Remington-Beals Navy Revolver
E. Remington & Sons · Revolver · Discontinued · 1861
Also known as: Remington-Beals Model 1858 Navy, Beals Navy Model Revolver, Remington Beals First Model Navy
Overview
The Remington-Beals Navy Revolver is an American .36 caliber cap-and-ball percussion revolver designed by Fordyce Beals and manufactured by E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York. The first of Remington's solid-frame military revolvers, it featured an integral top strap that gave the frame greater strength than the open-top Colts of the period, paired with a roughly seven-inch octagonal barrel screwed into the frame and an under-barrel loading lever. Produced in small numbers during 1861 and 1862, this six-shot single-action revolver saw service early in the American Civil War and established the design that would evolve into the far more numerous Remington New Model Army.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1130 g (39.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 337 mm (13.27") |
| Barrel Length | 184 mm (7.24") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Percussion |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Revolving Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 221 m/s (725 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 134 J (99 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 91 m (100 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 12 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 5 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .36 Caliber Percussion (Cap and Ball) · primary — also known as .36 Black Powder, .36 Percussion, .36 Navy
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Percussion Cap And Ball
- Safety mechanisms: Hammer Safety Notches
- Features: Solid Frame, Octagonal Barrel, Loading Lever, Brass Trigger Guard, German Silver Front Sight
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1862
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 14,500 · Production years: 1861-1862
Roughly 14,500 Beals-pattern revolvers produced across Navy and Army models; the U.S. government procured a substantial share for early Civil War service before the improved New Model superseded the design.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Fordyce Beals
Discontinued: 1862
Notes
Based on Fordyce Beals' patent of September 14, 1858 (U.S. Patent 21,478). Only about 14,500 Beals revolvers (Navy and Army combined) were produced before the design was superseded; the Navy variant fired the smaller .36 caliber round ball. Distinguished from later Remington revolvers by its Beals-pattern loading lever and German silver cone front sight.
Background
The Beals Navy marked the moment Remington broke into the military revolver market that Colt had long dominated, and its solid-frame top strap would become the hallmark of every Remington percussion revolver that followed.