When outlaw Frank James surrendered to Missouri Governor T.T. Crittenden in 1882, he was asked about his choice of sidearm, the Remington 1875 revolver. James declared, “the Remington is the hardest and surest shooting pistol made.”

Remington's large frame, single action six shooter was the company's first foray into the centerfire revolver market. 150 years after its release, the popularity of the Model 1875 remains strong thanks to its Hollywood coverage, the availability of reproduction models, and the revolver's status as an Old West collector's gun.

An exceptional factory engraved, early production, Remington Model 1875 revolver with incised pearl grips.

Rock Island Auction Company offers numerous examples of the Remington 1875 platform, as well as numerous developmental predecessors, successors, and competitors that the famed revolver faced off against.

Road to the Remington 1875

Remington's first revolver, the Beals Pocket, was manufactured from 1857 to 1858. The gun was built around Fordyce Beals’ patent, which used a spring-catch to securely lock the cylinder during firing and streamline cylinder reinsertion after loading. Over the next decade, E. Remington & Sons of Ilion N.Y. produced various improvements to the design chambered in both .36 and .44 caliber revolvers.

400 to 500 Beals Navy Model revolvers were sold to the U.S. Army, like this .36 caliber martially inspected example that achieved $17,250 in RIAC's May 2021 Premier Auction.

Launched in 1863, the New Model Army was far and away the most successful of Remington's cap and ball revolvers, with 120,000 produced by 1875. This .44 caliber workhorse became the second most widely issued Union revolver throughout the Civil War. Not only would the New Model Army prove an ideal platform for post-war cartridge conversion, it would go on to serve as the template for Remington's Model 1875 revolver.

A Remington New Model Army revolver with a boxed script "GP" inspection cartouche stamped on the left grip panel and "PATENTED SEPT. 14. 1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION NEWYORK.U.S.A./NEW-MODEL" marked in three lines on the top barrel flat.

Birth of the Cartridge Revolver

Smith & Wesson introduced the world's first widely produced, fully self-contained cartridge revolver with its No. 1 First Issue First Type model of 1857. An agreement with Rollin White for exclusive rights to his bored-through cylinder patent allowed Smith & Wesson to corner America's cartridge revolver market until 1869, leaving manufacturers like Colt and Remington waiting in the wings.

An engraved, silver and gold plated, Smith & Wesson Model 1 1/2 First Issue revolver attributed as purchased by Smith & Wesson Co-Founder Horace Smith.

After White's patent expired, numerous manufacturers began converting their cap-and-ball models to rimfire and eventually centerfire cartridges. 1869 saw the introduction of the Smith & Wesson Model 3. The US Ordnance Department ordered 1,000 of these large frame, top break revolvers chambered in the .44 Smith & Wesson Centerfire round, and the model received even greater interest from Russia the following year.

In 1872, Colt's Model P Single Action Army became the frontrunner in the U.S. Government service revolver trials. The following year, the Ordinance Department placed an order for 8,000 Colt SAA revolvers chambered in .45 Long Colt for issue with the U.S. Cavalry. Seeing the potential for lucrative military contracts in America and abroad, Remington scrambled to develop a large frame centerfire revolver of their own.

This extremely early first year production Colt Single Action Army pinch frame revolver, serial no. 14, is one of only three surviving Colt SAA examples chambered in .44 S&W American.

The Remington 1875 Revolver Hits the Market

The Remington New Model Army served as the foundation for the Remington Model 1875, with the new revolver retaining its predecessor's solid top strap and easy to access lock work. The New Model Army's ram rod was also carried over to form the under-barrel steel web or "sail" on the 1875 and became one of the defining features of Remington's cartridge revolver.

Originally planned for a .46 caliber rimfire, Remington decided to instead chamber the first iteration of their revolver in .44 Remington centerfire. Remington originally introduced the gun as "the 1874 Model." The revolver would receive numerous designations over the next few years in company catalogs, including "The Remington No. 3 Revolver, Model 1875," the "Remington Improved Army, or Frontier Revolver," and the "Remington New Model Army Revolver."

An outstanding Remington Model 1875 revolver.

