This revolver from c. late 1874 or early 1875 is one of the first 100 Remington Model 1875 revolvers off the line and is certainly one of the finest extant today both in terms of condition and its embellishment. These early "First Type, First Issue" revolvers were originally going to be .46 caliber rimfire but were instead released in .44 Remington Centerfire. After 1878, most of the Model 1875s were chambered for .44 Winchester Centerfire or .45 Colt. This revolver features the distinctive early production "First Type,, the First Type lanyard loop on the butt, and the First Type "pinched" blade front sight threaded into the barrel. Its matching two-digit serial number, "51," is marked on the left side of the matching number grip frame under the grip, on the rear face of the cylinder, on the barrel (under the ejector rod assembly), and on the ejector rod assembly, on both the web and rod itself. There are no caliber markings indicating 44 Remington Centerfire and the inside of the loading gate is stamped with the number "3". The barrel has "E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A." reading from the breech towards the muzzle. The revolver is beautifully engraved with extensive engraving mainly consisting of flowing scroll designs. The extent of the engraving combined with the pearl grips and the low serial number suggests this revolver was possibly selected for engraving as a factory exhibition piece to help promote Remington's new design. The engraving is indicative of patterns by Louis D. Nimschke. Nimschke is known to have been tasked with engraving firearms for Remington and other leading firearms companies for exhibitions as well as important presentations such as the factory engraved Remington New Model Army revolvers that were presented to Ulysses S. Grant and previously sold by Rock Island Auction Co. for $5.17 million in May of 2022. The scrollwork is classic Nimschke. A companion to this revolver is a Model 1890 from the Remington Museum (see Karr and Karr's "Remington Handguns," page 130). Also see the Model 1875 no. 81 in our May 2023 premier auction (lot 3229) and no. 57 in our December 2024 premier auction (lot 1065). Note the similarities of the engraving, especially on the scrollwork on the frame and "Nimschke star" on the right side of the frame. The ejector housing and underside, cylinder and hammer are gold plated and the remaining parts are silver plated. Fitted with two piece pearl grips with a simple fine line scroll design carved on the upper portion. Seldom are these Remington Model 1875s found engraved, and even rarer with gold and silver finish.

Very fine, retaining 70% gold and 90% of the silver period retailer applied plating. Small areas of the silver are beginning to darken with age and there is scattered areas of wear, mainly on the high points. The attractively enameled grips are very fine with a few minor to moderate chips on the bottom edges and some mild handling marks. The engraving is sharp, and the markings clear. Mechanically fine. A seldom found factory engraved, gold and silver plated Remington Model 1875 revolver. Most likely this Model 1875 was made for exhibition.