and imprudences the practical result has been that a large proportion of our troops

were armed with guns of a very inferior quality; that tens of thousands of the refuse arms

of Europe are at this moment in our arsenals, and thousands more still to arrive, not one

of which will outlast a single campaign, while most of them will never be issued at all,

being entirely unfit to be placed in the hands of civilized troops. Add to this that in many

cases these unserviceable arms were paid for at rates which, under a system of vigilance

and obedience to law, would have procured rifles of the first class.

As regards orders or contracts for domestic arms, though the abuses in this branch are

less glaring than those above referred to, yet the system here also has been essentially

faulty, and the loss to the Government thence resulting very large, while evils other than

excess in prices have resulted from neglect of wholesome precautions and of checks and

guards strictly demanded by law.

370

APPENDIX A

These contracts are chiefly for the Springfield rifle musket. The quality of this weapon—

the best infantry arm in the world—has been carefully and sufficiently guarded.

But, first, The orders were greatly in excess of what the Ordnance Office estimated to

be the wants of the service. One million one hundred and sixty four thousand Springfield

muskets had been contracted for, while the Chief of Ordnance reports to this commission

that half a million is the number actually needed for a year to come, beyond what the

Springfield Arsenal can supply.

To relieve the Government as far as, with due regard to equitable considerations, lay

in our power from this excess of arms, the commission, governed as to the amount in each

case by its peculiar features, have made certain reductions in a large majority of these—

the total reductions thus made amounting to 473,000 guns. This leaves a margin, over

and above the half million estimated to be needed, of 191,000 guns for probable or possible

failures to make prompt deliveries, in part or in whole, by the contractors.

The legal grounds on which the right to make these deductions rest are fully set forth

in the decision in Mason’s case, No. 72.3 While actual investments, made in good faith,

have, as far as the public interests would permit, been respected, the maxim has been rec-

ognized that the citizen must, in his dealings with the Government, as in his general con-

duct, be held to know the law and cannot be permitted to profit by its violation. The

government of no civilized people has ever been administered on a different principle, nor

indeed, could it be.

Secondly. The price—in every instance $20 per gun, including appendages—is, the

commission now believe, higher by several dollars than it need or ought to have been, at

least when the contract was for a greater number than 25,000.

It is true that the vast and unnecessary number of Springfield muskets contracted for,

especially at such high rates, has very sensibly increased to the manufacturer the cost of

the arms by causing an unexampled demand for materials (particularly of suitable iron

for gun barrels, an article of which the present supply is limited) and for skilled labor;

and in the early part of our investigations this consideration, together with the want of

accurate and reliable information on the subject, so far weighed with us that we con-

firmed the first four contracts for 50,000 guns each, made with experienced manufactur-

ers, at the price of $20, which had been fixed by the Ordnance Office. But as we proceeded

in our investigations, and as additional evidence came before us, we became satisfied that,

for any amount over 25,000, $16 per gun would afford a fair profit to the manufacturer. A

contract for 40,000 of these muskets at that rate has been recently taken by an experienced

and responsible firm, Messrs. E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, N.Y. and it should be here

stated that to Mr. S. Remington, of this firm, we are indebted for the first trustworthy

information received touching the actual cost to private manufacturers of this arm. His

public spirit, in frankly and voluntarily making this disclosure, is worthy of all commen-

dation, and should it result, as we believe it will, in fixing the price of this gun at not

exceeding $16, his action will save millions to the public treasury. It should be added that

the holder of one of the contracts for 50,000 Springfield muskets confirmed by us con-

sented, as a part of the conditions of confirmation, that 25,000 of the guns should be paid

371

THE OWEN-HOLT COMMISSION

for at $16 instead of $20 each. A similar reduction to $16 was made on the proposal of

another contractor for all the guns embraced in his order over 25,000.

Thirdly. The neglect to obey the law of the 3d of March, 1809, and the stringent regu-

lations founded upon it, which provide that all contracts for army supplies shall, except in

cases of emergency requiring and admitting of “immediately delivery,” be preceded by

public advertisement inviting proposals, has been prolific in evil results. Indeed, it is to

the persistent disregard of this law, which for more than fifty years has been the guardian

of the integrity of the contract service, that speculators and “middlemen” are indebted to

the saturnalia of success they have enjoyed since the commencement of the war. Nor can

such disregard of law and duty be excused on the plea that the pressing exigency of the

case afforded no opportunity to conform to the provision in question, since in all the con-

tracts for domestic arms the deliveries were fixed at distant periods of time.

That better terms might have been obtained for the Government is conclusively

shown by the fact that when, a few weeks since, under your direction, proposals for the

manufacture of arms were thus invited, responsible bids for the Springfield musket were

put in as low as $16, while almost all fell below the price of $20.

In October [sic] last E. Remington & Sons solicited an order for the manufacture of

their revolver—acknowledged to be in all respects equal to Colt’s army revolver—at $15,

but could get a contract for only 5,000.4 At the same time an order was given to Colt’s

company for an indefinite number of his army revolvers at $25, and under this there has

since been delivered 31,000. That company, under the recent advertisement, proposed to

furnish this revolver at $14.50, and a contract at that rate has been executed, thus proving

that the charge made and submitted to was $10.50 in excess of the worth of the arm, and

showing that in this single item of pistols alone there has been paid to that company

within the time named at least $325,000 beyond the full value of the arms received. The

proposals for sabers alone indicate a still more marked reduction in price—a responsible

offer being made for the best cavalry sabers at $4.12, for which $8.50 has been heretofore

been paid, and an offer of $5 by the very party who has been, under the private contract

system, receiving $8.50.

But an enforcement of the law in regard to advertising would effect more than a mere

reduction in price. It would cut up by the roots an abuse which during the present war

has threatened, in this branch of the administration, serious injury, alike to the interests

of the service and to public morals. Contracts based on private proposals favor, and neces-

sarily lead to, the creation of a class of “middlemen,” most of them mere speculators and

adventurers, to whom, instead of to the manufacturers themselves, orders for supplying

the wants of the Government have been often directly or indirectly granted To this evil we

have already, in a report recently printed, accompanying case No. 72, adverted at length.

The class of men referred to are generally rapacious and unscrupulous, and thrust them-

selves between those whose interest it is to deal, directly with each other—the government

in need of arms and the manufacturer producing them. Having thus, through unavowed

instrumentalities, obtained their contracts, many of them at once put them on the market

for sale. A large manufacturer, who has failed to get a contract for muskets, assures us

372

APPENDIX A

that within a few days past such contracts to the amount of 200,000 guns have been

offered to him by these traders in Government patronage. Under a system of open compe-

tition invited by public notice, as contemplated by law, no such interposition could take

place and no such class of men could exist. A few illustrations of the practical workings of

the system, as it has prevailed in the Ordnance Department, may be here stated.

A holder of one of these orders or contracts for Springfield muskets appeared before

the commission, as did a member of the United States Senate, and from their testimony

we learned that the order had been obtained from the Secretary of War by the Senator,

and for that service he had charged and is to receive $10,000. It seems to have been in

contemplation by the principle party to pay him 5 per cent commission, being $50,000;

but it was finally settled, so far as his partners were concerned, at the sum named. For

this he holds the notes of the parties, who are responsible, and will no doubt make pay-

ment at the maturity of the paper in August and September next.

A large manufacturing firm being anxious to secure a contract for their pistols, and

being satisfied, from some cause, that their personal application would be unavailing,

employed as “middleman” or agent an individual who represented that he could obtain it

for them. His success as one of the partners in a heavy beef contract given out soon after the

commencement of the rebellion seems to have inspired confidence in his representation, and

no doubt led to his retainer. He did not overestimate his influence; for on the 16th of

October, 1861, an order was issued by the Chief of Ordnance to the firm, addressed to him,

for 5,000 pistols at $20 each, for which the firm paid him $10,000. Subsequently, on the 25th

of October, 1861, this firm made a written application to the Secretary of War for a contract

for 10,000 of the same pistols, which, having been referred to the Chief of Ordnance, was by

him reported against on the 31st of October, upon the ground that the pistol was not, in his

opinion, “a desirable one for the service”; and so the application failed.

Sometime afterward a person well known to the country as having neither official

position nor capital, but who had probably ascertained the preceding facts, visited the

same manufacturers at their establishment and asked them if they did not want an addi-

tional pistol contract, to which they answered that they did. He then inquired what they

were willing to give for it. As a little before they had paid $10,000 for an order of 5,000, it

probably occurred to them that the same rate of compensation would be expected in this

case and it was accordingly offered. The “middleman” then—evidently with other rea-

sons, for the purpose of increasing his fee—urged that $22.50, instead of $20, should be

charged the Government for the pistols. This was declined, the manufacturers stating that

the pistols were not worth more than $20, and that at this rate they had previously been

sold to the Government. The price to be paid him for his services was set at $2 per pistol,

or $10,000 for the 5,000, for which he agreed to secure the order. He returned to

Washington, and “in a week or two” the manufacturers received an order, bearing the

date November 28, for the 5,000 pistols, being again the same that a few weeks before had

been pronounced “unserviceable” in answer to their own personal application to manu-

facture them. This order, from some unexplained cause, was not submitted to Congress

and is not found in House Executive Document No. 67. It was, however referred to us,

373

THE OWEN-HOLT COMMISSION

and was confirmed with a reduction of the price to $18, with the assent of the parties.

This change in the price has given rise to a controversy between the broker in Government

patronage and his employers as to where the loss occasioned should fall, or whether his

influence and services shall still be estimated at $10,000, or be reduced to half that sum.5

In the first case referred to the commission was offered to the United States Senator

because the manufacturer was assured that it was usual to pay for similar services, and he

expressed to us under oath the opinion that the assurance was true, and that in a majority

of cases he believed such compensation to have been made. The public are very sharp-

sighted in such matters, and when they are found employing, at high rates of compensa-

tion, the services of this class of men, there is no hazard in assuming that they have

ascertained it is necessary for them to do so. One of the saddest consequences of this course

of administration is the tendency of the public mind to press its imputations of demoraliza-

tion beyond the mere broker in patronage, who, probably having little to lose in this way, is

indifferent to criticism or reproach, so long as he is permitted to put money in his purse.

Men are prone to believe that an influence which hawks itself about in the market rests on

foundations which could not be safely laid bare; or, in other words, that what is thus

openly sold has been possibly bought. Of course, no such reflections could arise in reference

to a member of Congress who should feel himself justified in making pecuniary profit out

of his position, in the manner suggested, since the origin and character of his influence over

the administration of the executive branch of the Government are well understood.

Whatever use may be made of it, its source is pure, springing as it does, from the genius of

our institutions, which gives power everywhere to the representatives of the people, in the

generous confidence that it will be loyally exercised only for their protection.

For the names, dates, and other details connected with these transactions, reference is

had to the written testimony which accompanies this report.

Another deplorable consequence following the substitution of a system of private con-

tracts for that based on advertisement and open competition is the indiscriminate con-

demnation which, in public journals and otherwise, such substitution has brought in its

train upon all contractors. In many cases this is wholly undeserved, and to none will the

advantage be greater than to the bona fide contractors themselves of a change of system

which, once in regular operation, will relieve them from imputations of dishonesty or

extortion. In no class of persons are the qualities which distinguish the best business men

of our country—talent integrity, enterprise, resource, perseverance—more needed than in

them. But if wholesale slurs affecting their character, because of their relations to the

Government, finally render the very name of a contractor a reproach, what can be the

result, except that the honest and reputable will stand back, and that their places will be

filled by men careless of their good name, if only money can be made by the sacrifice?

We beg, therefore, respectfully, to urge the expediency of adhering in all future con-

tracts for ordnance and ordnance stores, to the principle of advertising, so earnestly

impressed by the law and the regulations of your Department. This law and these regula-

tions embody the wisdom which long years of experience have taught, and they rest upon

a profound knowledge of human character—of the unscrupulous avarice that is to be

374

APPENDIX A

baffled on the one side, and of the infirmity which is to be guarded against temptation on

the other. The absolute necessity of the course suggested is more powerfully illustrated by

the facts which we have brought to your notice than it would be by any arguments we

could employ. This course on your part would furnish a prompt and complete remedy—

and it is the only one—for the evils of extravagance and alleged demoralization, of which

so much and such lamentable complaint is heard.

That vast interests and influences will array themselves against a restoration of this

branch of the service to the basis of the law, may well be expected. Opposition to this great

principle, which has so faithfully guarded the public treasury, has been signally mani-

fested in past years, and the success of that opposition opened then a wide field for rapac-

ity on the one hand and fraudulent collusion on the other. The abuse in a particular

branch of the service assumed such proportions that Congress, feeling itself called upon to

interfere, declared, by solemn enactment on the 31st of August, 1852, that “all contracts, of

every description, which have been made without public notice having been given, shall

be canceled.” While in dealing with illegal and irregular contracts we have sought to act

in harmony with the spirit of this legislation, we have done so with a tenderness of regard

for the interest of bona fide contractors which, it is believed, will protect our action from

all the imputations of harshness or injustice hereafter.

We cannot close this report without bearing testimony to the constant aid and sup-

port we have derived from Major Hagner, who has been associated with us as an advisory

member of the commission. His labors have been arduous and incessant, and his thorough

knowledge, as an accomplished ordnance officer, of the subject-matter of all the contracts

submitted for our examination, has enabled him to render us invaluable assistance, alike

in our investigations and in the preparations of our decisions.

We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,

J. Holt,

Robert Dale Owen,

Commissioners.6

In the preceding report, the commissioners made reference to the testimony of S. (Samuel)

Remington. That testimony is presented here. The testimony presented on April 24 had been

credited to E. Remington. It is the author’s opinion that this was an error by the commission’s

clerks and that the testimony was given and the correspondence written by Samuel Remington

in the name of E. Remington & Sons.

Before the Commission, April 4, 1862.Mr. Remington (Ilion Works, New York) came before the commission and says he has

a contract for 10,000 Harper’s Ferry rifles, calibre .58, and also 5,000 army revolvers.

Has expended $100,000 in preparations; has gone on with diligence twenty hours out

of twenty four, and has left nothing undone. Can now deliver pistols; could have deliv-

ered army pistols heretofore, but was delayed on account of the delivery of navy pis-

tols to Major Hagner.

375

THE OWEN-HOLT COMMISSION

Theirs is an established firm, which has worked for government for fifteen years.

Has filled contracts for altering 20,000 smooth bore muskets to Maynard’s primer, and

two contracts for guns; has declined, in every instance, to have anything to do with

Springfield contracts; has been applied to take contracts to furnish barrels, make parts

& c., but has refused in all cases; uses bored steel barrels; desires to make all things of

American manufacture.

Before the Commission, April 7, 1862

Mr. Remington, of Ilion, New York, was again before the commission, and says that

there should be no difference in price between the government rifle and the musket,

except the bayonet. The sword bayonet costs twice as much as the triangular, and the

difference between them should be from $1 to $1.50; would be willing to make

Springfield guns for $16, if he had assurance of work longer than one year; has all that

is requisite to make 100 guns per day, either rifle or musket, as ordered; will deliver the

10,000 already contracted for at $18 each, if the order is allowed to stand. His house

had canvassed the question of reducing their prices, but feared that their motives

might be misconstrued; says that $20 is more than the government should pay for his

arms, which cost him more than the Springfield gun; will make the Springfield guns

(with a contract for one year) at $16.

Before the Commission, April 11, 1862

Referring to our communication of the 5th April instant, in which it was proposed to

reduce the price named in the order of Gen. Ripley, of the 29th July last, for 10,000 rifles

and appendages, we now propose to apply the same principle to the order for revolvers.

The consideration that governed us in that proposal, it will be remembered, was

that arms could be manufactured cheaper and furnished upon more favorable terms

in large than in small quantities. We therefore propose to furnish the government

from 40,000 to 50,000 of our army and navy revolvers (or such quantity as our facili-

ties will enable us to make and deliver in one year after completing the order for

5,000) for $13 each, and upon receiving such additional order we will also reduce the

price (the 5,000 on hand) from $15 to $13 each. All subject to government inspection.

E. Remington & Sons

Before the Commission, April 14, 1862

Mr. Remington stated to the commission that he would make 30,000 pistols, addi-

tional, at $13, and 10,000 at $14, and 5,000 at $14.50; reducing present order to the

above prices, and including the present order.

Before the Commission, April 15, 1862

Gentlemen:

We remarked yesterday, in reply to Judge Holt’s inquiry, that United States rifles might

be furnished for less than $20, and pay a fair manufacturing profit. Major Hagner has

376

APPENDIX A

suggested that some explanation of that reply might be desirable, and requested that it

be made in writing, together with some proposition to furnish a further supply of arms.

As to the cost of this rifle, or any other arm, several things are to be considered;

such as the adaptation of the machinery to the perfect working of the several parts;

systematic division of labor, so that the various pieces shall be manipulated by opera-

tives well skilled in their respective departments; and then the whole process should be

conducted under the personal supervision of a head of sufficient skill and experience

to carry forward all the details to the final assembling of a perfect arm. In addition to

this, the quantity to be furnished and the time for delivery have an important bearing

upon the question of cost. These conditions necessarily involve the use of a large

amount of capital and the employment of artisans and operatives of skill and training,

which cannot well be improvised or suddenly diverted from other callings.

