Double-action revolvers were clearly the wave of the future, but few were successful during the Civil War. The best known military example is the Starr, but even that was replaced by its more conventional single-action cousin. The Pettingill deserves a note, as do various British imports, and the Cooper and the Remington Rider pocket models in the civilian market. The Remington-Rider belt pistol, represented a renewed effort in 1863 to produce a double-action pistol in belt or navy .36 caliber. In many ways a compact or scaled-down version of Remington New Model Navy revolver, the overall look remained the same, and it retains the robust solid frame, but the barrel was reduced to 6 ½ inches though the trigger guard bow is necessarily larger. Between 3,000 and 5,000 were produced over the next ten years with early versions, likely wartime and numbered under 1,000 having fluted cylinders. This one has the smooth cylinder associated with later production, but being still in percussion makes it somewhat rarer since the company started offered cartridge conversions as well as revolvers with both percussion and cartridge cylinders.

The gun rates about fine for condition with about 60 percent overall finish, sharp lettering, good action, and nice looking, tight grips. The barrel retains about 70 percent blue with just lighter lines along the edges, natural points of wear. The barrel address on the top flat is sharp: MANUFACTURED BY REMINGTON’S ILION. N.Y. / RIDERS PT. AUG. 17. 1858. MAY 3. 1859. The serial number, 3203 is located on the underside of the barrel, struck a little light on the lower right of the 2 and 0. This places it in the latter part of production, for which that barrel is correct, though dating is difficult since production was mixed in with that of the New Model Navy. The loading assembly shows some thin blue from handling. The cylinder shows stronger blue mixed with small scratches and rubs, but a very strong overall impression of blue. The nipples are not battered. The frame, back and grip straps have lost most of their blue but have a warm plum brown patina with some pleasant mottling, some thin blue on the right rear frame, and very nice color on the screws. The triggerguard shows only thin traces of its silver, but the trigger itself shows most of its nitre blue. The hammer shows thin mottled case coloring, blending well with the frame. The grips are very good, with tight fit and nice warm brown color. The show some small handling dings, light scratches, and little wear around the bottom edge, mostly on the right.

These are scarce guns, particularly by comparison with the massive production of some other Remington models. This is very nice example that would fit both in a Remington collection and collection of pistols concentrating on the early west.  [sr] [ph:m]

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