This is one of just one thousand Remington New Model Armies purchased by New Jersey in 1864. By that time Colt had fallen out of favor with the Ordnance Department and Remington, deemed the finest revolver available, was on its way to fulfilling a November 1863 contract for 64,900 revolvers, the largest small arms contract awarded by Ordnance during the war. The company also took a leaf out of Colt’s book and canvassed various state authorities for business, often accompanied by a rather nice, cased presentation revolver to the governor. New Jersey’s Quartermaster General responded with a purchase offer on 8/8/64 for 1,000 revolvers with cone wrench and screwdriver for $12.68 each, to be delivered to the Trenton Arsenal in thirty days.

This one rates excellent-plus for condition. (We would say “fine,” which sounds better but is a notch below “excellent” in Flayderman’s condition ratings.) It has better than 80 percent original thin blue finish, sharp lettering and numerals, and just a very minor ding or two on the butt flat. The left side flat of the barrel and left frame between cylinder and triggerguard both have a small “NJ” deeply stamped in the metal, which is the “first type” of marking applied by the New Jersey armorer (the second type being larger and on the frame only.) The correct three-line barrel stamping is crisp. Barrel, frame and cylinder have full color and shifting just slightly toward plum on the back of the frame. The sharp edges of the octagon barrel naturally show a little rubbing and there is a very light drag line on the cylinder. The trigger shows a vibrant blue. The hammer shows muted case color. The wood to metal fit is extremely tight. The backstrap shows some rubbing and more plum color. The color and surface of the wood is great. The head of the grip screw shows blue. As is correct for these state-purchase pistols, the grips do not have US inspector cartouches. The only fault we find is some light marks to the butt flat and one divot that nicked the butt strap as well. The bore and mechanics are fine.

The serial number is 71,519. A letter of 6/6/64 mentions a pistol in the 70,000 range in another context, but that gives a pretty good idea of the production date. New Jersey contract pistols are known in the 58,000 to 75,000 range. This is a very nice Remington New Model Army, and an excellent example of one of primary .44 caliber revolvers purchased and issued during the war for use by cavalrymen.

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