This difficulty manufacturers have always found serious, and it is now increased

by the disturbed condition of the country and the increased demand for such service

at the government armories. It will be apparent, from these considerations, that a lim-

ited order could not be filled without a loss at a rate that would pay a profit when

ordered in larger quantities, with more time for delivery.

We are now engaged upon an order given us by the ordnance department for

10,000 United States rifles and 5,000 army revolvers, at $20 each for the rifles and $15

each for the revolvers. This order, it will be observed, is quite limited, as compared

with those previously and since given for muskets and revolvers to private establish-

ments. When this order was given we were prepared with machinery and tools for

making revolvers, for which there was then a brisk merchantile demand. This enabled

us to furnish that arm to the government at $15, without particular reference to the

quality. At that time we could dispose of all we made to the trade, at prices consider-

ably in advance of that paid us by the government; so that, if the orders from the gov-

ernment were limited, the trade demand would then save us from ruinous sacrifice of

capital invested in that branch of our business. But these considerations do not apply

to the rifle. The use of that arm is confined almost exclusively to the public service. It

requires machinery and tools particularly adapted to its fabrication, involving the

investment of capital not applicable to other branches of the trade. If therefore, the

order for this arm was confined to the 10,000, there would be a loss or depreciation of

capital thus invested nearly, if not quite, equal to the profit on them at $20. In view of

these considerations, and the fact that the rifle with the sabre bayonet costs about

$1.50 more than the musket, we thought the price of $20 each for that limited quantity

was not exorbitant or unreasonable. But intending, as we do, to continue in the busi-

ness of manufacturing arms permanently, it obviously would be for our interest to

furnish them in such quantities as would enable us to reduce the price; and if the gov-

ernment would engage to take all the rifles we can make in one year after the comple-

tion of the present order for 10,000, (or say from 40,000 to 50,000,) we would furnish

them, subject to inspection, at $17, and reduce the price on the 10,000 now in hand to

$17 each; or, after completing the 10,000 rifles, we would make 50,000 Springfield

377

THE OWEN-HOLT COMMISSION

muskets with the triangular bayonet, subject to inspection of the ordnance depart-

ment, at $16 each, and in that case we would also reduce the price of the 10,000 in

hand from $20 to $17 each.

Our house has been constantly engaged in the fabrication of arms and parts of

arms for nearly forty years, and we now possess facilities for completing every part of

the rifle and revolver second only to one other private establishment in this country,

and we had expected such an increase of orders from the government as would place

us on a footing more nearly approaching equality with other private establishments.

Having business correspondence in all the principal cities of the south, we

declined all orders for arms when there was the slightest ground to suspect the loyalty

of the parties. As early as November, 1860, we commenced returning orders from our

southern customers, and we have not furnished anyone since who was known to sym-

pathize with the rebellion. Jefferson Davis ordered 5,000 rifles for the State of

Mississippi, in November, 1860, which was peremptorily declined. In this we have only

done our duty as loyal citizens. We claim no credit for performing our duty, nor do we

wish to disparage others or make uncharitable comparisons; but justice to ourselves

requires us to state that we have furnished the government with our army and navy

revolvers at $15, while it was compelled to pay $20 and $25 for large quantities of a

similar arm confessedly no better than our own; and in all our intercourse we have

been governed in all respects by the usages and regulations of the service.

In our dealings with the government, as with the general public, we have desired

to secure such legitimate profits as the skill, experience, and capital employed in the

business might fairly entitle us to, and we think we may confidently refer to our whole

record with the government, and to the facts now brought to the knowledge of the

commissioners, to determine whether we have or have not been mindful of the inter-

ests and welfare of the State.

E. Remington & Sons

Before the Commission, April 24, 1862

Mr. E. [sic] Remington appeared before the commission, and being examined under

oath, says: I am engaged in the manufacture of arms, rifles and revolvers. Our

revolvers are made after a patent; those heretofore delivered are upon Beal’s [sic]

patent; those we propose to make in the future are in accordance with Elliott’s [sic]

patent. The patented part in both cases, is the mode of releasing the cylinder from its

position and the plan of holding in the base pin or axle of cylinder.

I have examined the various revolvers now in use—our arm, the Savage, Starr, and

Colt’s—and as a mechanic familiar with the mode of such work as is required upon

these arms, I should say that the Colt’s and our own would cost about the same to

make, with equal economy in the management; and the same may be said of the

Savage and Starr. (The Savage and Starr would cost about the same.) As to the Colt’s

arm, we have examined it with care, and have decided that we could make it quite as

cheap or cheaper than our own; but we do not think the plan as good as ours. I have

378

APPENDIX A

not examined either of the others (Savage or Starr) with a view to compare the

amount of work, but have handled them frequently, and have formed the opinion

expressed upon my general knowledge and experience. I think that the difference of

cost between our own and Colt’s and the others (Savage and Starr) would not be far

from one dollar.

In regard to the actual cost of our revolver, I wish to state that we have to pay for

two patents. Our profits must therefore be proportionately larger in this, considering

the patents, than we would require on rifle or musket work. I will say that should we

be dealt with as others have been, receiving a large order for pistols, we would be glad

to make them at $12; I mean, by a large order, about 30,000 to 40,000. We can, if the

government wish it, turn out 200 to 250 per day by stopping the manufacture of navy

size. Knowing positively that we have a certain large number to make, we can do it at

the least cost.

E. Remington & Sons 7

Subsequent events were to prove that Samuel Remington was overly optimistic in his assess-

ment of the production capacity of the Remington Armory. However, his oral and written state-

ments made singular contributions in establishing fair market prices that the government was

to pay for small arms for the remainder of the Civil War.

The Joint Select Committee on Ordnance (39th and 40th Congress, 1867–68) investigating

contracts and arms purchases found that “certain correspondence between the Chief of

Ordnance and his principal subordinates at arsenals and armories under investigation had been

destroyed under the pretense that the whole of such correspondence was private and confiden-

tial.” It was further discovered that “for evident purposes of concealment, the Chief of Ordnance

kept no record in his office of any of these transactions, and that the correspondence thus

destroyed was the only written memoranda of the many official acts to which it related, and that

these destroyed documents were in fact, in form, and substance, official documents, under which

the public business at said armories and arsenals was influenced and controlled.”8

379

THE OWEN-HOLT COMMISSION

APPENDIX B

Remington–Ordnance

Department’s Civil War

Contracts

CONTRACT FOR FIVE THOUSAND NAVY REVOLVERSDATED JUNE 13, 1862

T his contract was recommended by the Owen-Holt Commission to replace an order given by the

Ordnance Department on July 29, 1861, although Remington had already delivered eight thou-

sand revolvers on the original order. This was Remington’s only contract for navy-size revolvers;

5,001 Beals and Elliot models delivered after extensions were granted by the War Department.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This Contract, made and entered into this thirteenth day of June, one thousand eight

hundred and sixty two, between E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, in the State of New

York, as principal, and George Tuckerman, of Ilion, in the state of New York, and

Henry H. Fish, of Utica, in the State of New York, as sureties, of the first part, and the

United States, by Brigadier General James W. Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, acting under

the direction of the Secretary of War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, wit-

nesseth, that the parties of the first part do hereby contract and engage with the

United States to furnish five thousand navy revolvers, calibre thirty-six hundredths of

an inch, on the following terms and conditions, viz: These revolvers are to be fur-

nished with the regular appendages, and will be in all respects identical with a pattern

to be deposited by the parties of the first part and approved by the Chief of Ordnance,

and are to interchange in all their parts: They are to be subject to inspection by United

States inspectors in the same manner that United States arms are inspected, and none

are to be received and paid for but such as pass inspection and are approved by the

United States inspectors. These five thousand revolvers are to be delivered at the

armory where made, viz: two thousand in the month of June, 1862, and not less than

one thousand per month thereafter until the whole five thousand shall have been

delivered. In case of any failure to make deliveries to the extent and within the time

381

before specified, the said party is to forfeit the right to deliver whatever number may

be deficient in the specified number for the month in which the failure occurs; and

the said party of the first part is to have the right to deliver more rapidly than accord-

ing to the number above specified if they can do so.

All these arms and appendages are to be delivered by the party of the first part;

and this contract, if transferred to another party, is to be thereby forfeited. Payments,

in such funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery, are to be

made on certificates of inspection and receipt by United States inspectors, at the rate

of twelve dollars for each arm, including appendages.

All these arms and their appendages are to be packed by the party of the first part

in boxes of the regular pattern, with fifty revolvers and appendages in each box, for

which a fair price, to be determined by the United States inspector will be allowed. It

is further understood and agreed, that if any tax shall be imposed by Congress upon

manufactured arms, the amount of such tax will be added to the price herein agreed

to be paid for the five thousand revolvers, or for so many of them as the tax shall have

been paid upon.

And the said parties of the first part do further engage and contract that no

member of Congress, officer of the Army, or any agent of the military service shall

be admitted to any share or part of this contract or agreement or to any benefit to

arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express

condition, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person

above named, shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit

to arise under it, or in case the parties of the first part in any respect fail to perform

this contract on their part, the same may be, at the option of the United States,

declared null and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which

may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the party of

the first part in delivering any or all of the articles mentioned in this contract, of the

quantity and at the time and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the parties

will forfeit and pay to the United States a sum of money not exceeding three thousand

seven hundred and fifty dollars.

And the United States do hereby contract and engage the parties of the first part

as follows: that for the articles herein contracted for which shall be delivered,

inspected and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the said E. Remington &

Sons or to their attorney, on bills, in triplicate, made in approved form and duly

authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department, the sum of twelve

dollars for each revolver and appendages complete, and for each packing box a fair

price, to be determined as above stated.

E. Remington & Sons

James W. Ripley

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance1

382

APPENDIX B

CONTRACT FOR TWENTY THOUSAND ARMY REVOLVERSDATED JUNE 13, 1862

This contract was also recommended by the Owen-Holt Commission. Although not mentioned

by name, five thousand Beals models and fifteen thousand Elliot models were called for. Actual

deliveries were about one thousand Beals, eight to ten thousand Elliots, and the balance were

New Models.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this thirteenth day of June, one thousand eight-

een hundred and sixty-two, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the State of New

York, as principal, and George Tuckerman, of Ilion, in the State of New York, and

Henry H. Fish, of Utica, in the State of New York, as sureties, of the first part, and the

United States by Brigadier General James W. Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, acting under

direction of the Secretary of War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth,

that the parties of the first part do hereby contract and engage with the said United

States to furnish twenty thousand army revolvers, calibre forty-four hundredths of an

inch, on the following terms and conditions, viz: These revolvers are to be furnished

with the regular appendages, and are to be in all respects identical with the standard

patterns; five thousand after the pattern already deposited in the Ordnance Office, and

fifteen thousand after a pattern to be deposited by the parties of the first part, and to be

approved by the Chief of Ordnance, and all of each kind are to interchange in all their

parts according to the patterns. They are to be subject to inspection by United States

inspectors in the same manner that United States arms are inspected, and none are to

be received and paid for but such as pass inspection and are approved by United States

inspectors. These twenty thousand revolvers are to be delivered at the armory where

made as follows: one thousand in the month of June, 1862; two thousand in each of the

months of July and August, 1862; one thousand in the month of September, 1862, and

not less than three thousand per month thereafter until the entire twenty thousand

shall have been delivered. And the party of the first part is to have the right to deliver

more rapidly than according to the number of arms specified if they can do so. In case

of any failures to make deliveries to the extent and within the times before specified,

the said party is to forfeit the right to deliver whatever number may be deficient in the

specified number for the month in which the failure occurs.

All these arms and appendages are to be delivered by the said party of the first

part; and this contract, if transferred to another party, is to be thereby forfeited.

Payments, in such funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery,

are to be made on certificates of inspection and receipt by the United States inspector,

at the rate of twelve dollars for each arm, including appendages.

All these arms and appendages are to be packed by the party of the first part in

boxes of the regular pattern, with fifty revolvers and appendages in each box, for which a

383

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

fair price, to be determined by the United States inspector, will be allowed. It is further

understood and agreed that if any tax shall be imposed by Congress upon manufactured

arms, the amount of such tax will be added to the price herein agreed to be paid for the

twenty thousand revolvers, or so many of them as the tax shall have been paid upon.

And the said parties of the first part do further engage and contract, that no member

of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, shall be admitted to

any share or part of this contract or agreement or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condition,

that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above named,

shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit to arise under it,

or in case the party of the first part shall in any respect fail to perform this contract on

their part, the same may be, at the option of the United States, declared null and void,

without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the parties

of the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of

the quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said

parties will forfeit and pay to the United States a sum of money not exceeding fifteen

thousand dollars.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said parties

of this first part as follows: that for the articles herein contracted for which shall

be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the said

E. Remington & Sons, or to their attorney, on bills in triplicate, made in approved

form, and duly authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department,

the sum of twelve dollars for each revolver and appendages complete, and for each

packing-box a fair price, to be determined as above stated

E. Remington & Sons, [Remington’s seal]

Jas. W. Ripley, [Ripley’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance,

Principals.2

CONTRACT FOR TEN THOUSAND HARPERS FERRY RIFLESDATED AUGUST 11, 1862

This was one of the original contracts recommended by the Owen-Holt Commission.

Remington received extensions on this contract. When they sought another extension after

delivering only seventy-five hundred rifles, the chief of ordnance instead recommended a new

contract for the missing rifles.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this eleventh day of August, one thousand eight

hundred and sixty-two, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the State of New

384

APPENDIX B

York, as principal, and George Tuckerman, of Ilion, in the State of New York, and

Henry H. Fish, of Utica, in the State of New York, as sureties, of the first part, and the

United States, by Brigadier General James W. Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, acting under

direction of the Secretary of War, for and in their behalf of the second part, witnes-

seth, that the parties of the first part do hereby contract and engage with the said

United States to furnish ten thousand Harper’s Ferry rifles with sword bayonets on the

following terms and conditions, viz: These rifles are to be furnished with the regular

appendages, and are to be in all respects identical with a standard model to be

deposited by the parties of the first part and to be approved by the chief of Ordnance.

These rifles are to be of the calibre of 58th of an inch; to have a three-leaf rear sight

and a cupped ramrod; with a sword bayonet stud similar to those of the Harper’s

Ferry rifles heretofore made by the said parties, and are to interchange in all their

parts; they are to be subject to inspection by United States inspectors in the same

manner that the Harper’s Ferry rifles were inspected, and none are to be received or

paid for but such as pass inspection and are approved by the United States inspectors.

These ten thousand rifles and appendages are to be delivered at the armory where

made, as follows, viz: five hundred in the month of September, 1862; one thousand in

the month of October, 1862; fifteen hundred in the month of November, 1862; and two

thousand monthly thereafter until the entire ten thousand shall have been delivered.

And the party of the first part is to have the right to deliver more rapidly than accord-

ing to the number of arms before specified if they can do so. In case of any failure to

make deliveries to the extent and within the time before specified, the said party are to

forfeit the right to deliver whatever number may be deficient in the specified number

for the month in which the failure occurs.

All these rifles and appendages are to be delivered by the said party of the first

part; and this contract, if transferred to another party, is to be thereby forfeited.

Payments, in such funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery,

are to be made on certificates of inspection and receipt by the United States inspec-

tors, at the rate of seventeen dollars for each rifle, including appendages.

All these arms and appendages are to be packed by the party of the first part in

boxes of the regular pattern, with twenty rifles and appendages in each box, for which a

fair price, to be determined by the United States inspector, will be allowed. It is further

understood and agreed that if any tax shall be imposed by Congress upon manufac-

tured arms, the amount of such tax will be added to the price herein agreed to be paid

for the ten thousand rifles, or as many of them as the tax shall have been paid upon.

And the said parties of the first part do further engage and contract, that no member

of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, shall be admitted to

any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit to

arise under it, or in case the parties of the first part shall in any respect fail to perform

385

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

this contract on their part, except as to the number of any monthly delivery, the same

may be, at the option of the United States, declared null and void, without affecting

their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed that if any default shall be made by the parties

of the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract,

except as to the number of any monthly delivery, of the quality and at the times and

place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said parties will forfeit and pay to

the United States a sum of money not exceeding ten thousand dollars.

And the said United states do hereby contract and engage with the said parties

of the first part as follows: that for the articles herein contracted for which shall

be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the said

E. Remington & Sons, or to their attorney, on bills in triplicate, made in approved

form, and duly authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department,

the sum of seventeen dollars for each rifle and appendages complete, and for each

packing-box a fair price, to be determined as above stated.

(The words “except as to the number of any monthly delivery” having been inter-

lined is two places before signature.)

