1858 Remington Army 44 question

SamHouston · December 24, 2007, 05:44 PM

Could anyone tell me what might be missing from the handle of this gun? It appears to be a place for a medallion installed in the grip.

Hawg · December 24, 2007, 06:07 PM

It was something somebody had done. It didn't come with one

SamHouston · December 24, 2007, 06:17 PM

The gun was used in the Civil War and came from Tennessee. Did soldiers install anything to show their home state, regiment or would you guess it came years after?

Hawg · December 26, 2007, 10:00 AM

Who knows? Those guys had a lot of idle time especially during winter months and a lot of them came up with different ways to combat boredom. I've seen some really artful carvings and such so who's to say the owner didn't personalize it. Just one of those things you'll probably never know. If the gun was used by an infrantryman it was most likely shipped home after a few weeks of carrying it around. Most pistols issued to infantry were either shipped home or discarded by the roadside. A cavalryman might personalize a favored pistol because they were usually fired till empty and discarded to be retrieved later if possible.

SamHouston · December 26, 2007, 01:41 PM

Thanks Hawg, I guess I'll never know. Would be interesting to know the story

December 24, 2007, 06:07 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	It was something somebody had done. It didn't come with one

December 24, 2007, 06:17 PM	#3
SamHouston Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2007 Location: DFW Posts: 247	The gun was used in the Civil War and came from Tennessee. Did soldiers install anything to show their home state, regiment or would you guess it came years after?

December 26, 2007, 10:00 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Who knows? Those guys had a lot of idle time especially during winter months and a lot of them came up with different ways to combat boredom. I've seen some really artful carvings and such so who's to say the owner didn't personalize it. Just one of those things you'll probably never know. If the gun was used by an infrantryman it was most likely shipped home after a few weeks of carrying it around. Most pistols issued to infantry were either shipped home or discarded by the roadside. A cavalryman might personalize a favored pistol because they were usually fired till empty and discarded to be retrieved later if possible.

December 26, 2007, 01:41 PM	#5
SamHouston Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2007 Location: DFW Posts: 247	Thanks Hawg, I guess I'll never know. Would be interesting to know the story