My New 58 Remmingtons

[Big'un Bruce]

Wanting something different to shoot some blackpowder matches with and also wanting some guns from the Civil war period, I bought me a pair of 58 Remmingtons.  I also added conversion cylinders.  Can't wait to use them in a match.

I've taken them to the range a couple of times now and on one of them, the plunger pin keeps falling out.  It's item number 50 in the following site.

http://www.bghi.us/index.php?x=1858_dwg

What do I do to get this pin to stay in place?

Thanks,

Big'un

[Montana Slim]

Oh, yes.. New Model Remington's of 1863.....
The pin ends should have been staked/flared after assembly, then sanded/ground smooth.
I suggest peening the pin, with a hammer , pin punch, or even a center punch. Whatever your most comfortable with.

Regards,
Slim

[Big'un Bruce]

Thanks for the input.  Do you know where I can get any further reading on how to peen the pin?  I suppose what you're talking about but, don't want to do something to mess them up.

Also, I'm curious on why you say 1863.  What I purchased were 1858 Sheriff models as you see in the following link.  I added the conversion cylinders.

http://www.emf-company.com/store/pc/1858-SHERIFF-STEEL-c191.htm

Again, thanks!

[Wolfgang]

There never was a   '58 Remington .   The original Remington patent was dated 1858 and so the term '58 Remington has become the common usage term for various Remington style pistols that are made today as reproductions.  Many of the reproduction not exact duplicates the various original models that they are paterned after.  The "sherriff's model" is just a short barrelled version developed by the Italian makers to market to cowboy action shooters who like a quicker draw made possible by the shorter barrel.    

[Cliff Fendley]

Did Remington even call it by a # or were they just considered a Beals Army, Army, New Army back then?

It does seem silly that the New Army copies are called an 1858 today when the Beals Army was the 58, the Army 61, so the New Army should be called a 63 if any date is used.

BTW, I love the Remington style revolvers, my favorite percussion revolver. The design seems so ahead of Colt at the time.

[Wolfgang]

The design was way ahead of Colt.   Colt was still using an arbor and wedge system in the "new" design of 1972 for the "open top" and only went to a top strap design and center fire cartridge in order to get the military to accept their pistol.     

[Montana Slim]

Thanks for the input.  Do you know where I can get any further reading on how to peen the pin?  I suppose what you're talking about but, don't want to do something to mess them up.Again, thanks!

Don't know where you'd read-up on such a topic. I learned most of my skills via trial/error many years ago. I'll try to describe:

I'd start by laying the rammer assembly out on a hard surface..like the anvil end of my bench vice. With one end of the pin DOWN against the anvil, I'd start tapping firmly with my 6 z ball peen hammer against the UP end on the pin. The ends will upset (peen) as you deform the (compress) the pin. I would check periodically to see f it is getting tight. Then tap more, harder, or with a larger hammer until I achieved the desired result.

[Big'un Bruce]

Montana Slim, thanks.