E. Remington & Sons, [Remington’s seal]

James W. Ripley, [Ripley’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance,

Principals.3

CONTRACT FOR ARMY REVOLVERSDATED JULY 6, 1863

This contract was an open-end contract. Remington had been granted extensions on the previ-

ous army revolver contract in order to fill the required number. To avoid a repetition, the con-

tract specified that the Ordnance Department would accept all revolvers delivered by year’s end.

A total of 18,208 revolvers was delivered.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this sixth day of July, one thousand eight hundred

and sixty-three, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the State of New York, as prin-

cipals, and George Tuckerman, of Ilion, in the State of New York, and Henry H. Fish, of

Utica, in the State of New York, as sureties, of the first part, and the United States, by

Brigadier General James W. Ripley, Chief of Ordnance, acting under direction of the

Secretary of War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the parties of

the first part do hereby contract and engage with the said United States to furnish all the

army size revolvers, calibre forty-four-hundredths of an inch, which they can deliver

within the present year, on the following terms and conditions, viz: These revolvers are

to be furnished with the regular appendages, and are to be in all respects of materials,

386

APPENDIX B

workmanship, component parts and pattern, fully equal to those delivered under the con-

tract of 13th June, 1862, with the exception that the sear screw shall be made stiffer, and

such other changes shall be made as the inspector of contract arms shall deem requisite

to improve the arm, and all the parts are to be interchangeable. They are to be subject to

inspection by United States inspectors in the same manner as United States arms, and

none are to be received and paid for but such as pass inspection and are approved by the

inspector. All these revolvers are to be delivered at the armory where made, in parcels of

not less than five hundred at a time, and as rapidly as possible provided, that the whole

number to be received under this contract shall not exceed twenty thousand, and that

none shall be received after the expiration of the current year 1863.

All these revolvers and appendages are to be delivered by the said parties of the

first part: and this contract, if transferred to another party, is to be thereby forfeited.

Payment, in such funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each payment,

are to be made on certificate of inspection and receipt by United States inspectors, at

the rate of twelve dollars for each revolver, including appendages.

All these revolvers and appendages are to be packed by the parties of the first part

in boxes of the regular pattern, with fifty revolvers and appendages in each box, for

which boxes a fair price, to be determined by the inspector, will be allowed.

And the said parties of the first part do further engage and contract, that no member

of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service shall be admitted to

any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condition,

that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above named,

shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit to arise under it;

or in case the parties of the first part shall in any respect fail to perform this contract on

their part, the same may be, at the option of the United States, declared null and void,

without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the parties of the

first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of the quality

and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said parties will for-

feit and pay to the United States a sum of money not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said parties

of the first part as follows: That for the articles herein contracted for which shall

be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the said

E. Remington & Sons, or to their attorney, on bills in triplicate, made in approved

form, and duly authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department,

the sum of twelve dollars for each revolver and appendages complete, and for each

packing box a fair price, to be determined as above stated.

E. Remington & Sons, [Remington’s seal]

James W. Ripley, [Ripley’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance,

Principals.4

387

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

CONTRACT FOR 64,900 ARMY REVOLVERSDATED NOVEMBER 21, 1863

This was the largest contract for revolvers granted during the Civil War. Remington had two

armories producing revolvers at this time, but even with both the Ilion and Utica facilities concen-

trating on revolver production, Remington was able to produce only 57,005 revolvers during 1864.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this twenty-first day of November, one thou-

sand eight hundred and sixty-three, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the

State of New York, of the first part, and the United States, by Brigadier General Geo.

D. Ramsay, Chief of Ordnance, acting under direction and by authority of the

Secretary of War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the par-

ties of the first part do hereby contract and engage the second part, witnesseth, that

the parties of the first part do hereby contract and engage with the said United States

to furnish sixty-four thousand nine hundred army size revolvers, calibre forty-four

hundredths of an inch, on the following terms and conditions, viz: These revolvers

are to be furnished with all appendages required for service, with the exception of

bullet-moulds, and are to be in all respects identical with a standard pattern to be

approved by the Chief of Ordnance; two models of which are to be furnished upon

the execution of this contract, one to be deposited in the Ordnance Office,

Washington, D.C., and the other retained by the United States inspector of small-

arms. All these revolvers to be subject to inspection in the same manner that United

States arms are inspected, and none are to be received or paid for but such as pass

inspection and are approved by the United States inspectors. All the revolvers are to

be delivered at the armory where made as follows, viz: 6,500 in the month of January,

1864; 7,800 in February; 9,000 in March, and 10,400 per month thereafter until the

entire sixty-four thousand nine-hundred are delivered. All these revolvers are to

interchange in all their parts with the standard revolver and with each other. In case

of any failure to make deliveries to the extent and within the times before specified,

the party of the first part is to forfeit the right to deliver whatever number may be

deficient for the month in which the failure occurs.

All these revolvers and appendages are to be delivered by the said party of the first

part; and this contract, if transferred to another party, is to be thereby forfeited.

Payments, in such funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery,

are to be made on certificates of inspection and receipt by the United States inspec-

tors, at the rate of twelve dollars for each revolver, including appendages.

All these revolvers and appendages are to be packed by the party of the first part

in good and sufficient boxes of an approved pattern, with as many in each box as the

inspector shall direct, and for which a fair price, to be determined by the United States

inspector, will be allowed.

388

APPENDIX B

And the said party of the first part does further engage and contract, that no

member of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, shall

be admitted to any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to

arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit to arise

under it, or in case the party of the first part shall in any respect fail to perform this

contract on its part, the same may be, at the option of the United States, declared null

and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the parties

of the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of

the quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said

party will forfeit and pay to the United States a sum of money not exceeding sixty-five

thousand dollars.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said party

of the first part as follows: That for each of the articles herein contracted for which

shall be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the

said E. Remington & Sons or to their attorney, on bills in triplicate, made in approved

form, and duly authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department, the

sum of twelve dollars ($12) for each revolver, including appendages.

E. Remington & Sons. [Remington’s seal]

George D. Ramsay, [Ramsay’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance.5

CONTRACT FOR TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED HARPERS FERRY RIFLESDATED DECEMBER 13, 1863

Some researchers have erroneously concluded that this contract was in addition to the original

contract that Remington had received on August 11, 1862. My research has shown that the origi-

nal contract was aborted after the firm had delivered only seventy-five hundred arms. This con-

tract was intended to allow Remington to complete deliveries of the original ten thousand arms

called for.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this thirteenth day of December, one-thousand

eight hundred and sixty-three, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the State of

New York, of the first part, and the United States, by Brigadier General George D.

Ramsay, Chief of Ordnance, acting under direction and by authority of the Secretary of

War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the party of the first part

does hereby contract and engage with the said United States to furnish two thousand five

389

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

hundred Harper’s Ferry rifles, with sword bayonets, on the following terms and condi-

tions, viz: These rifles are to be furnished with the regular appendages, and are to be in all

respects identical with those delivered by the party of the first part under a contract dated

August 11, 1862. They are to be subject to inspection by a United States inspector, in the

same manner that Harper’s Ferry rifles were inspected, and none are to be received or

paid for but such as pass inspection and are approved by the United States inspector.

These two thousand five hundred rifles and appendages are all to be delivered at the

armory where made on or before the 8th day of January, 1864.

All these rifles and appendages are to be delivered by the said party of the first

part in good and sufficient boxes of an approved pattern, with twenty rifles and

appendages in each box, and for which a fair price, to be determined by the United

States inspector, will be allowed.

And the said party of the first part does further engage and contract, that no member

of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, shall be admitted to

any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit to arise

under it, or in case the party of the first part shall in any respect fail to perform this

contract on its part, the same may be, at the option of the United States, declared null

and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the party of

the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of the

quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said

party will forfeit and pay to the United States a sum of money not exceeding four

thousand dollars.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said party

of the first part as follows: that for each of the articles herein contracted for which

shall be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the said

E. Remington & Sons, or to their attorney, on bills in triplicate, made in approved

form and duly authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department, the

sum of seventeen dollars ($17) for each rifle, including appendages.

E. Remington & Sons. [Remington’s seal]

George D. Ramsay, [Ramsay’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance.6

CONTRACT FOR FORTY THOUSAND SPRINGFIELD RIFLE MUSKETSDATED DECEMBER 14, 1863

This contract was granted to replace a contract for Springfield Muskets that Remington had

received on August 11, 1863. That contract had expired when no deliveries were made. The first

deliveries were made on May 31, 1864, and by the war’s end, only seventeen thousand muskets

390

APPENDIX B

had been delivered. In contrast to other contractors who lost similar contracts, Remington was

granted extensions and allowed to maintain deliveries after the war’s end, and the final delivery

was made on January 30, 1866.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this fourteenth day of December, one thousand

eight hundred and sixty-three, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the State of

New York, of the first part, and the United States, by Brigadier General George D.

Ramsay, Chief of Ordnance, acting under direction and by authority of the Secretary

of War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the party of the

first part does hereby contract and engage with the said United States to furnish forty

thousand Springfield rifle muskets and appendages of the model of 1855 as modified

in 1861, to be in all respects identical with a standard pattern to be approved by the

Chief of Ordnance, two models of which are to be furnished upon the execution of

this contract; one to be deposited at the Ordnance Office, Washington, D.C., and the

other retained by the inspector of small arms. All and each of the said 40,000 mus-

kets are to interchange in all their parts with the pattern arm and with each other; all

of which are to be subject to the same degree of inspection as the arms made for but

such as pass inspection and are approved by the United States inspector. The

appendages to be furnished with these 40,000 rifle muskets to consist of one extra

cone, one tompion, one wiper, one screw-driver and cone wrench to each musket;

and one ball-screw, one spring vice, and one tumbler and wire punch to every ten

(10) muskets. These rifle muskets and appendages are to be delivered at the armory

where made, as follows, viz: one thousand in January, 1864, two thousand in

February, two thousand in March, three thousand in April, four thousand in May,

and four thousand per month thereafter until the entire 40,000 muskets are deliv-

ered. And the party of the first part is to have the right to deliver more rapidly than

according to the number specified if they can do so. In case of any failures to make

deliveries to the extent and within the times before specified, the said party is to for-

feit the right to deliver whatever number may be deficient in the months in which the

failure occurs. This contract is given upon the express condition that the party of the

first part shall furnish and keep accurate a complete set of gauges for the inspection

of interchangeable work for the use of the United States inspector, and which shall be

verified as he may direct.

All these rifle muskets and appendages are to be delivered by the said party of the

first part; and this contract, if transferred to another party, is to be thereby forfeited.

Payments, in such funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery,

are to be made on certificates of inspection and receipt by the United States inspec-

tors, at the rate of eighteen dollars ($18) for each rifle musket, including appendages.

All these rifle muskets and appendages are to be packed by the party of the first

part in good and sufficient boxes of an approved pattern, with twenty muskets and

391

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

appendages in each box, for which a fair price, to be determined by the United States

inspector, will be allowed.

And the said party of the first part does further engage and contract that no member

of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, shall be admitted to

any share or part of this contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, shall be admitted to any share or part of this contract or to any benefit to arise

under it, or in case the party of the first part shall in any respect fail to perform this

contract on its part, the same may be, at the option of the United States, declared null

and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the party of

the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of the

quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said

party will forfeit and pay to the United States a sum of money not exceeding thirty-

five thousand dollars.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said party

of the first part as follows: That for each of the articles herein contracted for which

shall be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid to the

said E. Remington & Sons or to their attorney, on bills in triplicate, made in approved

form, and duly authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department, the

sum of eighteen dollars ($18) for each rifle musket, including appendages.

E. Remington & Sons. [Remington’s seal]

Geo. D. Ramsay, [Ramsay’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance.7

CONTRACT FOR FIFTEEN THOUSAND REMINGTON CARBINESDATED OCTOBER 24, 1864

This contract was for Rider’s patent large frame split-breech carbines. This was the precursor to

Rider’s more well-known patent for the rolling block system. When this contract was granted,

Remington was fully engrossed in the manufacture of army revolvers and Springfield muskets.

Through an agreement with Samuel Norris, the carbines were manufactured by the Savage Revolving

Arms Company. The contract was executed on October 24, 1864, but the first deliveries were not

made until September 30, 1865. The final delivery of 992 carbines was made to the New York Arsenal

on May 24, 1866. Many of these carbines were apparently never issued. Most of them were resold to

Remington for delivery to the French government during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this twenty-fourth day of October, one thousand

eight hundred and sixty-four, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the State of

392

APPENDIX B

New York, of the first part, and the United States, by Brigadier General A. B. Dyer, Chief

of Ordnance, acting under direction and by authority of the Secretary of War, for and in

their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the parties of the first part do hereby

contract and engage with the said United States to furnish fifteen thousand Remington

carbines and appendages. These carbines are to be supplied with all the appendages nec-

essary for their use in service, and are to be identical in every respect with a standard

pattern or model carbine to be approved by the Chief of Ordnance, two of which are to

be furnished by the parties of the first part upon the execution of the contract, one to be

forwarded to the office of the Chief of Ordnance, Washington, District of Columbia, the

other to be sent to the office of the inspector of small-arms, in the city of New York.

These carbines and appendages are to be delivered at the armory where fabricated, as

follows, viz: one hundred on or before the first day of June, 1865, one thousand on or

before the first day of July, two thousand on or before the first day of August, three

thousand on or before the first day of September, 1865, and three thousand five hundred

per month thereafter until the said whole number of fifteen thousand carbines and

appendages are delivered; the parties of the first part to have the right to make deliveries

at earlier periods and in larger quantities than above set forth. All the carbines herein

contracted for are to interchange in all their parts with the two standard carbines and

with each other; and the parties of the first part are to furnish such spare parts as may

be required for repairs at a price for each part which shall not exceed in the aggregate

the price paid for the complete carbine under contract.

All these carbines and appendages are to be delivered by the said parties of the

first part; and all claims under this contract, if transferred to another party, are to be

by such transfer forfeited, saving the rights of the United States. Payments, in such

funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery, are to be made on

certificates of inspection and receipt by the United States inspectors, at the rate of

twenty-three dollars ($23) for each carbine, including appendages.

All these carbines and appendages are to be packed by the parties of the first part

in good and sufficient boxes of an approved pattern, with as many in each box as the

inspector shall direct, for which a fair price, to be determined by the United States

inspector, will be allowed.

And the said parties of the first part do further engage and contract, that no

member of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, or other

person forbidden by law so to do, is, or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this

contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, is, or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit

to arise under it, or in case the parties of the first part shall in any respect fail to per-

form this contract on their part, the same may be, at the option of the United States,

declared null and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may

have occurred.

393

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the parties

of the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of

the quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said

parties will forfeit and pay to the United States the sum of thirty-four thousand five

hundred dollars, as agreed, and liquidated damages.

The said E. Remington & Sons shall indemnify the United States and all persons

acting under them for all liability on account of any patent rights heretofore granted

by the United States; and in case of overwhelming and unforeseen accident, by fire or

otherwise, the circumstances shall be taken into equitable consideration by the United

States before claiming forfeiture for non-delivery at the time specified.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said parties of

the first part as follows: that for each of the articles herein contracted for which shall

be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid, in the funds

aforesaid, to the said E. Remington & Sons, the covenantor, their heirs, executors, or

administrators, on bills in triplicate made in approved form, and duly authenticated

by the proper officers of the ordnance department, the sum of twenty-three dollars

($23) for each carbine, including appendages.

E. Remington & Sons [Remington’s seal]

A. B. Dyer, [Dyer’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance.8

CONTRACT FOR TWENTY THOUSAND ARMY REVOLVERSDATED OCTOBER 24, 1864

This was Remington’s final Civil War revolver contract. Remington seems to have finally attained

the goal of seven thousand revolvers per month, but the war ended almost simultaneously with

the expiration of this contract.

Contract made by Chief of Ordnance withE. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, New York.

This contract, made and entered into this twenty-fourth day of October, one thou-

sand eight hundred and sixty-four, between E. Remington & Sons, of Ilion, in the

State of New York, of the first part, and the United States, by Brigadier General A. B.

Dyer, Chief of Ordnance, acting under direction and by authority of the Secretary of

War, for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the parties of the

first part do hereby contract and engage with the said United States to furnish twenty

thousand (20,000) army size revolvers and appendages. These revolvers and

appendages are to be identical in every respect with those furnished by the parties of

the first part under a contract dated November 21, 1863, for 64,900. They are to be

subject to inspection in the usual manner, and none are to be received or paid for

except such as pass the inspection of and are approved by the United States inspector.

Deliveries are to be made at the armory where fabricated as follows: not less than

394

APPENDIX B

seven thousand revolvers and appendages in the month of January, 1865, and at a rate

of not less than seven thousand per month thereafter until the entire number of

twenty thousand revolvers and appendages herein contracted for is delivered. And the

parties of the first part are to have the right to deliver more rapidly than above set

forth if they can do so.

