Serial Number Help

[smith693]

I recovered this pistol in a battlefield location where the US 4th Cavalry engaged Quanah Parker's Comanche Indians.



Taking it to a lab for electrolysis for serial number recovery this weekend. Is there any information about these guns other than manufacture date available?

I think it was carried (and dropped) by Comanche, the gun seems to be loaded with round ball ammo but would still wonder where it went after production.

[smith693]

Here's a view of the bullets:

[King Medallion]

Thats a pretty neat find. I bet not many get to find treasures like that.

[Blair]

Smith693,

I am not sure there is a way to check Remington revolver SS#'s to a dated of production. There maybe a few during ACW production.
However, the New Model 1863 Army revolvers were manufactured from 1863 until 1875 with about 155,000 (+) being produced during that time.
Do you know where the actual SS#'s maybe found, once you have this revolver cleaned up? I will offer what help I can if you would like.
My best,
Blair

[smith693]

The serial number I think we can recover is here:



It's already partially visible, so I have high hopes:

[smith693]

Smith693,

I am not sure there is a way to check Remington revolver SS#'s to a dated of production. There maybe a few during ACW production.
However, the New Model 1863 Army revolvers were manufactured from 1863 until 1875 with about 155,000 (+) being produced during that time.
Do you know where the actual SS#'s maybe found, once you have this revolver cleaned up? I will offer what help I can if you would like.
My best,
Blair

I don't know where the Serial Numbers are recorded.

[Blair]

Smith693,

You are on the right tract with the grip frame #.
The other place will be on the bottom barrel flat, under the loading lever forward of the frame.
This area maybe easier to read once you have the corrosion cleaned up, and can open/remove the loading leave? (To my knowledge there is "no" place Remington revolver SS#'s can be documented.)
I hope this helps,
Blair

[St. George]

Remington was also noted for reaching a production number, then starting the serial number sequence over at '1'.

They also used 'assembly numbers' that have zero relation to when the piece was built, but make folks believe that they have a low-number piece, when all they were for was to ensure that the weapon stayed together during production.

Good Luck!

Scouts Out!

[Arizona Trooper]

The late Don Ware's excellent book on the Army and Navy Remingtons has a table of numbers vs production dates. Don would have been the first to tell you it's not perfect, but it should give you a close idea of when a particular one was made. 

[smith693]

Got the number before electrolysis.

#64339

[Arizona Trooper]

That would be March of 1864. The closest thing that shows up in Springfield Research Service is 64568 in the 1st Md. Cav., in Feb. of '65.

[smith693]

That would be March of 1864. The closest thing that shows up in Springfield Research Service is 64568 in the 1st Md. Cav., in Feb. of '65.

Thanks a bunch! Is that from Ware's book that was mentioned earlier? Is that March of 64 or 65?

[Arizona Trooper]

Yes, that's from Don's book, "Remington Army and Navy Revolvers 1861-1888". It's a must have for students of Remington cap and ball revolvers, and the early cartridge conversions.

1864

[smith693]

Cleaning is coming along great!

[smith693]

Cleaning complete!