As Mykeal pointed out,
Flayderman's is a good place to start and is probably the most easily accessed. Many sections are available via google books.
http://books.google.com/books?id=7py...5e-006&f=false
However, if you really want to explore the evolution of the percussion Remington handguns, may I suggest Donald Ware's excellent work
Remington Army and Navy Revolvers 1861-1888 available from amazon among other places.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Remington-Ar...vers+1861-1888
According to his research, the gun with serial 17041 would have been made in
March 1863 and serial 24160 in May 1863. Both are rather early New Models and should exhibit all the characteristic features of the fully evolved new model except for a dovetailed brass/german silver front sight, rather than a pinched steel version. Is that correct?
Best of luck in your project. I'd love to see the results (and any other pics of the process)
I hope this helps,
Dan