Help with Original 1858 New Model Army.

[gmaque]

Sonny
Your revolver appears to be a 1858 New Model Army model that's been converted from percussion to cartridge. If it is a 6 shot revolver it is likely not a factory conversion since it is believed that the factory conversions were in .46 CF with 5 shot cylinders. It is not unusual to find some really nice 6 shot conversions that were done by early gunsmiths, most in .44 or .45. The hammer on your gun appears to have been modified for centerfire and the spur has been replaced/modified. As percussion guns became obsolete many of these old guns were converted to cartridge for the American frontier. Your gun could be considered to be "Transitional" in that it spans the time between the end of percussion guns and the beginning or factory cartridge guns. Time frame is roughly between 1866 and 1875. The front sight was a small, screw in, pinch type used on the 1858 New Models. Check the list of parts suppliers found here on the RSA site, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find a one.
Good Luck and Thanks for posting your inquiry and picture here on the RSA site.
George McAllister

[gmaque]

Sonny
Good Morning.
I think your gun was built in January of 1864. If there are no small inspector marks on the frame, cylinder, etc and no evidence of a cartouche on the grips, then the gun was likely a civilian model. That being said, it's a old gun, marks can wear, grips wear or can be changed, so there's no sure way of telling. Thanks for posting the additional pictures, it's a nice gun. If your interest in Remington's goes farther than just this one gun, I'd reccomend that you consider joing the Remington Society of America. It's a great organization whose members are knowledgeable in just about everything that Remington has ever done. You'll receive quarterly issues of The Journal, a magazine filled with usefull aritcles, info and pictures. It's easy to join and can be done on the "How To Join" page here on the web site.
Thanks,
George
GBA

[ForumAdmin]

It will be interesting to hear what a "real" gunsmith would do but I would...

Fill the hole with penetrating oil changing weekly for a month or so and drill two holes for a spanner.

Short of that I'd shorten the sight and use loctite

You could drill the right size and maybe peel the thread but good luck...

[ForumAdmin]

There's small spanner screw driver/sockets, that small I haven't need to look, a slot for a screwdriver would be hard to do. (for me) Well I guess I could put it in the mill and walk it and put lots of holes but I only pretend to be a machinist.