The Remington New Model Army was one of the most rugged and respected revolvers of the Civil War. Introduced in 1863, it was the final and best evolution of Remington’s earlier military revolvers, improving on both design and durability. It featured a solid frame with a top strap over the cylinder, which made it much stronger than Colt’s open-top design. Chambered in .44 caliber, it was accurate, powerful, and better suited for the harsh realities of wartime service.

Roughly 130,000 New Model Army revolvers were issued to Union forces during the war, making it the second most widely issued sidearm after the Colt 1860 Army. Soldiers appreciated the gun’s reliability in the field, and the ability to quickly swap cylinders made reloading much faster in a pinch—something that could mean the difference between life and death.

It was carried by a number of well-known figures during the war, including Union generals like George Armstrong Custer. Many officers and cavalrymen favored it for its toughness and accuracy, and it earned a reputation as a serious combat weapon.

After the war, thousands of Remingtons were sold off as surplus, and many veterans chose to keep theirs. It became a popular choice out West, not only because it was proven in battle, but because it could handle daily use in rough conditions. The gun was simple to maintain, built like a tank, and more affordable than buying a brand-new firearm.

Famous outlaws and gunfighters like Jesse James and Frank James were known to carry Remington revolvers—whether wartime leftovers or commercial versions. Its strength and reliability made it a trusted sidearm in both the hands of lawmen and those who ran from them.

In short, the Remington New Model Army wasn’t just a wartime workhorse—it became one of the defining handguns of the American frontier.