Remington-Beals Model 1858 Navy

About the Remington-Beals Model 1858 Navy

The Remington-Beals Model 1858 Navy is a six-shot, single-action .36 caliber percussion (cap-and-ball) revolver designed by Fordyce Beals and manufactured by E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York. Slightly smaller in frame than the companion Beals Army model, it features a 7.5-inch octagonal barrel and the distinctive solid-frame topstrap that gave Remington revolvers their reputation for durability and resistance to frame stretching. Produced during the opening years of the American Civil War, it was the first in the line of Remington percussion revolvers that evolved into the famous New Model Army and Navy pistols.

The Beals Navy was the first Remington revolver to carry Fordyce Beals's solid-frame design, whose one-piece topstrap over the cylinder became the hallmark that distinguished Remington cap-and-ball revolvers from their open-top Colt rivals and made spent-cylinder swaps far easier in the field.

Remington-Beals Model 1858 Navy specifications

The Beals Navy was the earliest Remington belt-size revolver, protected by Fordyce Beals's patent of September 14, 1858. Production was short, running roughly 1861-1862 before being superseded by the improved 1861 (Elliot's Patent) and New Model designs. Many surviving examples were later factory-converted to fire metallic cartridges such as .38 rimfire for continued naval service. Weight figure is approximate.