In 1857 The firm of E. Remington & Sons introduced their first percussion revolver, the Remington-Beals Pocket revolver. This was the invention of Remington employee Fordyce Beals. Beals had been acquired from Ames, as had production machinery, as part of the negotiated arrangement between Remington and Ames. In 1856, Beals patented the features that were salient to his new Remington revolver, and in 1858 patented the cylinder pin and loading lever system that would define the profile of all the large-frame Remington handguns through the 1880s. Beals’ 1858 patent covered the winged cylinder arbor pin that secured the cylinder to the frame, which was retained by the loading lever located under the barrel, and could be withdrawn from the frame when the lever was lowered. Thus began the evolution of the second most used US marital revolver of the American Civil War.

The first guns were produced in .36 caliber and production started to roll off the assembly line during late 1860 or early 1861. The .36 caliber “Navy” revolver was followed by a .44 caliber “Army” variant soon thereafter. By the time Beals-Navy production ended in 1862, some 15,000 of the handguns had been produced. Of those 15,000 Beals Navy revolvers, several thousand were acquired by the US Ordnance Department, but primarily on the secondary commercial market and not directly from Remington. The total US procurement of the revolvers was around 11,750, or about 78% of the total production of the Beals guns. As these guns were not part of a government contract they were not marked or inspected in any way, making it impossible to differentiate between those that were US purchases and those that were not.

The Beals Navy Revolver was Remington’s first large frame, martial handgun to make it into production. It was a single action, 6-shot revolver with a nominally 7" octagonal barrel that was screwed into the solid frame. The guns were blued throughout, with brass triggerguards and a color casehardened hammer. The gun had two-piece smooth walnut grips, secured by a screw that passed through German silver escutcheons and a cone shaped German silver front sight was dovetailed into the top of the barrel near the muzzle.

The Model 1858 Beals was subsequently updated and evolved into the Model 1861 and 1863 revolvers.

This Remington-Beals is an earlier production model with serial number 2507. I'm unclear as to when exactly that would place the exact manufacture date. The serial number is partially worn off the bottom of the barrel but is clear on the trigger guard. The second line of Beals patent stamping is similarly worn but readable. The pistol functions perfectly though. There are 3 "notches" or grooves carved into the right handgrip but I have no idea what they symbolize or are for.

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There are 3 "notches" or grooves carved into the right handgrip but I have no idea what they symbolize or are for.

It’s possible the notches represent people shot by the revolvers owner. Or maybe some personalization.

I guess it could be although I always thought notches to designate kills were more of a Hollywood western than reality. I could be wrong.

I don't see that they would do anything to help with the grip. You can't feel them when holding this revolver.