The example below, a First Type, First Issue Remington 1875 wearing serial number 81, was one of the first revolvers produced, coming off the line in either late 1874 or early 1875. Early features include a First Type lanyard loop on the butt, a pinched blade front sight threaded into the barrel, and a hammer that's been factory-modified from rimfire to centerfire.

One of the finest existing Remington 1875 revolvers, with engraving by master engraver L.D. Nimschke, this early production example sold for $52,875 in RIAC's May 2023 auction.

In an 1876 advertisement, Remington declared “In a word, we claim for this Pistol a SUPERIORITY OVER ALL OTHERS, having sold 10,000 of these for immediate delivery. We are now ready to Supply the trade."

The 10,000 revolvers Remington boasts about refer to a large contract with the Khedivate government of Egypt. The Egyptians had also purchased a substantial number of Remington rolling block rifles, but ended up defaulting on hundreds of thousands of unpaid debts. Remington canceled the Egyptian revolver contract, and according to the Remington Historical Society, few, if any, Model 1875 revolvers were ultimately delivered.

A fine representative example of an Egyptian Army contract Remington Model 1875 revolver, this example has a "JWR" cartouche on the left grip panel.

Remington 1875 Revolver by the Numbers

In 1883, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the US Department of the Interior ordered 639 nickel plated Remington 1875 revolvers for the Indian tribal police. The Mexican government would order 1,000 revolvers chambered in .45 Long Colt. The rest of Remington's sales would come from the civilian market.

The Remington 1875 was offered in three different chamberings throughout its production life. The original .44 Remington Centerfire, .44-40 WCF, and .45 LC. The .45 caliber examples were produced with longer cylinders. After 1878, most Model 1875 revolvers were chambered in either .44 WCF or .45 LC.

This Mexican contract marketed Remington Model 1875 revolver sold for $4,700 in RIAC's October 2024 S&C Auction. The barrel has the Mexican liberty cam and sunburst in sunken hallmark along with the number "229." The cylinder and right side of the frame are marked "RdeM."

Revolvers chambered in .44-40 WCF proved popular on the frontier. When Governor Crittenden asked Frank James why he favored the Remington 1875 SAA revolver and the Winchester 1873 rifle, James answered "The cartridges of one filled the chambers of the other. There is no confusion of ammunition here. When a man gets into a close, hot fight, with a dozen men shooting at him all at once, he must have his ammunition all of the same kind."

Frank James surrendered his Remington 1875 revolver to Governor T.T. Crittenden on October 4, 1882.

In total, somewhere around 30,000 Remington 1875 revolvers were produced. The exact number is unclear due to Remington numbering later production revolvers in consecutive batches. Estimates vary between 25,000 to 40,000, with many authors favoring the lower half of that range.

As noted in American Rifleman, "Only the first run of guns, up to approximately 15,800, were serial-numbered. A second run is thought to have been serially numbered from 1 to 2,000. After that, all guns were consecutively numbered in batches, which explains why so many duplicate low-numbered 1875s are encountered."

Features of the Remington 1875

The most recognizable trait of the Remington 1875 is the web on the underside of the ejector housing that runs from the front of the cylinder to two-thirds up the barrel. The lanyard ring on the bottom of the grip is another defining feature, which Remington described as useful for "slinging to saddle, or carrying over the back."

While the latter suggestion might have made for a painfully awkward way to secure a sidearm, a saddle lanyard would have been ideal for ranchers and cowboys, lawmen and cavalry troops, and anyone else who needed to keep their pistol close at hand while on horseback.

An 1878 advertisement for the Remington 1875 revolver.

Almost all Remington 1875 revolvers left the factory with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, the same length as the Colt SAA Cavalry model. Other standard Model 1875 features included a fluted cylinder, walnut grips, and blued or nickel finish. In Remington's 1878 catalog, a revolver with blue finish was offered for $18.00, while nickel ran $18.75. Nickel proved more popular despite the extra cost.

A factory engraved Remington 1875 was priced at $24.00. A revolver with ivory grips cost $23.50, with pearl running $33.00. Gold and silver plated options could be purchased as well, and are some of the rarest and most sought-after examples found today.