All these revolvers and appendages are to be delivered by the said parties of the

first part; and all claims under this contract, if transferred to another party, are to be

by such transfer forfeited, saving the rights of the United States. Payments, in such

funds as the Treasury Department may provide for each delivery, are to be made on

certificates of inspection and receipt by the United States inspectors, at the rate of fif-

teen dollars and fifty cents ($15.50) for each revolver, including appendages.

All these revolvers and appendages are to be packed by the parties of the first part

in good and sufficient boxes of an approved pattern, with as many in each box as the

inspector shall direct, for which a fair price, to be determined by the United States

inspector, will be allowed.

And the said parties of the first part do further engage and contract, that no

member of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, or other

person forbidden by law so to do, is, or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this

contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any such member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, is, or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit

to arise under it, or in case the parties of the first part shall in any respect fail to per-

form this contract on their part, the same may be, at the option of the United States,

declared null and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may

have occurred.

It is furthered stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the par-

ties of the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract,

of the quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the

said parties will forfeit and pay to the United States the sum of thirty-one thousand

dollars, as agreed and liquidated damages.

The said E. Remington & Sons shall indemnify the United States and all persons

acting under them for all liability on account of any patent rights heretofore granted

by the United States, and in case of overwhelming and unforeseen accident by fire or

otherwise, the circumstances shall be taken into equitable consideration by the United

States before claiming forfeiture for non-delivery at the times specified.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said parties

of the first part as follows: That for each of the articles herein contracted for which

shall be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid, in the

funds aforesaid, to the said E. Remington & Sons, the covenanter, their heirs, execu-

tors, or administrators, on bills in triplicate, made in approved form, and duly

authenticated by the proper officers of the ordnance department, the sum of fifteen

395

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

dollars and fifty cents for each revolver, including appendages, delivered as herein-

before stated.

E. Remington & Sons. [Remington’s seal]

A. B. Dyer, [Dyer’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance.9

CONTRACT FOR FIVE THOUSAND REMINGTON CARBINESDATED JANUARY 19, 1865

This contract was for five thousand of Rider’s patent small frame split-breech carbines.

Remington had originally signed a contract for one thousand of these carbines on March 24,

1864. The contract expired with none of the arms delivered. A new contract was granted in

January 1865, and the carbines were actually delivered prior to those of the previous contract for

fifteen thousand of the large frame carbines. The contract was signed by Samuel Norris, with

whom Remington had made arrangements for their manufacture. Norris had the carbines man-

ufactured by the Savage Revolving Arms Company.

Contract made by the Chief of Ordnance andSamuel Norris of Springfield, Massachusetts.

This contract, made and entered into this nineteenth day of January, one thousand

eight hundred and sixty five, between Samuel Norris, of Springfield, in the State of

Massachusetts, of the first part, and the United States, by Brigadier General A. B. Dyer,

Chief of Ordnance, acting under direction and by authority of the Secretary of War,

for and in their behalf, of the second part, witnesseth, that the party of the first part

does hereby contract and engage with the said United States to furnish five thousand

(5,000) Remington carbines and appendages. These carbines are to be supplied with

all the appendages necessary for their use in service, and are to conform strictly in

every respect with a standard pattern carbine to be approved by the Chief of

Ordnance; three models of which are to be forwarded by the party of the first part as

soon, after this contract is executed, as possible, to the office of the Chief of Ordnance,

Washington, D.C. These carbines are to interchange with each other and with the

standard patterns in all their parts. They are to be inspected at the armory where fab-

ricated, and none are to be received and paid for except such as pass the usual inspec-

tion and are approved by the United States inspector. Deliveries, which are to be made

at the place of fabrication, are to be made as follows, viz: not less than twelve hundred

and fifty (1,250) carbines and appendages on or before the twenty-eighth day of

February, 1865; not less than fifteen hundred (1,500) on or before the thirty-first day of

March, 1865; and not less than two thousand two hundred and fifty (2,250) on or

before the thirtieth day of April, 1865, and the party of the first part is to have the

right to deliver more rapidly than above set forth, if he can do so, but in case of any

failure to make deliveries to the extent and within the times above stated, then the said

party is to forfeit the right to deliver whatever number of carbines may be deficient in

396

APPENDIX B

the specified number for the month in which the failure occurs. The party of the first

part shall supply such spare parts of this carbine as may be needed for repairs, as may

be ordered from time to time by the Chief of Ordnance, or an officer acting under his

orders, at a price for each part which shall make the total price of all the parts com-

prised in this carbine equal to the price to be paid for a complete arm under this con-

tract, until such time as a new contract may be awarded him. The relative prices of the

parts to each other to be subject to the approval of the inspector of small arms.

All these carbines and appendages are to be delivered by the said parties of the

first part; and all claims under this contract, if transferred to another party, are to be

by such transfer forfeited, saving the rights of the United States. Payments, in such

funds as the Treasury Department may provide, for each delivery, are to be made on

certificates of inspection and receipt by United States inspectors, at a rate of seventeen

dollars ($17) for each carbine, including appendages.

All these carbines and appendages are to be packed by the parties of the first part

in good and sufficient boxes of an approved pattern, with as many in each box as the

inspector shall direct, for which a fair price, to be determined by the United States

inspector, will be allowed.

And the said party of the first part does further engage and contract, that no

member of Congress, officer of the army, or any agent of the military service, or other

person forbidden by law to do so, is, or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this

contract or agreement, or to any benefit to arise thereupon.

And it is hereby expressly provided, and this contract is upon the express condi-

tion, that if any member of Congress, officer of the army, or other person above

named, is, or shall be, admitted to any share or part of this contract, or to any benefit

to arise under it, or in case the party of the first part in any respect fails to perform this

contract on his part, the same may be, at the option of the United States, declared null

and void, without affecting their right to recover for defaults which may have occurred.

It is further stipulated and agreed, that if any default shall be made by the party of

the first part in delivering all or any of the articles mentioned in this contract, of the

quality and at the times and place therein provided, that then, in that case, the said

party will forfeit and pay to the United States the sum of eight thousand and five hun-

dred dollars, as agreed and liquidated damages.

And the said United States do hereby contract and engage with the said party of

the first part as follows: That for each of the articles herein contracted for which shall

be delivered, inspected, and approved as aforesaid, there shall be paid, in the funds

aforesaid, to the said Samuel Norris, the covenantor, his heirs, executors, or adminis-

trators, on bills in triplicate, made in approved form, and duly authenticated by the

proper officers of the ordnance department, the sum as above stated.

Samuel Norris [Norris’s seal]

A. B. Dyer [Dyer’s seal]

Brigadier General, Chief of Ordnance10

397

REMINGTON–ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT’S CIVIL WAR CONTRACTS

APPENDIX C

Serial

Number–Production

Date Tables

399

400

APPEN

DIX

CREMINGTON NAVY REVOLVERS’ APPROXIMATE DATE OF MANUFACTURE BY SERIAL NUMBER

A lthough these estimates are based on known serial numbers mentioned in correspondence and delivery figures to the Ordnance

Department and the Bureau of Ordnance, they should be used as estimates only. Serial numbers of navy revolvers manufactured

after the Civil War are difficult to estimate, as there are no remaining records or correspondence. Most revolvers with serial numbers

between 36,000 and 42,000 (approximately) were first produced as percussion before being altered to cartridge. Serial numbers above

approximately 42,000 were produced as cartridge revolvers. Navy revolver production reached approximately 49,000 before being dis-

continued about 1880.

Months that have no serial numbers listed are periods when Remington shut down navy revolver production.

1861 SERIAL 1862 SERIAL 1863 SERIAL 1864 SERIAL 1865 SERIALNUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS

Jan. — Jan. 7,201–8,500 Jan. 19,801–20,300 Jan. 25,801–26,300 Jan. 30,301–30,800

Feb. — Feb. 8,501–10,000 Feb. 20,301–20,800 Feb. 26,301–26,800 Feb. 30,801–31,300

Mar. — Mar. 10,001–11,500 Mar. 20,801–21,300 Mar. 26,801–27,300 Mar. 31,301–31,800

Apr. 1–400 Apr. 11,501–12,500 Apr. 21,301–21,800 Apr. 27,301–27,800 Apr. 31,801–32,000

May 1–500 May 12,501–14,000 May 21,801–22,300 May — May 32,001–32,200

Jun. 501–1,100 Jun. 14,001–15,000 Jun. 22,301–22,800 Jun. 27,801–28,300 Jun. 32,201–32,400

Jul. 1,101–1,700 Jul. 15,001–15,800 Jul. 22,801–23,300 Jul. 28,301–28,800 Jul. 32,401–32,600

Aug. 1,701–2,400 Aug. 15,801–16,600 Aug. 23,301–23,800 Aug. 28,801–29,300 Aug. 32,601–32,800

Sep. 2,401–3,200 Sep. 16,601–17,400 Sep. 23,801–24,300 Sep. 29,301–29,800 Sep. 32,801–33,000

Oct. 3,201–4,100 Oct. 17,401–18,200 Oct. 24,301–24,800 Oct. — Oct. 33,001–33,200

Nov. 4,101–6,000 Nov. 18,201–19,000 Nov. 24,801–25,300 Nov. — Nov. 33,201–33,400

Dec. 6,001–7,200 Dec. 19,001–19,800 Dec. 25,301–25,800 Dec. 29,801–30,300 Dec. 33,401–33,600

401

SER

IAL N

UM

BER

–PR

OD

UC

TIO

N D

ATE TA

BLES

REMINGTON ARMY REVOLVERS’ APPROXIMATE DATE OF MANUFACTURE BY SERIAL NUMBER

These estimates are based on monthly deliveries to the Ordnance Department plus an allowance for defective or rejected revolvers.

Remington ceased production of the army revolver at the end of the Civil War but did continue to manufacture some parts for the

Ordnance Department.

1862 SERIAL 1863 SERIAL 1864 SERIAL 1865 SERIALNUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS NUMBERS

Jan. — Jan. 7,586–10,885 Jan. 51,286–54,585 Jan. 124,351–132,800

Feb. — Feb. 10,886–14,185 Feb. 54,586–59,205 Feb. 132,801–141,290

Mar. — Mar. 14,186–17,490 Mar. 59,206–65,800 Mar. 141,291–148,550

Apr. 1–425 Apr. 17,491–20,795 Apr. 65,801–69,760 Apr. —

May 426–875 May 20,796–24,755 May 69,761–75,950 May —

Jun. 876–1,360 Jun. 24,756–27,265 Jun. 75,951–83,210 Jun. —

Jul. 1,361–2,075 Jul. 27,266–29,905 Jul. 83,211–89,260 Jul. —

Aug. 2,076–2,730 Aug. 29,906–34,525 Aug. 89,261–96,520 Aug. —

Sep. 2,731–3,365 Sep. 34,526–37,825 Sep. 96,521–101,360 Sep. —

Oct. 3,366–5,315 Oct. 37,826–42,705 Oct. 101,361–107,410 Oct. —

Nov. 5,316–6,675 Nov. 42,706–47,325 Nov. 107,411–113,460 Nov. —

Dec. 6,676–7,585 Dec. 47,326–51,285 Dec. 113,461–124,350 Dec. —

NOTES

PROLOGUE

1. Ezra J. Warner, Generals in Blue (Baton Rouge, LA: LSU Press, 1964).2. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,

D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 6, “Letters Sentto Ordnance Officers.”

3. Ibid.4. Ibid.5. Ibid.6. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters Sent to the Secretary of War.”7. NA, RG 74, “Preliminary Inventory of Records of the Bureau of Ordnance,” Publication

No. 52-5.

CHAPTER ONE

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 5, “Letters,Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”

2. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”3. Herkimer Democrat, courtesy of Herkimer Historical Society.4. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”5. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”6. Ibid.7. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”8. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”9. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”10. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”11. NA, Senate RG 40, House RG 233, Senate Executive Document No. 72, House Executive

Document No. 40, 37th Cong., 2d sess.12. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”13. Ibid. (source for previous four letters).14. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”15. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”16. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”17. NA, RG 156, Entry 79, “Statements of Purchases of Ordnance.”18. NA, RG 156, Entry 13, “Letters, Telegrams, and Endorsements Sent.”19. Herkimer Democrat, courtesy of Herkimer Historical Society.

403

20. NA, Senate RG 40, House RG 233, Senate Executive Document No. 72, House ExecutiveDocument No. 40, 37th Cong., 2d sess.

21. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”22. Ibid.23. NA, Senate RG 46, House RG 233, Senate Executive Document No. 72, House Executive

Document No. 40, 37th Cong., 2d sess.24. NA, RG 46, Senate Executive Document No. 99, 40th Cong., 2d sess.25. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”26. Ibid.27. Ibid.28. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”29. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”30. Ibid.31. Ibid.32. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”33. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”34. Ibid.35. Charles Lee and Carol Robbins Karr, Remington Handguns (Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole,

1946), 151.36. Herkimer Democrat, courtesy of Herkimer Historical Society.37. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”38. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”39. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”

CHAPTER TWO

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 6, “Letters Sentto Ordnance Officers.”

2. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”3. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”4. Ibid.5. Ibid.6. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”7. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”8. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”9. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”10. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”11. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”12. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”13. Ibid.14. Ibid.15. Ibid.16. Ibid.

404

NOTES TO PAGES 14–38

17. Ibid.18. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”19. Ibid.20. Ibid.21. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”22. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”23. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers” (source for previous two letters).24. NA, RG 156, Entry 201, “Register of Inspector’s Reports.”25. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”26. Ibid.27. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”28. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”29. NA, RG 74, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”30. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”31. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”32. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”33. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”34. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”35. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”36. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”37. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”38. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”39. Ibid.40. NA, RG 156, Entry 80, “Memorandum of Receipts.”41. NA, RG 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”

CHAPTER THREE

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 6, “Letters Sentto Ordnance Officers.”

2. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”3. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”4. Ibid.5. Ibid.6. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”7. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”8. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”9. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”10. Ibid.11. Ibid.12. NA, RG 156, Entry 201, “Reports of Experiments.”13. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”14. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”

405

NOTES TO PAGES 40–81

15. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”16. Ibid.17. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”18. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”19. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”20. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”21. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”22. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”23. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”24. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”25. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”26. Ibid.

CHAPTER FOUR

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 3, “Letters,Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”

2. Ibid.3. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”4. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”5. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”6. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”7. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”8. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”9. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”10. Ibid.11. Ibid.12. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”13. Ibid.14. Ilion Public Library, Ilion, New York (source for previous five letters).15. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”16. NA, RG 156, Entry 201, “Reports of Experiments.”17. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”18. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”19. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”20. New Jersey State Library, Trenton, “Quartermaster General’s Report, 1864–1865.”21. Ibid.22. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”23. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”24. Ibid.25. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”26. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”27. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”

406

NOTES TO PAGES 81–110

28. Ibid.29. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”30. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”31. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”32. Ibid.33. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”34. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”35. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”36. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”

CHAPTER FIVE

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 3, “Letters,Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”

2. Ibid.3. NA, RG 156, Entry 1351, Springfield Armory, “Letters Sent.”4. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”5. Ibid.6. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”7. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”8. Ibid.9. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”10. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”11. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”12. Ibid.

CHAPTER SIX

1. National Archives of the United States, Military Records Department. Washington, D.C.Record Group 74, Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous LettersSent.”

2. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”3. NA, RG 74, Entry 145, “Correspondence Regarding the Examination of Inventions.”4. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”5. Ibid.6. Ibid.7. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”8. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”9. NA, RG 74, Entry 145, “Correspondence Regarding the Examination of Inventions.”10. Ibid.11. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”12. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”13. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”

407

NOTES TO PAGES 111–40

14. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”15. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”16. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”17. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”18. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”19. NA, RG 74, Entry 145, “Correspondence Regarding the Examination of Inventions.”20. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”21. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”22. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”23. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”24. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”25. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”26. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”27. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”28. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”29. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”30. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”31. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”32. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”33 NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”34. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”35. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”36. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”37. Ibid.38. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”39. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”40. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”41. Ibid.42. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”43. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”44. Ibid.45 NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”46 NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”47. Ibid.48. Ibid.49. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”50. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”51. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”52. Ibid.53. Ibid.54. Ibid.55. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”56. NA, RG 74, Entry 158, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment.”57. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”

408

NOTES TO PAGES 140–54

58. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”59. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”60. Ibid.61. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”62. Ibid.63. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”64. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”65. Ibid.66. Ibid.67. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”68. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”69. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”70. Ibid.71. “Terrible Gunpowder Explosion,” New York Times, 13 May 1863, page and column

unknown, courtesy of Drury Williford.72. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”73. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”74. Ibid.75. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”76. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”77. Ibid.78. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”79. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”80. Ibid.81. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”82. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”83. Ibid.84. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”85. Ibid.86. Ibid.87. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”88. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”89. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”90. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”91. Ibid.92. Ibid.93. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”94. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”95. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”96. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”97. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”98. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”99. Ibid.100. Ibid.

