Remington Inspector Markings

[Barbarosa]

Is there anyone who knows where I could view pictures of military inspector marks stamped on the barrel, cylinder, frame, trigger gaurd and grip cartouches, of Military marked Remington 1858 Army 44 cal revolvers? Also locations of serial numbers? Thank You.

[robby reb]

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[Halfway Creek Charlie]

S/N's are under the bbl covered by the rammer and on the left grip frame under the left grip. Also on the Cylinder..sometimes.

Sub-Inspector/inspector marks will be Letters of the alphabet.

Sub-inspector/Inspector marks are found, either side of the bbl near the frame,under the bbl in front of the rammer catch, On the rammer left flatnear where the round part joins the flats, on either side of the frame near the breech, on the left side above and forward of the Hammer screw, on the TG near the screw, Cartouche on left grip, and grip butt flats one on each. Also on the cyklinder near a nipple or safety notch and on the face of the cylinder, or near the pawl.

There are several websites that give the inspector initials and who they worked for. O.W. Ainsworth of Custer era Colt fame also was a Sub-Inspector/Inspector for Remington NMA's I have one with O.W. Ainsworth sub-Inspector marks.

Hope this helps.

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Can you get a copy of McDowells Book on Colt Conversions and other Conversion's?

I have one and the 3 digit number you have is the conversion number of the piece. the CA255 are numbers that were/are unknown at the time MC Dowell wrote his book in 1997. He speculates and said there were speculations as to what the meaning is, but no one knows for sure.

I have had no reference to this marking other than what is in McDowell's book. The books are now out of print, and the Author is deceased, recently one sold on Gunbroker for $250.00 Amazon had one for $450.00.  I'm really glad I bought mine in 1997 for $35.00-$40.00.

When these Remy's were converted at the Armory or converted by Smith and Wesson or under contract(Rollin White had the Drilled thru cylinder Patent, Remington did not) they were refinished and sometimes new grips added.

If they were sold as new cartridge guns (up into the late 1880's) there would not be many/any inspector markings on them. Also check and see if your TG is the same number as the frame. those were changed out also sometimes.

I have a 44 Rem/Colt C.F. Armory conversion that has all the sub inspector markings as I described and the TG is another number, bbl and frame are the same S/N. Cylinder is new made at time of conversion and has no S/N but may have the conversion number. Mine has the conversion number on the side of the hammer and under the bbl. The Cartouche is missing, but this could have happened later as the grips show signs of cleaning.

I also have one that is Gunsmith converted(the one with the Ainsworth markings) that has all the Sub inspector marking and the cartouche.


Both of these are early NMA 5 digit S/N (approx 1863) after the transition from Old Model Army with all NMA parts.

I'd reccomend McDowell's book, but I know they are expensive, but well worth the money. Perhaps a local library might have one that you could copy the Remington portion out of.

[St. George]

McDowell's ' A Study of Colt Conversions and Other Percussion Revolvers' -  is a superb reference - and damned near impossible to find.

However - since it's also a modern publication - it's also a 'sleeper' book that can sometimes surface at a small gun show.

I wouldn't be holding my breath on that - but stranger things do happen - so I wish you luck.

Try going to your Public Library and ask if they can get you an Inter-Library Loan.

You may have to pay for the shipping - typically $5 - but if it's out there, they can get it for you - and you'll learn a helluva lot about the Conversions.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

With that Revolver I'd for sure try to buy the book. There is one just like it on page 56 fig.3-52 marked CA 91 where he tells about the unknown origins of the markings. Your conversion is FACTORY conversion.  Either Remington after 1869(demize of Whites Patent) or a Smith and Wesson contrated conversion.

I got two words for your conversion. WOW and WOW!!!!!

[Wolfgang]

Hi Pards, . . thanks for the posts, the information, and the pictures of the great conversion '58s. . . I'm not up to getting my self any conversions, . . . but I'm leaning towards aquiring one ( then more of course ) originals still in c&ball configuration.  Thanks again for posting, . . Good shootin', . . . 

[Halfway Creek Charlie]

Barbarosa,
I have not purchased that book yet. It is on the list. It will be a good reference as well.
I haven't seen a copy of it yet.

Wolfgang,
There are some nice Original C & B Remy's out there right now.