GR-0526-6866, Remington Model 1888 Revolver. .44-40 caliber with a 5 3/4-inch barrel. The barrel appears to have been cut down from the standard 7 1/2-inch length, a common alteration on Western guns to make them faster and easier to draw from a holster.

The Model 1888 is an elusive revolver, with fewer than 1,000 manufactured. It was a true transitional model between the Remington 1875 and the Model 1890. During the mid-1880s, Remington faced severe financial trouble after stretching the company too thin. The longtime family-owned “Remington & Sons” reorganized into the “Remington Arms Company” under new management. The Model 1888 is one of, if not the last revolver to bear the “Remington & Sons” patent barrel address.

The 1888 was truly a transition gun from the 1875 to the 1890. As Remington reorganized, they made use of existing parts rather than waste good inventory, resulting in the unique characteristics seen on these revolvers. True 1888s are always marked “Remington & Sons,” have the same style wood grips as the 1875, the ejector housing of the Model 1890, and matching assembly numbers on the bottom of the barrel, frame, and ejector housing.

This revolver is correctly configured for a true 1888 and retains all assembly numbers in the proper locations. The serial number is 3XX on the frame, with matching assembly number 26X.

The gun retains approximately 50% original nickel finish, with the exposed metal having aged to a dark patina where the nickel has worn away. The left side of the frame and part of the cylinder show fine pitting, likely from the revolver resting on a moist surface for an extended period of time on that side only.

The grips are original and correct for an 1888. The lanyard ring has clearly been with the gun for well over a century, evidenced by the wear pattern worn into both the nickel and the wood at the base of the grips.

Mechanically, the revolver remains functional, with three distinct clicks, a functional half-cock, and a tight full-cock position. The bore is mostly bright with strong rifling, showing scattered fine spots and residue throughout. At some point, the ejector housing screw hole was redrilled and slightly entered the bore, but a competent gunsmith did an excellent job ensuring the screw remains flush inside the bore. The revolver could still be fired.

Very difficult revolver to find and a highly desirable transitional Remington model.

Est. Retail Value: $4,500