409

NOTES TO PAGES 155–70

101. NA, House Executive Document 1221, 38th Cong., 2d sess., “Report of the Secretary of theNavy,” p. 851.

102. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”103. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”104. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”105. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”106. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”107. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”108. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”109. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”110. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”111. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”112. Ibid.113. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”114. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”115. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”116. Ibid.117. Ibid.118. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”119. Ibid.120. Ibid.121. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”122. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”123. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”124. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”.125. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”126. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”127. NA, RG 74, Entry 158, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment.”128. Ibid.129. U.S. Navy, Bureau of Ordnance, 1866, “Ordnance Instructions for the United States

Navy,” part 3, p. 79, para. 258.130 NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”131. NA, RG 45, Entry 464, File BH, “Collection of the Office of Naval Records

and Library.”132. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”133. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations.”134. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 3, “Letters,Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”

2. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”

410

NOTES TO PAGES 171–92

3. Ibid.4. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary

of War.”5. Ibid.6. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”7. Norm Flayderman, Guide to Antique American Arms, 6th ed. (Northbrook, IL: DBI Books,

1994), 151–52.8. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”9. NA, RG 156, Entry 1354, Springfield Armory, “Letters and Endorsements Sent to the Chief

of Ordnance.”10. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”11. Ibid.12. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”13. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”14. NA, RG 156, Entry 1354, Springfield Armory, “Letters and Endorsements Sent to the Chief

of Ordnance.”15. NA, RG 156, Entry 83, “Purchases of Cannon, Ordnance, Projectiles and Small Arms.”16. NA, RG 156, Entry 201, “Reports of Experiments.”17. Ibid.18. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”19. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”20. NA, RG 156, Entry 1354, Springfield Armory, “Letters and Endorsements Sent to the Chief

of Ordnance.”21. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”22. Ibid.23. NA, RG 156, Entry 1354, Springfield Armory, “Letters and Endorsements Sent to the Chief

of Ordnance.”24. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”25. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”26. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary

of War.”27. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”28. Ibid.29. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”30. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”31. Ibid.32. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”33. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”34. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”35. NA, RG 156, Entry 201, “Reports of Experiments.”36. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”37. NA, RG 156, Entry 124, “Registry of Sales of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores.”38. Norm Flayderman, Guide to Antique American Arms and Their Values, 6th ed. (Northbrook,

IL: DBI Books, 1994), 151–52.

411

NOTES TO PAGES 193–216

CHAPTER EIGHT

1. Herkimer County Citizen, May 25, 1866, vol. 111, no. 14, 4, courtesy of Roy Marcot.2. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington

D.C., Record Group 156, Records of the Army Ordnance Department, Entry 3, “Letters,Endorsements, and Circulars Sent (Miscellaneous Letters).”

3. NA, RG 156, Entry 1362, Springfield Armory, “Letters Received (Miscellaneous).”4. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”5. Ibid.6. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent (Miscellaneous Letters).”7. NA, RG 156, Entry 1386, Springfield Armory, “Reports of Tests of Ordnance.”8. NA, RG 74, Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”9. NA, RG 74, Entry 145, “Correspondence Regarding the Examination of Inventions.”10. NA, RG 156, Entry 1351, Springfield Armory, “Letters Sent.”11. John E. Parsons, Smith & Wesson Revolvers (New York: William Morrow & Company, 1957), 62–63.12. Ibid.13. NA, RG 156, Entry 5, “Letters, Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”14. NA, RG 156, “Ordnance Memoranda No. 11.”15. Ibid.16. Ibid.17. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”18. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent (Miscellaneous Letters).”19. NA, RG 156, “Ordnance Memoranda No. 11.”20. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”21. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent (Miscellaneous Letters).”22. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”23. NA, RG 156, Entry 1365, Springfield Armory, “Letters Received from Officials and Officers

of the War Department (‘Official’).”24. NA, RG 156, Entry 1386, Springfield Armory, “Reports of Tests of Ordnance.”25. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”26. NA, RG 156, Entry 1351, Springfield Armory, “Letters Sent.”27. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”28. Ibid.29. Ibid.30. NA, RG 156, Entry 1365, Springfield Armory, “Letters Received from Officials and Officers

of the War Department (‘Official’).”31. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”32. Ibid.33. Ibid.34. Ibid.35. Ibid.36. Ibid.37. NA, RG 156, Entry 1354, Springfield Armory, “Letters and Endorsements Sent to the

Chief of Ordnance.”

412

NOTES TO PAGES 228–62

38. NA, RG 156, Entry 201, “Reports of Experiments.”39. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”40. NA, RG 156, Entry 3, “Letters, Endorsements, and Circulars Sent (Miscellaneous Letters).”41. NA, RG 156, Entry 21, “Miscellaneous Letters Received.”42. Army and Navy Journal, vol. 10, no. 21 (January 25, 1873), courtesy of Jay Huber.

CHAPTER NINE

1. C. Kenneth Moore, Colt Revolvers and the U.S. Navy, 1865–1889 (Bryn Mawr, PA: Dorrance& Co., 1987).

2. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,D.C., Record Group (RG) 74, Records of the Bureau of Ordnance, Entry 5, “MiscellaneousLetters Sent, 1873–1884.”

3. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”4. NA, RG 74, Entry 158, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment.”5. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”6. Ibid.7. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”8. NA, RG 74, Entry 158, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment”; NA, RG 74, Entry 5,

“Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”9. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”10. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters Received from Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”11. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”12. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”13. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”14. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”15. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”16. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”17. Ibid.18. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”19. Ibid.20. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”21. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”22. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”23. Ibid.24. Ibid.25. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”26. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”27. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”28. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”29. Ibid.30. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”31. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”32. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”

413

NOTES TO PAGES 265–83

33. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”34. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”35. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”36. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”37. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”38. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”39. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”40. Ibid.41. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”42. Ibid.43. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”44. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”45. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”46. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”47. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”48. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”49. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”50. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”51. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”52. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”53. Ibid.54. Ibid.55. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”56. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”57. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”58. Ibid.59. Ibid.60. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”61. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”62. Ibid.63. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”64. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”65. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”66. NA, RG 74, Entry 158, “Records of Accounts Approved for Payment.”67. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”68. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”69. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”70. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”71. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”72. Ibid.73. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”74. Ibid.75. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”76. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”

414

NOTES TO PAGES 284–95

77. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”78. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”79. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”80. Ibid.81. Ibid.82. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884” (source for previous two let-

ters).83. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”84. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884”.85. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”86. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”87. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”88. Ibid.89. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”90. NA, RG 74, Entry 3, “Letters Sent to Navy Yards and Stations, 1873–1884.”91. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”92. Ibid.93. Ibid.94. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”95. Ibid.96. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”97. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters and Reports Received from Navy Yards and Stations,

1873–1884.”98. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”99. Ibid.100. Ibid.101. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters and Reports Received from Navy Yards and Stations,

1873–1884.”102. NA, RG 74, Entry 5, “Miscellaneous Letters Sent, 1873–1884.”103. NA, RG 74, Entry 22, “Miscellaneous Letters Received, 1873–1884.”104. Ibid.105. NA, RG 74, Entry 19, “Letters and Reports Received from Navy Yards and Stations,

1873–1884.”106. Ibid.107. NA, RG 74, Entry 25, “General Correspondence, 1885–1890.”108. Ibid.109. Ibid.110. Ibid.111. Ibid.112. Ibid.113. Ibid.114. Ibid.115. Ibid.116. Ibid.

415

NOTES TO PAGES 295–308

117. Ibid.118. Ibid.119. Ibid.120. Ibid.121. Ibid. (source for previous three telegrams).122. Ibid.123. Ibid.124. Ibid.125. Ibid.126. Ibid.127. Ibid.128. Ibid.129. Ibid.130. Ibid.131. Ibid.132. Ibid.133. Ibid.134. Ibid.135. Ibid.136. Ibid.137. Ibid.138. Ibid.139. Ibid.140. Ibid.141. Ibid.142. Ibid. (source for previous three letters).143. Ibid.144. Ibid.145. Ibid.146. Ibid.147. Ibid.148. Ibid.149. Ibid.150. Ibid.151. Ibid.152. Ibid.

CHAPTER TEN

1. “Bullets Flying in Utica,” Utica Observer, December 30, 1864, courtesy of Jay Huber.2. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, Washington,

D.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 3, “Letters,Endorsements, and Circulars Sent.”

3. NA, RG 156, Entry 6, “Letters Sent to Ordnance Officers.”

416

NOTES TO PAGES 309–57

APPENDIX A

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, WashingtonD.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 5, “Letters,Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”

2. These special reports were published in Senate Executive Document No. 72, 37th Cong., 2dsess.

3. Contract for fifty thousand rifle muskets awarded to William Mason on January 7, 1862. Itis not known if this was the same Mason later known for his revolver patents.

4. Remington presented their revolver to the Ordnance Department in July 1861 and an orderwas given for five thousand on July 29. The Ordnance Department made three purchases ofColt’s army revolvers in May and June of 1861 for a total of six thousand revolvers. InSeptember the department placed an order with Colt for “all you can make until furtherorders.” Under this order, Colt delivered 25,700 army revolvers at $25.00 and two thousandnavy revolvers at $22.50.

5. Case No. 48 before the commission pertained to revolvers ordered from the SavageRevolving Firearms Company.

6. NA, Senate Records, Senate Executive Document No. 72, 37th Cong., 2d sess.7. NA, Senate RG 46, House RG 233, Senate Executive Document No. 72, House Executive

Document No. 40, 37th Cong., 2d sess.8. NA, Senate Executive Documents, 39th and 40th Cong., 1867–68.

APPENDIX B

1. National Archives (NA) of the United States, Military Records Department, WashingtonD.C., Record Group (RG) 156, Records of the Ordnance Department, Entry 5, “Letters,Endorsements and Reports Sent to the Secretary of War.”

2. Ibid.3. Ibid.4. Ibid.5. Ibid.6. Ibid.7. Ibid.8. Ibid.9. Ibid.10. Ibid.

417

NOTES TO PAGES 367–97

Act of 23rd June, 1860: purchases and con-tracts for arms and, xxi

Adams Revolvers, xix, 230; Patent Navy, xviiiAllen & Wheelock, 230

Allin Gun, xxxviAmes and Co.: government arms contract

and, xxxi, 21; sabers, 1, 49

Ammunition: pistol caps, xx; powder flasksand bulk powder, xix, 76

Ammunition for revolvers: Beals revolversand, 143–47; Colt revolvers and, 79,324–25; Col. Craig and, xx; Elliotrevolvers and, 146–47; metallic car-tridge revolvers and, 262–65; NavyBureau of Ordnance and, 140, 143–58;problems supplying, xix–xxi, 206 (seealso cartridges; metallic cartridges);Remington revolvers and, 147–58;revolver sizes and, xx (see also car-tridges; metallic cartridges); UnionMetallic Cartridge and, 284–85 (see alsocartridges; metallic cartridges); U.S.Cartridge Co. and, 324–25

Arms brokers: altered Remingtons and, 231,235, 242, 243, 327, 363; Army revolversand, 363, 364; Beals revolvers and, 14,27, 28–29; Eliot revolvers and, 185;Harpers Ferry rifles and, 228; illegaltrade and, 96; Navy revolvers and, 231;public demand and, 96; sales to gov-ernment and, 96; Springfield rifles and,228 (see also Kittredge, Benjamin)

Army and Navy Journal: Navy revolver reviewin, 267–71, 269, 273

Army and Navy Revolver appendages: bulletmolds (see bullet molds); combinedwiper and screw, 76, 357, 358 (see alsoindividual revolvers)

Army Ordnance Department: Act of June23rd and, xxi–xxii; advertising for bidsfor arms purchases and, xxi, 14, 372–74

(see also Owen-Holt Commission);alteration of revolvers by, 233–37,248–49; appendages and, 76; armsinspections and, 20–26, 94, 194 (see alsoinspection cartouches; certificates ofinspection; inspection procedures);arms testing and, 248–49; barrel lengthand, 76–77; Beals revolvers and, 14; cal-iber of revolvers and, 76; cartridgeproblems and, 206; certificates ofinspection and, 25–26 (see also certifi-cates of inspection); Chiefs of through1900, xii–xiv (see also individual’snames); Civil War and, xiv; Colt con-tracts and, 417n.4 (see also Colt); con-tracts for Army Revolvers (see Armyrevolvers; Beals Army Revolvers; ColtArmy Revolvers; Elliot ArmyRevolvers); contracts for NavyRevolvers and, 141–42 (see also BealsNavy Revolvers; Elliot Navy ModelRevolvers; Navy Revolvers); contractswith Remington by (see also BealsArmy Revolvers; Elliot Army Revolvers;Remington’s first, second, third, finalArmy Revolver contracts); daily busi-ness records and, xi; delay of payments

419

INDEX

Numbers in italic text denote drawings.Numbers in bold text denote photographs.

and, 124; Department of War and, xi(see also War Department); designchanges and, 67, 247–49, 346–49;Drew’s revolver and, 237–39, 240–41;Dyer and, 205–6, 250; General OrderNo. 60, 248–49; history of, xi–xxii;inspection procedures for, 350–55 (seealso inspection cartouches; certificatesof inspection; inspection procedures);Memorandum of Receipts, 67–72 (seealso Memorandum of Receipts for indi-vidual types of guns); metallic car-tridges and, 233–37 (see also metalliccartridges); need for arms and, 14, 77;Ordnance Memoranda No. 11, 249–51;patented arms purchases and,xxii–xxiii; percussion revolvers and,233–35, 250; post–Civil War arms con-tracts and, 226; Remington open mar-ket purchases by, 28–29; revolver nippleuniformity and, 335; safety notches and,160; spare parts orders and, 66, 80,83–84; Split-Breech Carbine sales and,226 (see also Rider–RemingtonSplit–Breech Carbines); SpringfieldArmory and, xii (see also Navy Bureau of Ordnance Department;Springfield Armory)

A. Alger & Co.: arms inspections and, 21

Balch, Lt. George T., 12; Ripley and, 13;Springfield Armory and, 13

Beals Army Revolvers (Remington’s ArmyRevolvers), xix, 12, 67; accepted byOrdnance Dept., 352; amount ordered,34, 40; appendages required for, 33–34,357–61; arbor pin on, 346; barreladdress on, 332; barrel lengths of,76–77; cartouches on, 38, 39, 43, 341 (seealso inspection cartouches); certificatesof inspection for, 26 (see also certifi-cates of inspection); commercial deal-ers and, 14; compared to Colt revolvers,78–79; condemned, 65, 104; contract

extensions for, 59–61, 386; contracts for,xix, 25–26, 42, 383–84, 386–89, 394–96;dates of production, 24; defects in,48–49, 53–54, 331–32; delivery of, 11–12,43, 59, 120–22, 128, 341, 383; evolutionof, 331; first contracts for, 31 (see alsoRemington’s first revolver contracts);gang molds for, 34 (see also bulletmolds; gang molds); gifts of, 96–100,100, 101, 102, 104; Hagner and, 8, 9;hammer spur on, 349; inspection pro-cedures and, 24–26, 35–44, 331, 350–55

(see also inspection procedures); inter-changeable parts and, 79; introductionof, xix; large caliber single-shot percus-sion pistols and, xix; loading levers on,345, 347; lock system on, 333–35; manu-facture of, 12; Memorandum ofReceipts of, 68, 70–72, 130–31; NationalArchives and, vii; officers and, 100–101;price of, 25–26, 62, 65, 103, 105; require-ments for, xix; second-class, 65, 95–96,101–5, 116; serial numbers and, 65–66,103, 341, 355–56; transition models, 65

Beals Navy Revolvers (Remington’s NavyRevolvers), 3, 6, 67; alterations to,265–72, 270, 271–72, 276, 303, 327 (seealso Navy Bureau of Ordnance andaltered Remington revolvers); ammuni-tion for, 143–47; appendages for, 359;approval of delivery of, 21–22; arborpin on, 346; arbor retaining system on,337; arbor-locking system, 5; BealsThird Model Pocket Revolvers and, 330

(see also Beals Third Model PocketRevolvers); Beal’s 1858 patent and, 3, 5,330; cartouches on, 32, 40, 43 (see alsoinspection cartouches); cartridges and,51, 271 (see also ammunition; car-tridges); certificates of inspection for,26, 327 (see also certificates of inspec-tion); Civil War and, 3; Colt NavyRevolvers compared to, 134–35, 138–40;commercial dealers and, 14, 23, 27,

