This Civil War cap and ball percussion handgun is a verbally-identified Remington New Model Army revolver in very good overall condition. Purchased from the family in 1960, family lore indicated that John Zortman carried this sidearm during his enlistment as a trooper in the 20^th PA Cavalry during 1864 and 1865. The 20^th PA Cavalry, a six months regiment was reorganized as a three year regiment in early 1864. Assigned to Company B, Private John Zortman enlisted on February 4, 1864 and mustered into the company the same day at Harrisburg or at Philadelphia.  The regiment reported to General Sigel in the Shenandoah Valley where it engaged the enemy at New Market, Staunton, New Glasgow, Lynchburg and Salem, VA.  The 20^th was assigned to the 2^nd Bde of the 1^st Cav Division when General Sheridan took command in August 1864. The 20^th rode on Sheridan’s raids and joined the army in the siege of Petersburg, VA.  Zortman served with the 20^th in all its actions until it consolidated with the 2^nd PA cavalry to form the 1^st Pennsylvania Provincial cavalry on June 17, 1865.   He later mustered out with the 1^st PA Provincial cavalry on July 13, 1865 at Cloud’s Mill, Virginia.

These Remington sidearms were in production from 1863 to 1875 and the New Model Army became the strongest competitor against the Colt Model 1860 revolver during that time. The Union government acquired a total of some 122,000 such New Model revolvers for military use.  This government sub-inspector marked sidearm is an original .44 caliber weapon with a 6-shot round cylinder matched to an 8” long octagonal barrel.  Screw-on barrel shows threads visible at the breech end of the frame. Grips are original two-piece walnut in very good condition with a government inspector cartouche visible on the left grip.   The five-digit serial number (#60795) has been deeply stamped into the bottom facet of the barrel above the loading lever and also on the frame interior.

No original bluing or case colors left on the frame, hammer or lever.  All gunmetal may have been cleaned and now wears a dark gray finish with light pitting overall. Sidearm features a brass trigger guard, steel backstrap and the low hammer spur.  This revolver is equipped with six safety notches on the cylinder shoulders between the nipples. Cylinder is plain and shows average wear.  Original nipples are intact and not chipped or broken.  Barrel marking clear and reads “PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858 / E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A. / NEW MODEL”. Revolver mechanics tight and strong.  All screws original. Comes with cursory records from the CivilWarData base.   This identified Remington New Model Army revolver is a nice representative cavalry sidearm of the Civil War, and later.  One such Remington NM was carried by famous showman William “Buffalo Bill” Cody from 1866 through 1875.

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