Remington 1890: A Half-Hearted Attempt to Dethrone the Colt SAA

Published on October 17, 2022
Duration: 8:01

This entry details the Remington Model 1890, a single-action revolver that attempted to compete with the Colt Single Action Army. It covers the historical context of its development, its technical specifications, and its commercial failure due to market shifts and Colt's dominance. The information is presented with high authority by firearms expert Ian McCollum.

Quick Summary

The Remington Model 1890 was a single-action revolver intended to rival the Colt Single Action Army. Based on the Remington Model 1875, it featured a .44-40 caliber and was offered in blued or nickel finishes. Despite design modifications to mimic the Colt, it achieved limited success due to market preference for double-action revolvers and Colt's established dominance, with only 2,020 units produced.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Remington 1890
  2. 00:40Remington's Financial Reorganization
  3. 01:41The Model 1888 and 1890 Genesis
  4. 02:41Visual and Mechanical Comparison
  5. 03:51Technical Specifications and Markings
  6. 04:31Caliber Choice and Operation
  7. 05:28Commercial Failure
  8. 06:41Winchester vs. Colt Rivalry

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Remington Model 1890?

The Remington Model 1890 was a single-action revolver produced by Remington Arms Company, designed as a competitor to the highly successful Colt Single Action Army. It was an evolution of the earlier Remington Model 1875, with modifications to its appearance to better match the Colt's profile.

Why did the Remington Model 1890 fail in the market?

The Remington Model 1890 faced significant challenges, including the overwhelming dominance of the Colt Single Action Army and a market shift towards more modern double-action revolvers. Its production run was short, with only 2,020 units made.

What caliber was the Remington Model 1890 chambered in?

The Remington Model 1890 was chambered in .44-40 Winchester, also marked as '.44 C.F.W.' (Center Fire Winchester). This caliber choice was partly influenced by corporate interests tied to the Union Metallic Cartridge company.

How did the Remington Model 1890 differ from the Colt Single Action Army?

While the Remington Model 1890 was designed to resemble the Colt Single Action Army, it was based on the Remington Model 1875 frame and featured a modified ejector support. Internally, the frames and mechanisms were largely identical to the 1875 model, differing from the Colt's distinct design.

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