420

INDEX

28–29; commercial trade and, 14, 341;compared to Colt revolvers, 78–79;cones in, 51; contract extensions for,59–61; contracts for, 25–26, 381–82;Curtis and, 50; cylinder, 53, 57, 334;cylinder arbor pin and, 3, 5, 330; cylin-der bolts and, 54; cylinder defects and,38, 50, 51–52; cylinder modificationsand, 303–4, 311–15, 312, 316, 319–22,323–25; Dahlgren and, 42, 137–38, 140;defects in, 38–39, 42, 48–54, 141, 331–32,353; delivery of, 11–12, 29, 42–43, 59, 138,140–43; evolution of, 331; first contractsfor, 31 (see also Remington’s firstrevolver contracts); first shipment of,13–14; fluted cylinders and, 52, 53;fourth variation, 138; front sight on, 59;Hagner and, 21–22; hammer and, 54, 57,58, 349, 349; hammer knurling on, 334;inspection of, 12, 23–24, 26, 37, 40,48–52, 350–55; interchangeable partsand, 79; issued to Union troops, 27;loading levers on, 345, 347; lock systemon, 5, 51, 333–35; Memorandum ofReceipts of, 68; National Archives and,vii; Navy evaluation of, 42; percussion,271; prices for, 3, 25–26, 33, 137–38; pro-duction numbers for, 27, 271, 332; pur-chased by Army, 27; purchased by U.S.Navy, 133; rammer and, 50, 51, 54;reloading and, 135; safety notches on,57; sales of, 12, 271, 327; serial numbersfor, 5, 27, 65–66, 185, 327, 340, 353, 354,355–56; Single Wing Beals Navy (seeBeals Single Wing Navy Revolver);Thornton and, 37–39, 42, 141

(see also Thornton)Beals Navy Revolvers, First Type, 332–36;

arbor pin on, 332–33; barrel address on,332, 333; cylinders and, 336; design flawsin, 337; distinguishing features on,332–33; grip panels on, 335; hammerknurling on, 333, 334; hammer, trigger,and cylinder bolt, 336; lever latch post

on, 332–33, 334; lock features on,333–34; percussion nipples on, 335, 336;1858 patent for, 337

Beals Navy Revolvers, Fourth Type, 339–41;lever latch post on, 339, 340; pawl andpawl screw on, 340, 340; serial numbersof, 340–41

Beals Navy Revolvers, Second Type, 338, 339

Beals Navy Revolvers, Third Type, 339, 339

Beals New Model Army Revolvers, 349–50;arbor pin on, 346; barrel address and,349, 350; frame change and, 349–50;loading lever on, 345, 347; patent dateson, 349; serial numbers and, 349

Beals New Model Navy Revolvers, 349–50;arbor pin on, 346; arbor retaining sys-tem on, 337; barrel address and, 349,350; cylinder bolt on, 340; front sighton, 59, 349; grips on, 335; hammer on,58; improvements in, 57–59, 332, 337,349–50; inspection marks on, 352 (seealso inspection cartouches); loadinglever on, 345, 347; open market and,128; patents used for, 337; pawl andpawl screw on, 340, 340; problems with,38, 56–58; serial numbers and, 349

Beals Pocket Model Revolver, 227, 247, 343;Beals’ 1856 patent and, 329, 330, 331, 335;Beals’ 1858 patent and, 2–3, 330; cylinderof, 329, 331; percussion nipples on,335; production of, 2–3 (see alsoRemington–Beals First Model Pocket Revolver)

Beals Second Pocket Model Revolver, 330

Beals Third Pocket Model Revolvers: arborpin and, 5, 57, 333; Beals Navy Revolversand, 330; Beals’ 1858 patent and, 2–3, 5,330; cylinder arbor system and, 330,332–33; loading lever and, 330, 333, 337;patent for, 332

Beals Second Variation Revolver, 9

Beals Single Wing Navy Revolver: cylinderarbor pin and, 3, 7, 332, 346; loadinglever on, 347; Remington patent for, 5

421

INDEX

Beals Transition Revolver: cylinder arbor and,8, 57, 57, 337; latch post and, 337; serialnumbers for, 337

Beals, Fordyce: 1856 patent and, 329, 330; 1858

patents, 2, 4, 19, 330, 332; Remingtonrevolvers and, xxxii, 2, 329, 342;Whitney and, 329

Beals–Elliot Transition Revolvers. SeeElliot–New Model Navy TransitionRevolvers

Belt pistols, xvii, 57, 247, 343 (see also NavyBelt Pistol); ammunition for, xx

Boarding pistols. See single-shot percussion pistols

Breech-loading revolvers, 259–60

Breech-loading rifle: foreign contracts for,xxxvii, xxxviii; John Rider and, xxxiv;manufacture of, xxxiv–xxxv; militarycontracts for, xxxv–xxxvi, xxxvii,115–16; parts list for, 125

(see also Rider–Remington Split–Breech Carbines)

Bullet molds (see also gang molds), xix; armyand navy, 76, 358; cavalry and, 75; casedsets and, 361; Colt and, 75, 76, 359; dis-continuation of supply of, 359; for BealsNavy revolvers, 359; Hagner and, 75–76;inspectors marks on, 358, 359 (see alsoinspection cartouches); Remington, 75,76, 359

Burnside Rifle Co.: Burnside BreechloadingCarbines, 33

Cameron, Secretary of War Simon, 15, 16;arms contracts and orders and, 19, 33

Cartouches. See Inspection cartouchesCartridge extractors, 231; Smith & Wesson

and, 241; testing of, 237–39

Cartridges: caliber of, 256; center fire, 235,241, 277–78; combustible, xix, 76, 210,211–12; cylinders, 243; ejectors, 237–39;metallic (see metallic cartridges); per-cussion, 247 (see also percussion caps);postwar alterations to, 225; problems

with, 206; rim fire, 247, 267, 277; testingof, 258 (see also ammunition)

Case, A. Ludlow: large caliber revolvers and,273; Ordnance Chief, 186–87

Certificates of inspection, 23–24; Beals ArmyRevolvers and, 26; Beals Navy Revolversand, 25–26; cartouches and, 26 (see alsoInspection Cartouches); “C” stampand, 26, 27, 64, 65; for altered Colt revolvers, 263 (see alsoinspection procedures)

Civil War: arms purchases and War Dept.,1–2; Colt pistols and, xvii (see alsoColt); end of, 197–98; E. Remingtonand Sons and, xxxii–xxxiii (see also E.Remington and Sons; Remington); FortSumter and, 1; Lincoln and, 1;Ordnance Department and, xiv (seealso Army Ordnance Department; NavyBureau of Ordnance); revolver manu-facturing industry and, xiv–xv; state-ments of arms contracts, 1–2

Colt: Army Pistol, 17; Double-ActionRevolvers, 326–27; Holster Pistols,17–18, 160; Improved Army Revolver(Model 1860) (see Colt Model 1860

Army Revolver); Paterson models, xxiv;Single Action, 256; Whitneyville-Walkermodels, xv, xvi, xvii

Colt Dragoon Army Revolver, xvi, xvii;ammunition for, xx; Commission onOrdnance report on, 17–19; Navy ordersfor, xxiv; price for, xvii

Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolver, xvi, 231; cav-alry units and, xvii; Navy orders for,xxiv, 160, 278; price paid for, xvii; sup-plying ammunition for, xix–xx

Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver: alterationsto, 33–37, 79, 233–37, 251–55, 255, 257–60,262–65; ammunition for, 79; barrellength and, 77; certificates of inspectionfor, xvii, 263; Commission onOrdnance report on, 17–18; delivery of,79, 81, 259–60; Dyer and, 253–56,

422

INDEX

257–58; Jeffers and, 277–78; loadinglever on, 79; Locke safety notch and,256–57, 260–61; metallic cartridges and,233–37, 253–55, 262–65, 278 (see alsometallic cartridges); Navy orders for,xxiv, 151, 181; new cylinder and, 260;orders for redesigned, 252–55;Ordnance testing of, 252, 258–62; pricefor altering, 260–62; price of, 79–80,260, 278; problems with, 67, 77–79;unissued, 278

Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver: alterations to(see Navy Bureau of Ordnance andaltered Colt revolvers); compared toRemington Beals Navy Revolvers,134–35, 138–40; loading lever on, 79;Navy orders for, xxiv, 135, 160; price of,79–80, 137; problems with, 78; reload-ing, 135; sales of surplus, 278–82

Colt revolver patents: cylinder locking systemand, 331; expiration of, xix, 331

Colt revolvers: cost of, 19, 42, 128, 378–79;delivery of, 128; distribution of, 44;large frame single-action, 274; MexicanWar and, xv, xxxi; Navy orders for, xxiv;percussion caps for, xix–xx; prices of,67; redesign of, 67; Regiment ofMounted Riflemen and, xv; WarDepartment purchase of, xv–xvii, 1, 193

Colt’s Arms Manufacturing Co.: arms inspec-tions and, 20; cartridge orders and, 181;Civil War and, xiv–xv; contracts, 91,94–95, 229–30 (see individual Coltrevolvers); creditors of, xxiv; Dyer and,253–55; Franklin and, 253, 274, 276,282–88, 296–97; manufacture ofrevolvers by, xix; Navy and, 273;Owens-Holt Commission and, 17–19;pricing issues and, 79–80; prohibitionagainst purchase of patented arms and,xxii; Richard’s patent and, 255; Root, E.K. and, xix, 20 Thuer and, 252–53;White’s patent and, 252–53 (see alsoRollin White’s Patent; White, Rollin)

Colt, Samuel, 96; revolver patents and, xv, 329

Commercial arms dealers. See arms brokersCommission on Ordnance and Stores. See

Owen-Holt Commission on Ordnanceand Stores

Confederacy, The: arms sales to, 96

Confederate soldiers, 60

Cooper & Herrit & Co., 197

Cooper & Pond: Beals Navy Revolvers and,28–29

Craig, Col. Henry K., xii; Extract from theAct of 23rd June, 1860 and, xxi; prob-lems with ammunition and, xx; repeat-ing firearms purchases and, xxii; WarDepartment and, 1

Curtis, Inspector C. G.: Beals Army Revolversand, 32–33, 35–36, 38–39, 341; Beals NavyRevolvers and, 43, 51–52, 142; cartoucheof, 32, 32, 39, 40, 43, 142, 353 (see alsoinspection cartouches); Elliot NavyRevolvers and, 43, 142; Ilion Armoryand, 35–36, 73

Dahlgren, Adm. John A., 155, 156; Beals NavyRevolvers and, 42, 137–38, 140–43; Chiefof Ordnance, 136; Colt Navy revolversand, 135, 136

Devoe, D. D., xxxixDrayton, Capt. Percival, 157, 158, 159–60

Drew, Reuben W.: Colt revolver alterationsand, 253–54; Lowell Arms Co. and,237–39; patent of, 238, 239; revolver of,237–39, 240–41

Dyer, Brig. Gen. Alexander B., xv, 113, 206;arms inspections and, 196–97; biogra-phy of, xiii–xiv; Chief of Ordnance, xii,113, 198; Colt revolver redesign and,253–56, 257–58; Mexican War and, xiii,xiv; postwar arms orders and, 237;Remington third contract and, 113–16;Remington’s last contract and, 126–27;Split-Breech Carbine contract and,204–8, 213; Springfield Armory and, 42,114, 205; surplus revolver sales and, 363

423

INDEX

Ehlers, John: Colt and, xxivEli Whitney & Co.: arms contracts with

Ordnance Dept. and, 95, 229–30; Beals’patents and, 329; revolvers, 250, 329 (seealso Whitney Navy revolvers)

Eli Whitney & Co. and Navy arms contracts,xxiv, 169, 278; first orders, 149; pricesand, 151; testing and, 150 (see alsoWhitney Navy revolvers); Wise and,157, 177–78

Elliot Army Model Revolver, 40, 43, 60; alter-ations to, 43–44, 265, 303, 332 (see alsoNavy Bureau of Ordnance and alteredRemington revolvers); arbor pin on,346; barrel address on, 344; cartouchesand, 43, 355; contracts for, 383–84; FirstVariation, 41; grips on, 335; loadinglever on, 345, 347; patent for, 342; prob-lems with, 48, 52; production of, 43–44;Second Variation, 44; serial numbersfor, 345, 355

Elliot Navy Model Revolvers, 40, 333; altered,303, 304, 340, 343 (see also Navy Bureauof Ordnance and altered Remingtonrevolvers); arbor pin and, 55, 343, 347;barrel address on, 343, 344; cartouchesand, 43 (see also inspection cartouches);commercial sales of, 185; contractextensions for, 42–43; contracts for,42–43, 381–82; Curtis inspections and,43 (see also Curtis; inspections proce-dures); cylinder arbor pin and, 55, 344;cylinder bolt on, 340; defects with, 42,48–49, 52–56; delivery of, 42–43, 141–43,185; features of, 56–57; first variation,41, 142; forward parts on, 343; framechanges on, 343, 344, 345, 348; grips on,335; hammers on, 57; lever latch poston, 343; loading lever with fillisterscrew, 146, 345; patent for, 342; produc-tion of, 43–44, 271; retaining spring on,55, 344, 344; safety notches on, 57; serialnumbers and, 65–66, 185, 340, 345, 355

Elliot’s Double Derringer Pistol, 228

Elliot, William: loading lever and arbor pinsystem of, 3, 5, 337, 342, 342; patent of,19, 55, 341, 342, 342; Remington and, 330

Elliot–New Model Army TransitionRevolvers, 346–49; frames on, 348;loading lever on, 347, 348, 348

Elliot–New Model Navy Transition Revolvers,56, 346–49; ammunition for, 146–47;arbor pin adaptation and, 346–47, 348;barrel address and, 332; barrels of, 341;cylinder, 57, 348; cylinder arbor, 56;frames on, 348; grips on, 335; hammerspur and, 349, 349; loading lever withfillister screw, 56, 56, 146, 345, 346–47,347, 348; Ordnance Dept. and, 346;problems with, 146; safety notches and,160, 348; serial numbers on, 349; 1861

patent and, 341, 342

Ely, Alfred B., 237–39

E. Remington & Sons: army contracts and,xxxv–xxxvi, 371–79, 381–82 (see alsoRemington); bankruptcy of, 271; Beal’spatents and, 329 (see also Beals,Fordyce); Civil War arms and, xi,xxxii–xxxiii, 2, 5, 7; creation of, xxxii;first revolvers of, 329; foreign arms con-tracts and, xxxv, xxxvi, xliii, xliv, 91, 251;gun designers and, xxxvii; Johnston &Dow cartridges and, 157–59, 167,169–70; manufacturing problems and,181; Navy Bureau of Ordnance and,133–34 (see also Navy Bureau ofOrdnance); price list, 6; relations withmilitary and, xi; Remington Arms Co.and, xliv (see also Remington ArmsCo.); revolver contracts and, 24–25;Ripley and, 10–11 (see also Remington)

Fish, Henry H., xxxixFlayderman’s guide to Antique American

Firearms, 195–96

Foxhall, Lt., 136

Francis Bannerman, 247

Franco-Prussian War: Colt revolvers and, 282;

424

INDEX

Navy surplus revolvers and, 278, 282;Remington arms contracts and, xxxvii,216; Remington surplus revolvers and,282; Samuel Remington and, 226, 363;Split-Breech Carbines and, 226, 392

Frankford Arsenal, xx, 206; cartridge testingand, 258; center fire cartridges and, 241;production of cartridges by, 264

Franklin, Gen. W. B.: Colt and, 253, 255,256–57, 260

Freeman Army Revolver, 61, 62, 230

Freeman, Austin T., 61

Freeman, William C., 239

Fry, Provost Marshall James B., 111–12, 112

Gang molds (see also bullet molds):Remington, 359; six-cavity, 34, 65, 76,357; two-cavity, 76, 76

Gansevoort, Guert, 184

General Order No. 60, 248–49

Goldsborough, Capt. John, 184, 184

Hagner, Col. Peter V., 9; arms deliveries and,59–61, 74, 77; as Inspector of ContractArms, 40–42, 351; Beals patent and, 146;Colt arms contract and, 81; distributionof arms and, 44–45; 1862 contract and,64–65; Elliot’s patent and, 146;Frankford Arsenal and, xx; Owen-HoltCommission and, 375, 376–77;Remington arms and, 8, 12, 14, 21–22,25–26; Ripley and, 13, 44–45, 64–65; sec-ond Remington contract and, 73–77;Watervliet Arsenal and, 40–42, 85, 351

Harbison, Hugh, 259

Harpers Ferry Rifles, 195; classes of, 195; com-mercial sales of, 228; contracts for, 48,195, 375, 384–86, 389–90; deliveries of,48, 195, 217–18, 389; first contracts for,31, 192–93 (see also Remington’s firstrevolver contracts); Mississippi Rifle,191, 194; Model 1841, 191, 192; orders for,xxxii, 11, 48, 191–96; parts list andprices, 124–25, 192 195, 208–9

Hartley & Graham, 247; catalog, 270, 271;Navy surplus arms and, 327

Hoard & Rogers, 80, 109

Hoff, Henry K., 184

Holster pistols, xvii; ammunition for, xxHolt, Joseph, xxii, 15, 368

Illion Armory. See Remington Armory at Ilion

Inspection cartouches (see also Certificates ofInspection): anchor stamp, 26, 182, 185,327; AW, 355; Beals Army Revolvers and,38, 43; Beals Navy Revolvers and, 40, 43;BH (Benjamin Harris), 354; bogus, 26;CGC (C. G. Curtis), 39, 40, 341, 353, 354;“C” stamp, 26, 27, 352; dual stamps, 26,354; Elliot Army Revolvers and, 43, 353,355; Elliot Navy Revolvers and, 43, 353;GMC, 184; GP (Giles Porter), 354; GRC,355; JWK, 355; location of, 354; OWA (O.W. Ainsworth), 352, 354; postwar, 183,183–84, 185; PS, 355; RPB, 354; sub-inspec-tors’ marks and, 353–55; Thornton’s, 353;unidentified, 354–55; U.S.N., 26; WAT, 38,354; WC, 355; WW, 355

