September 14 In Patent History

The Remington-Beals Model Revolvers along with subsequent models and variations were percussion revolvers manufactured by Eliphalet Remington & Sons in .31 (Pocket) .36 (Navy) or .44 (Army) calibre, used during the American Civil War, and was the beginning of a successful line of medium and large frame pistols.

The Remington is a single-action, six-shot, percussion revolver produced by E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y., based on the Fordyce Beals patent of September 14, 1858 (Patent 21,478).

The Remington revolver owes its durability to the “top strap”, solid-frame design. The design is effectively as strong and resistant to frame stretching as the steel-framed open-top revolvers of the same era while being simpler to produce than an open-top revolver of adequate strength. The internal lockwork of the Remington is also simpler in construction.

The Remington-Beals design lives on today in the form of replicas from Italian manufacturers Uberti, Pietta, and Euroarms; available in modern steel, and brass frame.

The Euroarms and Uberti New Model Army replicas are nearly identical to the originals. These replicas are very popular in civil war reenacting and Cowboy Action Shooting.