This factory engraved Remington Model 1875, serial number 51, features pearl grips and retains 70% gold and 90% of its silver period retailer applied plating.

Remington 1875 vs Colt Single Action Army

The Remington 1875 revolver is often compared to the Colt Single Action Army, and understandably so. The Remington 1875 was released as the Colt SAA's direct competitor and the two models share numerous similarities, but there are a number of distinctions as well.

In addition to the lower barrel web, the Remington 1875 has a larger grip that's spaced farther back from the trigger guard and the ejector rod button is on the right side of the revolver. The Remington 1875 is slightly larger and heavier overall than the Colt SAA, with more weight at the front of the gun. The grip frame is integral with the receiver, with six fewer screws than the Colt Single Action Army, which Remington claimed gave their gun a durability advantage.

A Remington Model 1875 compared to a Colt Single Action Army.

The 'Report of the Board on Behalf of the Executive Departments at the International Exhibition of 1876' outlined the perceived advantages of the Remington 1875 revolver as follows:

"The very numerous advantages or improvements claimed for the Remington revolver, as compared with the Colt arm are the use of a light base pin, which can be withdrawn by loosening its catch, and thus allowing the removal of the cylinder; the introduction of the ejector frame, fastening to the barrel by a small screw to the frame by a dowel-pin, lessening the liability of accidentally tearing the ejecting system from the barrel; the coiling of the ejector spring around the base-pin instead of around the ejector; the fact that the butt of the Remington is forged solid with the pistol frame. It is also claimed that the pistol has a neater appearance than the Colt."

This superb Remington Model 1875 revolver in.44-40 with a presentation style case sold for $8,625 in RIAC's September 2018 Premier Auction.

The two revolvers were initially offered at a similar price point, with the Single Colt Action Army and Remington 1875 both listed between $17.00 and $18.00 in different advertisements from 1878. After the E. Remington & Sons firm went into receivership and ownership of the company passed to firearms dealer Hartley & Graham in 1888, the cost of the Remington 1875 had been reduced to $12.50 for a blued finish revolver and $13.50 for a revolver with nickel plating.

The Colt SAA remained around $17.00 during this period, giving the Remington revolver an edge in affordability during the final years the model was offered. Even still, from 1875 to 1888, the Colt Single Auction Army outproduced the Remington 1875 four to one.

This Colt Single Action Army inspected by Henry Nettleton is in high condition and worthy of the finest of collections. Colt SAA expert John Kopec has examined the gun and given it his gold seal of authentication, noting its unfired and excellent condition.

Other Competitors

Following the Colt Single Action Army, the Remington 1875 revolver's next most significant rival was the top break Smith & Wesson No. 3 line. The S&W No. 3 American, Russian, and Schofield revolver all found modest success in the civilian and military markets, though far fewer could be found chambered in .44-40 compared to the Remington Model 1875.

Manufactured c. 1875, this is an exceptionally fine example of a U.S. contract First Model Schofield single action revolver, serial number 239.

Cartridge revolvers from dozens of smaller manufacturers had flooded the market by the late 1870s, though most were smaller or medium sized rimfire revolvers from companies like Whitneyville Armory, Iver Johnson, Hopkins & Allen, and Plant’s Manufacturing Company.

Larger centerfire options were available from companies like Forehand & Wadsworth and Merwin, Hulbert, & Co. Though Colt and Smith & Wesson had positioned themselves as the clear market leaders, the Remington 1875 revolver was able to achieve a distant but respectable third place in a crowded market.

A factory panel scene engraved Merwin Hulbert & Co. open top Pocket Army SA revolver features relief carved Mexican eagle grips.

Remington 1890

Production of the Remington 1875 was discontinued after E. Remington & Sons went into receivership. Hartley & Graham reorganized the firm as Remington Arms Company and sold the remaining Model 1875 revolvers, with some of them reworked with 5 3/4 inch barrels.

From 1888 to 1889, a small run of what the Hartley & Graham catalog called the "New Model Pocket Army" revolver were offered. Totaling less than 1,000 produced, these revolvers are dubbed the Remington Model 1888 Transitional Single Action Army by today's collectors and were assembled utilizing some leftover parts on hand at the factory. They feature 5 3/4 inch barrels and lack the web of their Remington 1875 predecessors.