Inspection certificates. See certificates of inspection

Inspection procedures, 350–55; failed armsand, 352; gun parts and, 352; inspectioncartouches and, 352; milling errors and,353; Remington Armory and, 351–53;Remington Army Revolvers acceptedand, 352; Remington’s inspectors and,352; standards and, 353

Jeffers, Lt. Cmmdr. William, 175–77, 177;altered revolvers and, 276–78, 289–92;Colt army revolvers and, 277–78; NavyOrdnance Chief, 179, 276–77; sales ofsurplus arms and, 276, 278–82, 292–94

Jenks, William, xxxiJenn, W. K., xliJohnson Model 1842 Percussion Army Pistol,

xviii

425

INDEX

Johnston & Dow: cartridges, 142, 144, 165;defective cartridges and, 157–59, 162–67,169–70; withdraw from service of car-tridges by, 167, 169 (see also ammuni-tion; cartridges; metallic cartridges)

Joint Select Committee on Ordnance: armscontract and, 379; Chief of Ordnanceand, 20

Jones, J. T., xlJoslyn revolvers: Navy orders for, xxiv, 150,

230, 240; testing of, 239–40

Joslyn, Benjamin F., 239

Karr, Charles Lee: Remington Handguns, 24

Keene, John W.: magazine rifle and, xxxviiiKernan, Francis, xxxix–xlKittredge, Benjamin: large caliber revolvers

and, 241; Remington altered revolversfor, 231, 235, 239, 242, 243, 363; Smith &Wesson and, 242

Knapp Rudd & Co., 21

Kohler, Faron “Slim,” vii

Lamberson, Furman & Co., 271

Landskron, Jerry: Remington Rolling BlockPistols, vii, xxvii

Lee Arms Co.: patents and, xxxviiiLee, James P.: bolt gun and, xxxviiiLincoln, President: Civil War and, 1;

Ordnance Chiefs and, xiiLocke safety notch, 256–57, 260–61

Lowell Arms Co.: Drew and, 237–39

Mason, William: cartridge ejector and, 236;cartridge ejector patent and, 231, 232,233, 233, 241; rifle musket contractawarded to, 417n.3

Maynadier, Col. William: Remington’s finalcontract and, 123, 127

Metallic cartridge revolvers: ammunition for,262–65; demand for, 241; large caliber,xv, 241, 267; Ordnance report on,258–62, 262–65; Remington, 276–77;small caliber, xiv–xv, 231

Metallic cartridges, 231; altered revolvers and,262–65; center fire, 247, 267, 277–78;demand for, 241; for Colt revolvers,253–55, 277–78, 282–84; large caliber,241; Martin, 258, 260; Ordinance Dept.and, 233–37; percussion revolvers and,233–35, 237–39; Remington and, 231;Smith & Wesson and, 231; White’spatent and, 240 (see alsoammunition; cartridges)

Mexican War: Colt revolver purchases and,xv, xxxi

Mississippi Rifles. See Harpers Ferry RiflesModel 1861. See Elliot Army Model; Elliot

Navy ModelMoore, C. Kenneth: Colt Revolvers and the

U.S. Navy, 1865-1889, 273

Mordecai, Maj. A.: Watervliet Arsenal, xx

National Arms Co.: revolver, 249–50

National Arsenal and Armory: skilled work-ers and, 111–13

Navy Bureau of Ordnance: altered revolversand, 267, 273–78; ammunition ordersand, 143–58; anchor stamps of, 182;arms inspections and, 174–76, 179–81;arms orders and, xxiv, 133, 137–38,140–46; Bureau of Navigation and,xxiii, xxiv; chiefs of through 1900,xxii–xxiii; Colt Arms Co. and, 137–38,143; Colt revolvers and (see NavyBureau of Ordnance and altered Coltrevolvers); Dahlgren and, 42, 137–38,140–46; delinquent payments by, 148; E.Remington & Sons and, xxxv, 133–34,148; Folger and, 307; functions of,xxiii–xxiv; history of, xxxiii–xxv; Jeffersand (see Jeffers, Lt. Cmmdr. William);Ludlow and, 273; methods of procuringsmall arms, xxv; officers as inspectorsfor, xxiii; Proving Ground, 307; recordsof, xi, xxiv; Remington Navy Revolverspurchased by, 133, 140–43; required tar-get practice and, 326; Rolling Block

426

INDEX

pistols orders and, 278; Sicard and, 305,306, 307–8; single-shot percussion pis-tols and, xxiv–xxv; surplus revolverspostwar and, 278–82, 294–94; testing ofarms by, 150, 181 (see also ArmyOrdnance Department); “OrdnanceInstructions for the U.S. Navy,” 182

Navy Bureau of Ordnance and altered Coltrevolvers, 137–38, 143, 273, 277–78, 299;altered 1851 Navy revolver, 287; altered1861 Navy revolvers and, 287, 290–91;ammunition defects and, 324–25; armstesting and, 275–76; cartridges and,275–78; Case and, 273; center-fire car-tridges and, 284, 293; defects and, 289,309–10, 324; double-action revolversand, 326; Folger and, 308–11; Franklinand, 282–88, 289–90, 296–97; inspec-tions and, 308–11; Isthmus of Panamaexpedition and, 307–11; Jeffers and,276–78, 289–92, 296–97; metallic car-tridges and, 253–55, 277–78, 282–84 (seealso metallic cartridges); Norfolk NavyYard and, 310–11; prices and, 276–78,287, 288, 291, 299–300; purchases and,278; refurbished revolvers and, 285–86;revolver alterations and, 272, 273;Richards-Mason patent and, 287; salesof surplus revolvers and, 278–82, 327;shipments and, 287–89; Sicard and,307–8, 326; single-action army revolversand, 277–78; Union Metallic CartridgeCo. and, 284–85, 286

Navy Bureau of Ordnance and alteredRemington revolvers: altered BealsNavy Revolver, 303, 304–5, 312; alteredElliot model, 303, 304; altered surplusRemington revolvers, 292–93; ammuni-tion defects and, 324–25; Case and, 273;center-fire cartridges and, 303, 305;commercial sales and, 327; cylindermodifications and, 303–4, 311–15, 312,316, 319–22, 323–25; defects and, 305,306–7, 311–15, 316–17, 321, 322–23; Folger

and, 311–15, 318, 325; Herggurson and,316–17; inspections and, 303–4, 311, 319,321–22, 323–24, 327; Jeffers and, 276,292–94, 297–99, 302; Mare Island NavyYard and, 298, 300–301, 301–4, 305,313–14, 318–19, 321; metallic cartridgesand, 273, 275–76, 297; modificationsand, 311–15, 316–17; Navy funds and,276, 277; New Model Navy Revolverand, 274, 305; Norfolk Navy Yard and,313–14, 320–21; prices and, 276, 292–93,299–300; rim-fire cartridges and, 325;sales of surplus revolvers and, 278–82,327; serial numbers and, 303, 313, 327;shipments and, 297–301, 301–3, 313–15;Sicard and, 313–15, 317–18; Smoot and,297–99; testing and, 275–76; U.S.S.Mohican and, 322–24; U.S.S. Monocacyand, 305, 315–19, 320, 325; U.S.S. Palosand, 317, 319–20, 322, 325–26; U.S.S.Pensacola and, 311, 313–15, 317;Washington Navy Yard and, 318–19,319–20

Navy Bureau of Ordnance and metallic car-tridge alterations: arms testing and,275–76; cartridges and, 275–77; Caseand, 273, 275; central fire cartridgesand, 277; Colt and (see Navy Bureau ofOrdnance and Colt Patent FirearmsCo.); double action revolvers and, 322;Jeffers and, 276–82, 304; percussionrevolvers surplus and, 289; Remingtonand (see Navy Bureau of Ordnance andaltered Remington revolvers); rim-firecartridges and, 277; sales of surplusrevolvers and, 278–82; Sicard and,313–15, 317–18, 324–25; Smith & Wessonand, 273, 274–75, 276 (see also Smith &Wesson); Union Metallic Cartridge Co.and, 284–85; U.S. Cartridge Co. ammu-nition and, 324–25

Navy Bureau of Ordnance arms orders for1862, 134–47; ammunition orders from,140, 143–47; Beals Navy Revolvers and,

427

INDEX

134–35, 138–40, 141, 142–45, 147 (see alsoBeals Navy Revolvers); Capt. John A.Dahlgren and, 135, 137, 140, 141–43; Coltrevolvers and, 134–35, 137, 138–40, 143;competitive pricing and, 137–38; deliv-ery of arms to, 140–42; Elliot NavyRevolvers, 141–46 (see also Elliot NavyRevolvers); New Model Revolvers and,141–42 (see also New Model Revolvers);revolver appendages and, 135; serialnumbers and, 142; Wise and, 143, 145

Navy Bureau of Ordnance arms orders for1863, 147–66; Beals revolvers and, 148,153 (see also Beals Navy Revolvers);Boarding pistols and, 149; cartridgeorders and, 147–58, 160, 162–66; Coltrevolvers and, 149, 151, 160; Dahlrenand, 148–49, 153; delinquent paymentsand, 148; distribution of arms and,160–62; New Model Navy Revolversand, 148, 153–55 (see also New ModelRevolvers); receipts for, 164; Remingtonprice increases and, 151–52; Remingtonrevolver defects and, 162–66; revolverorders and, 147–58; revolver parts and,148; Whitney revolver orders and,149–51, 156–57 (see also Eli Whitney &Co.); Wise and, 153–54, 155, 157, 161

Navy Bureau of Ordnance arms orders for1864, 166–78; arms inspection and,174–76; Colt’s cartridges and, 167;Johnston & Dow cartridge problemsand, 166–67, 169–70; Remington pricesand, 172–73; Remington revolver defectsand, 167–69, 174; Remington revolverorders, 172–76; Remington RollingBlock Pistols and, 170–71; RemingtonSplit-breech Pistol orders, 177–78;replacement of defect Remingtonrevolvers, 174, 176; Whitney revolverorders, 169, 172, 177–78 (see also EliWhitney & Co.); Wise and, 170–71, 174

Navy Bureau of Ordnance arms orders for1865: arms inspections and, 179–81;

Army revolvers and, 181; Bealsrevolvers, 181 (see also Beals NavyRevolvers); Colt revolver orders and,181 (see also Colt); defect Remingtonrevolvers, 179–81; Elliot revolvers, 181

(see also Elliot revolvers); New Modelrevolvers, 181 (see also New Modelrevolvers); Remington prices and, 179;Remington revolver orders and, 178–79;replacement Remington revolvers,179–80; Whitney revolver orders, 179,181 (see also Eli Whitney & Co.); Wiseand, 178

Navy Bureau of Ordnance arms orderspost–Civil War: altered revolvers and,276–78; arms prices and, 277–78; armstesting by, 275–76; Case and, 186–87,275; Colt and, 274, 277 (see also Colt);final revolver order, 185; inspectionstamps and, 182–85, 183, 185; limitedfunds and, 277–78; Remington and, 273,275; Remington Breech-loading pistoland, 186–87; Remington cartridgerevolver and, 276; Remington percus-sion revolvers and, 185; RemingtonRolling Block Pistols and, 185–86;revolver samples and, 275; revolverspare parts and, 187–88; Sicard and, 187;single-action army revolvers and,277–78; Smith & Wesson and, 274–75,276–77 (see also Smith & Wesson)

Navy revolvers, 266; alterations to, 265–72,270, 271–72 (see also Navy Bureau ofOrdnance and altered Remingtonrevolvers); altered cylinders for, 270;ammunition for, 143–44; appendagesfurnished with, 189; assembly numbersand, 267; Beals (see Beals NavyRevolvers; Navy Bureau of Ordnanceand altered Remington revolvers); cal-iber of, 133; commercial sales of, 231;defective, 149–50; deliveries of, 189–90;front sights on, 85; Memorandum ofReceipts of, 68, 72; metallic cartridges

428

INDEX

an, 265–67; Navy Bureau of Ordnancepurchases of, 133, 140–44; parts for, 148;percussion, 231, 267; postwar sales of,231; production numbers for, 271;reviewed in Army and Navy Journal,267–71; rim fire cartridges and, 267;samples for Ordnance Dept. and,265–66; serial numbers for altered, 267,268; testing of, 133; transition, 65;unsold stock of, 267, 271

New: Pocket Revolvers, 227; Police Revolvers,228 (see also Police Pocket ModelRevolvers); Repeating Pistol, 227

New Model: Belt Revolver, 227; Carbine, 228;Holster Revolver, 228

New Model Army Revolvers, 69, 84, 106, 246,266, 357; alterations to, 84, 231, 233–37,242–47, 243, 247, 249–51, 252, 265, 270,271, 274, 363 (see also Navy Bureau ofOrdnance and altered Remingtonrevolvers); altered for metallic car-tridges, 262–65; American Indians and,363, 364, 365; Army Transition, 69; bar-rel address on, 349, 350, 351; Beals’name and, 349, 350; cartridge ejectorsand, 243, 244; cartridge extractor and,236; commercial dealers and, 363, 364;delivery of, 86–87, 117–19, 126, 129–30,383; Elliot patent lever and arbor pin,141; extractor systems for, 231; fifth typealteration to, 244; finishes on, 355–56;first type alteration to, 243, 245; foreigncontracts and, 91, 251, 292, 363, 364;fourth type alteration to, 244; framechanges on, 349; front sights on, 84, 85,349, 351; gifts to individual states,96–100, 100, 101, 102, 104, 355–56; gripstraps on, 349, 351; introduction of, 141;last variation, 124; loading lever on,344; Navy Ordnance Dept. and, 141;Ordnance Dept. and, 252; parts list andprices, 124; patent dates and, 349; pio-neers and, 363; sales to states, 105–6;second type alteration to, 243; serial

numbers and, 349, 357; spare partsorders for, 230–31; Springfield Armoryand, 249; surplus sales of, 110, 228, 363;testing of, 252; third type alteration to,244; with Illinois State Seal, 102; withMissouri State Seal, 101; with NewJersey stamp, 107, 108; with State Seal of Maine, 104; with Vermont State Seal, 100

New Model Navy Revolvers, 152, 153, 185, 228,246; barrel address and, 349, 350, 351;frame changes on, 349; front sight on,349, 351; grip strap on, 349, 352; inspec-tion marks on, 352; loading lever on,344; patents for, 349; serial numbers for,349, 356

New York Arsenal, 10; Wainwright and, 81–82

Nipple wrench: revolvers and, 358, 359

Norris, Samuel: carbines and, 226, 392, 396

North revolvers: orders for, 155; price paid for, xvii

Old Model. See Elliot Army Model; ElliotNavy Model

Ordnance Memoranda No. 11, 249–51

Owen, Robert Dale, 15, 368

Owen-Holt Commission on Ordnance andStores, 367–79; arms contracts and,11–12, 15, 26, 34, 192, 367, 381–85; armscontracts prices and, 369–74, 378–79;auditing of Ordnance Dept. contractsand, 367; call for bids by, 372–74;Cameron and, 367; case No. 72 and, 371,372; Chief of Ordnance and, 20; Colt’sImproved Army Revolver and, 17–19;competitive pricing and, 19, 369–74;demand for arms and, 369; Federal andState governments and, 370; foreignarms and, 369–70; Hagner and, 375,376–77; history of, 367; inspections offirearms and, 26, 95; investigations by,xii–xiii, 11, 367–79; law of the 3rd ofMarch and, 372; middlemen and, 370,372–73; open market purchases and, 34;

429

INDEX

Owen and Holt and, 15–17, 16, 368;price of Colt firearms and, xvii, 19–20,372, 378–79; price of Remington armsand, 19, 192, 371–74, 375–79;Remington’s testimony and, 11, 12,19–20, 134, 375–79; Stanton and, 367–68;text of report by, 368–75

Palmer, Batchelders: Beals Navy Revolversand, 29

Parrott, R. P.: arms inspections and, 21

Parsons, John E.: Smith & WessonRevolvers, 241

Percussion caps: for Colt revolvers, xix–xx;orders for, 145; problems with, xix–xxi

Percussion cylinders, 246; alterations to, 247

Perrin and Lefoucheaux, 230

Perry, Commodore Matthew: Japan and, xxivPerry, Stewart, xxxixPettingill Army Revolver (Rodgers Spencer &

