Traditional Muzzleloading Association
Traditional Firearms => Cap and Ball Revolvers => Topic started by: Jim in Wisconsin on April 29, 2023, 09:11:35 PM
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Does anyone know if the original Remington 36 cal. Navy New Model revolvers had a smaller frame than the 44's? If so, how much smaller and where was it reduced? I would think not the grip part, that is already sort of little for most people's hands. I have a new Uberti navy and it has (or sure seems to have) the same frame as my old 44 Uberti.
I would like to think the reproductions are a copy of the originals, but maybe that's not the case.
Did the U.S. Navy actually buy 36 caliber revolvers or is that just a name that's applied to them? It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for them to buy a different size gun - actually what would the Navy use revolvers for anyway?
Just wondering on a cold, rainy day.
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Does anyone know if the original Remington 36 cal. Navy New Model revolvers had a smaller frame than the 44's? If so, how much smaller and where was it reduced? I would think not the grip part, that is already sort of little for most people's hands. I have a new Uberti navy and it has (or sure seems to have) the same frame as my old 44 Uberti.
I would like to think the reproductions are a copy of the originals, but maybe that's not the case.
Did the U.S. Navy actually buy 36 caliber revolvers or is that just a name that's applied to them? It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense for them to buy a different size gun - actually what would the Navy use revolvers for anyway?
Just wondering on a cold, rainy day.
Jim, this link gives an explanation of the reasoning behind Army and Navy Revolvers; (You'll have to scroll down to; Exploring the Weapons of the Army and Navy
https://www.rockislandauction.com/riac-blog/army-revolvers-vs-navy-revolvers
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Thanks Joe, some good information there.
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Agreed on the article, but it speaks to the Colt revolvers, where your original post asks about the Remingtons. Hopefully someone can come up with information about them also.
Thanks for the link, Joe. Another thing i have read, and I can't substantiate it, is that the Navy was named that because of the roll stamp on the cylinder depicting the naval battle of Campeche.
~Kees~
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I ordered two books -
Remington Army and Navy Revolvers by Donald L. Ware
Remington Handguns by Charles Lee Karr
Haven't gotten them yet but I think they are going to be helpful.
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Cool! After you have perused them and found out what the difference is, be sure to update this thread so we can all join you in knowledge!
~Kees~
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Those books are both real good, I've learned at least some stuff so far (summer projects get in the way).
It seems like the frame size difference has to do with the cylinder length. The opening in the frame has to fit that length.
A new model 44 has a 2 inch cylinder, and the 36 belt models are 1 7/8 long, but the navy (36 cal) regular models are 2 inches, so I think the frame for them would be the same as the 44.
The barrels for the 44 are 8 inches and the 36 cal. barrels are 7 3/8.
My Uberti 36 has these dimensions, so maybe they are fairly close to the originals.
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I just thought of another difference - the 36 cal. navys have a loading plunger of that diameter all the way back, which means that the hole in the frame is also small like that.
The Uberti navy has a plunger with the end turned down smaller but the rest is 44 size. I suppose that part of the frame isn't correct then.
I would love to have an original of each!
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Jim, all that takes is availability and money.
Good luck.
John (Bigsmoke)
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Once upon a time, the US Army ordered .44cal C&B revolvers.
When the US Navy ordered, .36cal was specified.
To differentiate them at a glance, the .36 Navy cylinders were engraved with a naval scene.
IIRC, the frames were all the same size, so the smaller bore made for a slightly heavier revolver due to the barrel thickness greater than the .44 barrels.
.
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The Remingtons didn't have any scenes on the cylinder, but the Colts did. Both the 36 and 44 Colts had pictures of some ships in battle. They're usually real faint and hard to make out.
According to the Remington book, a New Model Army (44) weighs 2 lbs 14 oz, and a New Model Navy (36) weighs 2 lbs 10 oz. The barrel is shorter on the 36.
The frames do seem to be the same size, except for that little area around the rammer (I think, but not sure).
The army bought a lot more 36 cal. revolvers than the navy did, but then the army bought a whole lot more revolvers anyway.
I don't know why I am so interested in the Remingtons, maybe just because the Colts are more popular and I like being different!
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I don't know why I am so interested in the Remingtons, maybe just because the Colts are more popular and I like being different!
Perhaps because the Remingtons have the top strap on the frame which would make them more rugged, plus having a place to mount a rear sight (instead of the notch in the hammer which the Colts have. Colt would have continued making their revolvers with the same frame if it wasn't a better design!
~Kees~
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I owned a New Model Army .44 years ago and it was one heckuva pistol. But I have never seen or read about a .36 model. They must be rare, and if so, would command a price up to the stratosphere.
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I've since learned that the 36 and 44 cylinders are both 2 inches long, but the 36 cylinder is smaller in diameter. This means that the cutout in the frame is smaller in height, making the entire frame a little smaller. The reproductions don't do this, unfortunately.
I've never seen an original 36, a nice one would be way to expensive for me! Some of them got converted to cartridge guns, which sort of spoils them, at least to me.