This scarce Remington Model 1888 Transitional Single Action Army revolver sold for $11,500 at RIAC's December 2021 Premier Auction.

From 1891 to 1894, Remington Arms Company produced the Model 1890 revolver, a true successor to the Remington 1875. The Model 1890 was available in 5 1/2 inch and 7 1/2 inch barrel lengths, featured a lanyard stud and ring mounted on the butt, and was only chambered in .44-40. Like the Model 1888, the Model 1890 lacked an under-barrel web. Only about 2,000 were produced in total, a fraction of their Model 1875 predecessor.

A Remington Model 1890 revolver. The top of the barrel is marked "REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, N.Y." and "44 C.F.W" on the left side of the frame just below the cylinder.

Remington 1875 Legacy

In addition to being favored by the notorious Frank James, the Remington 1875 was carried by numerous soldiers and lawmen. Major Frederick Russell Burnham toted a Model 1875 during the Pleasant Valley War and later while battling the Apache. James Ryan, the sheriff of Crook County, Wyoming who twice arrested the Sundance Kid, was famous for carrying a Remington. Country Music Artist "Pancake Pete" Newman of the Sleepy Hollow Gang owned the exceptional example pictured below.

This Remington Model 1875 SAA revolver is attributed to Country Music Artist "Pancake Pete" Newman of the Sleepy Hollow Gang sold for $7,050 in RIAC’s May 2022 Premier Auction.

The Remington 1875 can be found as a background gun in some classic Westerns, as well as being featured as a hero gun in some lesser known pictures. The revolver has seen more prominent appearances in recent film and television offerings. The Remington 1875 is the first gun seen onscreen in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' It's toted by multiple characters in HBO's 'Deadwood' series and becomes Marshal Bullock's primary sidearm in the recent film. Even John Wick picks up an antique Model 1875 in the third chapter of the series.

In the 2010 remake of 'True Grit,' the Remington 1875 is prominently featured as villain Ned Pepper's revolver. And in one of the gun's most famous appearances for modern Western fans, Robert Duvall wields the Remington sixgun in 2003's 'Open Range,' where he comments on the gun's heft compared to Kevin Costner's Colt SAA.

Robert Duvall fires a Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army revolver in 'Open Range'.

Today, reproductions of the Remington Model 1875 are available from the likes of Uberti, Cimarron, and Taylor's & Co. The Uberti 1875 Army Outlaw and 1875 Frontier are particularly popular, with the Outlaw a favorite model in the Cowboy Action Shooting Community. While these reproductions provide a unique range experience and help keep the spirit of the Remington 1875 revolver alive, there's nothing like owning an original example of this iconic platform.

This cased set of consecutively numbered Uberti/Navy Arms Model 1875 Army revolvers sold at RIAC in June 2022 for $1,035.

Remington 1875 for Sale

150 years after the Remington Model 1875 hit the scene, the revolver's legacy continues to endure today. With a story that stretches from Egypt to Mexico to every corner of the American frontier, Remington's sturdy sixgun carved a worthy niche for itself in an increasingly competitive market. Examples of the genre are attainable at a variety of price points, making the Remington 1875 an appealing option for arms collectors, Old West enthusiasts, and any firearm fan with an appreciation for rare revolvers with a story to tell.

A Remington Model 1875 revolver for sale this May at Rock Island Auction Company.

While the Colt SAA and the Winchester 1873 played a prominent role on the American frontier, a multitude of guns were also instrumental in winning the West. Subscribe to the Rock Island Auction newsletter for new gun blogs and gun videos featuring popular Old West guns like the famous line of black powder Colts, Confederate revolvers, the Smith & Wesson No. 2, the Colt 1877 DA revolvers, the Sharps rifle, the Spencer carbine, the Henry rifle, the Winchester repeater family, the Marlin Model 1881, the double barrel hammer shotgun, and the various surplus muzzleloaders, and breech loading rifles that found their way westward.

The Black Beauty Colt Single Action Army revolver was engraved by L.D. Nimschke for Mexican President Jose Manuel del Refugio Gonzalez Flores.