Co.), 17, 17, 44–45

Pitts, J. D., 193

Plymouth Rifles, 181

Pocket Model Revolver. See Beals PocketModel Revolver

Police Pocket Model Revolvers, 57, 247, 343

Porter, Rear Adm. David D., 143, 144, 144

Potter, Elam O.: cartridge manufacture and, 159

Ramsey, Brig. Gen. George D., xiv; biographyof, xiii–xiv; Chief of Ordnance, xii, 75,113; Civil War and, xiii; Dyer and,196–97; second Remington contractand, 75, 77; Split-Breech Carbines and,204; third Remington contract and,91–92, 94, 108–9, 115; WashingtonArsenal and, xiii, 13–14

Remington: Agricultural Company, xxxix–xl,225, 226; Army Revolver. See BealsArmy Revolvers; brothers, xxvii,xxxi–xxxiv, xl, xliii; family history,xxvii–xlv; Model 1875 Revolver, 273;Navy Revolvers. See Beals Navy

Revolvers; Sewing Machine Companyof North America, xl–xli; TypewriterWorks, xxxix, xli–xliii

Remington Armory, 3, 67; barges for, 2, 4; fairmarket prices and, 20; Hannis and, 73;inspections at, 32, 73; iron used forrevolver frames at, 23, 61, 196, 198–99;manufacturing costs at, 151–52; produc-tion at, 15, 20, 31

Remington Armory at Ilion, 272; armsinspections at, 35, 73; Ballard Carbinebarrels and, 48; broadside for, 227, 229;commercial market and, 226–29; C. G.Curtis and, 35–36, 73; delivery figuresfor, 47, 229–30; end of Civil War and,225–29, 229–30; expansion at, 192; ironused at, 61, 196, 198–99; postwar pro-duction at, 226–29, 230–31; productionat, 48, 63; R. R. Bennett and, 36, 37,38, 40

Remington Armory at Utica, 45–47; deliveryfigures for, 47; end of Civil War and,225; operations at, 45–47; productioncapacity of, 47, 63; proof testing at,352–53; reject rate at, 47; retooling at, 128

Remington Arms Company, xi, xliv; bank-ruptcy and sale of, xxvii; E. Remington& Sons and, xliv; first government con-tract and, xxxi–xxxii; Fordyce Bealsand, xxxii (see also Beals, Fordyce);manufacture of revolvers, xix; market-ing by, 96–99, 97; Navy orders for, xxiv;William Jenks and, xxxi

Remington large frame revolvers, 74; BealsNavy (see Beals Navy Revolver); com-mercial demand for, 5; iron used in, 61

Remington Percussion Revolvers: Beal’s 1858

patent and, 2–3; Navy Ordnance Dept.and, 185; postwar and, 273; serial num-bers and, 5

Remington revolver appendages: gang molds,34; required by military contracts,32–34

430

INDEX

Remington Rifles: army orders for,xxxv–xxxvi; Creedmore Rifle, xxxvi;first contracts for, 31; Harpers Ferry (seeHarpers Ferry Rifles); inspections of,193–94; Lee magazine rifle, xliii;Mississippi Rifle, 191, 192; New YorkNational Guard and, xxxv; SpringfieldMusket (see Springfield PatternMuskets); Winchester Rifle, xxxviii;Zouave, 195–96 (see also Remington–Rider Split–Breech Carbines)

Remington Rolling Block Pistols, vii, 186, 250;Navy orders for, 171–72, 185, 278, 327;price of, 171–72

Remington Split-Breech cartridge pistol:Navy orders for, 170–71, 177, 178,178, 186

Remington’s Civil War Rifle and CarbineContracts: Harpers Ferry Rifles, 191–96

Remington’s Final Contract (October 24,1864): certificates of release and, 123–24;delivery and, 126–27, 129–31; Dyer and,126–27; inspections of arms and,127–28; Maynadier and, 123, 127; partslist and prices, 123; Thornton and,126–28, 129–31

Remington’s First Army Revolver Contract(June 13, 1862): ammunition ordersand, 143–47; appendages required for,32–34; Beals Navy Revolvers and,141–42; commercial sales and, 37; com-petitive pricing and, 79; completion of1862 contract, 63–65; contracts for,31–32; Curtis and, 32–33, 35–36; defectsand, 38–39; distribution and, 44; ElliotNavy Revolvers and, 141–42; inspectionof revolvers and, 31, 35–44;Memorandum of Receipts of, 68–72;problems fulfilling orders and, 31, 34,36–38; Ripley and, 31; samples sent for,63; serial numbers and, 65–66;Thornton and, 31; types of arms incontracts, 31–32; Whiteley and, 31

Remington’s Second Army Revolver

Contract, 73–74; Colt and, 82; deliveriesof, 74, 85–89; Hagner and, 73–77;Memorandum of Receipts of, 87–89;negotiations for, 82–83; Ripley and, 71;spare parts and, 83–84

Remington’s Third Army Revolver Contract(November 21, 1863), 91, 94, 101; ammu-nition and, 147–58; Army Revolversand, 116, 120–22; breech-loading car-bines and, 115–16; contract extension,108–9; cost of materials and, 110–11;delivery of, 92–96, 115; Dyer and, 113–16;Elliot Revolvers and, 148; foreign gov-ernment contracts and, 91;Memorandum of Receipts of, 120–22;Navy revolvers and, 147–48; New ModelRevolvers, 117–19, 148; number ofrevolvers in, 91, 147–58; pricing and,109–11, 115; Ramsey and, 91–92, 94; sam-ple revolvers and, 91, 94; second-classrevolvers and, 95–96, 101–3, 116; serialnumbers of, 103, 116; skilled workersand, 111–13; spare parts for revolversand, 148; Thornton and, 91, 94, 101

Remington, Eliphalet, Sr., xxviii, xxixRemington, Eliphalet, Jr.: Benjamin

Harrington and, xxxi; blacksmith shopof, xxix; death of, xxxiii, 7–8, 11; firstgun of, xxix; founding of Ilion and,xxix; gun barrels and, xxx–xxxi, 329;Morgan James and, xxx; Stone Forgeand, xxx–xxxi, 329

Remington, Eliphalet III, xxxi, xxxii, xlv; E.Remington & Sons and, xxxiv, xxxix,xlii, 11; forge operations and, 225, 329;life of, xlv

Remington, Philo, xxxi, xxxii; death of, xliv;E. Remington & Sons and, xxxiii–xxxiv,xxxv, xxxvii, xxxix; personality of, xlv

Remington, Samuel, xxxi, xxxii; E.Remington & Sons and, xxxiii; foreignarms sales and, xxxv, xxxvi–xxxviixxxix, 225–26; Ordnance Dept. armsorders and, 11; Owen-Holt Commission

431

INDEX

on Ordnance and, 11, 12, 19–20, 375–79

(see also Owen–Holt Commission);revolver patent, 58, 337, 338; Thorntonand, 210; Utica and, 225

Remington-Beals: Army revolvers (see BealsArmy revolvers); Second Model PocketRevolver (see Beals Second ModelPocket Revolver); Second VariationRevolver (see Beals Second VariationRevolver); Single Wing Navy Revolver(see Beals Single Wing Navy Revolver);Third Pocket Revolver (see Beals ThirdPocket Revolver); Transition Revolver(see Beals Transition Revolver)

Remington-Beals First Model PocketRevolver: cylinder of, 329, 331 (see alsoBeals Pocket Model Revolver); 1856

patent for, 329, 330, 331

Remington-Rider Rolling Block system,228–29

Remington-Rider Split-Breech Carbines, 116,199–216, 202; caliber of, 216; cartridgesand, 211–12, 242–43; changes to, 207;contract extensions for, 205, 208,213–14, 226; contract for, 115–16, 204–8,392–94, 396–97 (see also RiderSplit–Breech Carbines); deliveries of,222, 229; Dyer and, 205–8; evaluationof, 201–3, 204, 206, 211–13, 214–16;French sales of, 216; large frame, 213,213–14; Memorandum of Receipts,223–24; orders for, 202, 216; OrdnanceDept. and, 199; prices for, 205, 208;problems with, 211–13, 215–16; rejectionrate of, 213, 215–16; small frame, 202,210, 216, 228; Stanton and, 204

Repeating arms: Craig and, xxii–xxiii; prob-lems with, xxii

Revolver appendages: bullet molds (see bulletmolds); cased sets and, 357, 359–61, 360;flasks, 360, 361; for Army and Navyrevolvers, 357, 357–61, 358, 359; for com-mercial revolvers, 359–61 (see alsoRemington revolver appendages)

Revolvers: ammunition problems with,xix–xxi; arguments against, xxii–xxiii;cost of, 19; Craig and, xxii–xxiii; massmanufacturing problems with, xix

Revolving Breech Rifles, 228, 247

Richards, Charles B.: Colt alteration and, 253,255, 257; revolver patent of, 254, 254, 255

Rider Split-Breech Carbines. See Remington-Rider Split-Breech Carbines

Rider, Joseph, 200; breech-loading rifle and,xxxiv, 199; cartridge extractor and, 231,233, 234, 236; patents of, 200, 200, 208,209, 209, 228, 230, 241; Remington and,330; Rolling Block action patent, 210,211, 228–29; Split-Breech cartridge pis-tol, 170, 200

Rifle Cane, 228

Ripley, Brig. Gen. James Wolfe, xiii, 75, 115;ammunition problems and, xx–xxi;arms acquisitions and, 12–13; arms dis-tribution and, 44–45; arms inspectionsand, 20–26, 193–94; Beals NavyRevolvers and, 25; biography of, xii–xiii;certificates of inspection and, 23–24, 26;Crispin and, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26; 1862 con-tract and, 63–65; Hagner and, 13, 44–45;Harpers Ferry Rifles and, 191–96;Kennebec Arsenal and, xii; Remingtonarms orders and, 10–11, 23, 31–33, 35, 42,195; second Remington contract and,73–74; Springfield Armory and, xii;Stanton and, 19; Thornton and, 13,22–23, 35, 39; War Department and, 1

Rodgers Spencer & Co.: arms contracts of,81, 229–30; Pettingill Army Revolver,17, 17, 81

Rollin White Arms Co., 237 (see also White,Rollin)

Rollin White’s patent, xiv–xv, 231, 232, 240,241–42, 247–48; Colt and, 252; extensionrequest of, 253 (see also White, Rollin)

Rolling Block Pistols. See Remington RollingBlock Pistols

Russell, Albert N., xxvii, 2

432

INDEX

Sabers: need for, 10, 251

Savage Carbines: delivery of, 210, 213, 216;orders for, 226; production problemswith, 205, 208

Savage Revolvers: cost of, 19, 378–79; deliverytime of, xix; Navy Model, xviii; Navyorders for, xxiv, 155

Savage Revolving Arms Co.: carbines madeby, 392, 396

Sayre Cultivator Tools, xxxixSayre, James, xxxix–xlSchuyler, Hartley, and Graham: Beals Navy

Revolvers and, 14, 28

Seamans, Clarence W., xliiiSeamans, O. W., 294

Serial numbers: Army revolvers and, 65–66,401; duplication of, 5; Elliot NavyRevolvers and, 43, 65–66; letters as, 356,357, 358; locations of, 355–56; NavyRevolvers and, 5, 43, 65–66, 400; onRemington first contracts, 65–66;Remington armories and, 47–48; spe-cial orders and, 356 (see also individualguns and serial numbers)

Sharps Arms Co.: arms inspections and, 20,48; Palmer, J. C. and, 20

Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company: car-bines ordered from, 1; primers for car-bines and, xx

Single-shot percussion pistols: cavalry and,251; changes to, 250; Navy orders for,xxiv–xxv, 149, 186–87; problems with,149–50

Smith & Wesson: arms alterations and, 251;bored-through cylinder and, 247; car-tridge ejectors and, 241, 250; Civil Warand, xiv–xv; Colt Army Pistols and,256; Kittredge and, 242 (see alsoKittredge); No. 3 American ArmyRevolver, 250; Ordnance Dept. and, 251;postwar arms sales and, 274–75;Remington and, 241–42; small calibermetallic cartridge revolvers and, xiv,231; White’s patent and, xiv–xv, 241

Smith & Wesson Army Revolver: changes to,251; Martin cartridges for, 252; price of, 260

Smith, J. Gregory, 99

Smoot, Lt. William S.: Navy Bureau ofOrdnance and, 297; Remington and,203, 205, 276; Split-Breech Carbinesand, 206, 214

Split-breech carbines. See Remington-RiderSplit-Breech Carbines

Springfield Armory, 199; altered Colts deliv-ered to, 260–61; arms demand and, 371;Balch and, 13; bayonets and, 199; car-tridge ejectors and, 237–39; center firecartridges and, 241; Civil War and,xxxv; civilian arms inspectors and,351–52; contract arms inspections and,22–23, 32–33; Dyer and, 42, 114, 205;Laidley and, 124; metallic cartridgesand, 233–35, 237–39; New Model Armyalterations and, 249, 256; Ripley and,xii, 13; spare parts orders from, 230–31;Split-Breech Carbines and, 202

Springfield Pattern Muskets, xxxiii, 31,192–94, 196–99, 197; barrel rejectionsand, 196–97; classes of, 195, 199; com-mercial sales of, 228; contract extensionfor, 197, 199, 208, 391; contracts for, 196,371–74, 390–92; delivery of, 197–99,218–21, 390–91; inspections of, 196;post–Civil War contracts for, 226; priceof, 195, 196, 199, 371, 376–78; privatecontractors and, 194

Sproulls Meecham & Co., 53

Squires, Watson C., 292

Squires, W. C., 251

Stanton, Secretary of War Edwin M., 15, 16;General Order of March 10, 20, 21;Owen-Holt Commission Report and,20; Ripley and, 20

Starr revolvers: bullet molds and, 359; con-tracts for, 67, 77, 81, 92, 94, 109, 229–30;cost of, 19, 378–79; distribution of, 44;Double Action Navy, 66, 77; Navy

433

INDEX

orders for, xxiv, 80; Single Action Army,66, 77

St. Louis Arsenal: Maj. F. D. Callender and, 94

Storrs, J. W., 242

Thornton, Col. William A., 9; Beals ArmyRevolvers and, 37–39, 141–42; BealsNavy Revolvers and, 37–39, 42, 141; car-touche of, 39, 353; contract armsinspections and, 22–23, 24, 33–35, 38, 41,351; delivery refusal by, 126–28, 141, 353;E. Remington & Sons and, 7, 8, 37;Ordnance Dept. and, 198; Remington’sfinal contract and, 129–31; Remington’sthird contract and, 91, 94, 101; Ripleyand, 13, 22–23, 39; Samuel Remingtonand, 210; Split-Breech Carbines and,210–14; Watervliet Arsenal and, 13,22–23, 34–35, 351

Thuer, F. Alexander: Colt and, 252; revolverpatent of, 253

Tyler, Davidson & Co.: Remington Revolversand, 28–29

Union Army, 1; boy soldier in, 92; Bull Runand, 1; cavalry, 43; soldiers in, 60, 92,93, 106

Union Metallic Cartridge Co., 267; alteredColt revolvers and, 284–85, 286, 324–25;center-fire cartridges and, 293–94

United States Cartridge Co.: Navy Bureau ofOrdnance and, 293–94, 302–3; problemswith, 324–25

Utica Armory. See Remington Armory at Utica

U.S.S.: Essex, 305, 306, 307; Kansas, 154;Mochican, 322–23, 323, 323–24;Monocacy, 305, 306, 315–19; NewHampshire, 182; Ossipat, 305; Ossipee,305, 306; Palos, 317, 317; Pensacola, 310,311, 313–15

Walter A. Wood Co., xxxixWar Department, the: Act of June 23, 1860

and, 15; ammunition problems and,xx–xxi; arms and, 1; arms contractsand, 15; arms procurement practices of,xxi, xxxvii; Colt revolver purchases by,xv–xvii; Ordnance Department and, 1

War of 1812, xiiWarner, Ezra: Generals in Blue, xiiWashington Arsenal, 12, 78; Beals Navy

Revolvers and, 13–14; Ramsey and,xiii, 13

Watervliet Arsenal: E. Remington & Sonsand, 5, 7; Hagner and, 40–42; Thorntonand, 13, 22–23, 34–35, 41, 85

Wesson, D. B., 275

Wesson, Walter H., 275

Whiteley, Maj. R. H. K., xx–xxi, 10; armsinspections and, 21, 24

White, Rollin: cartridge extractor patent, 232;Colt and, 252–53 (see also Colt’s ArmsManufacturing Co.); extension ofpatent of, 247–48; patents of (see RollinWhite’s patent); Remington and, 241;Smith & Wesson and, xiv, 231, 241–42,248 (see also Rollin White Arms Co.)

Whitney Navy Revolvers, 96; inspections of,181, 304; New Jersey purchases of, 106;prices of, 151, 193; testing of, 150

Whitney, Eli. See Eli Whitney & Co.Wilstach & Co., 53

Winchester Repeating Arms Co.: Edwardsand, 282

Wise, Capt. Henry A., 156; Navy Ordnanceorders for arms and, 153–54, 155, 157,170–71

W. J. Syms & Brothers: Beals Navy Revolversand, 28

434

INDEX