Additional Historical Context
The saga of the Remington Arms Company, one of the oldest and most renowned gun manufacturers in the world, began in 1816 when a young blacksmith named Eliphalet Remington II decided that he could build a better gun than he could buy. And so, in the upstate wilderness of Ilion, New York, Remington Arms was born.
Eliphalet's first firearm was a flintlock rifle, a popular weapon of the period, famed for its accuracy and range. Though modest, the success of this rifle at a local shooting match prompted others to place orders, leading to the establishment of the E. Remington and Sons company. In 1845, Remington started production of their percussion-cap rifle, a revolutionary technology that greatly improved the reliability of firearms.
The demand for Remington Arms firearms significantly grew during the Civil War. In 1862, the company received its first big military contract to produce 10,000 "New Model Army" .44 caliber revolvers. This single-action six-shot revolver, using a .44 caliber cartridge, was a powerful and reliable sidearm and was widely used by the Union army.
In the post-war years, Remington Arms made its mark with two notable rifles: the Rolling Block and the Remington No. 1. Introduced in 1865, the Rolling Block rifle was a breech-loading gun known for its strength, reliability, and accuracy. This firearm, chambering various cartridges from .22 to .50 caliber, gained popularity not only in the United States but also around the world, being adopted by several nations' military and winning numerous shooting competitions.
The Remington No. 1, also known as the Remington Creedmoor, was a target rifle introduced in 1873, specifically designed for the new sport of long-range target shooting. Chambered for the .45-70 Government cartridge, the Creedmoor was praised for its extreme accuracy, playing a crucial role in winning the international long-range match at the Creedmoor Shooting Range in 1874.
In 1888, Marcellus Hartley and partners acquired E. Remington and Sons, reorganizing it into the Remington Arms Company. The company continued to innovate, producing firearms like the Model 8 semi-automatic rifle, the brainchild of legendary firearms designer John Browning. Introduced in 1906, the Model 8 was chambered for a variety of cartridges, including .25, .30, .32, and .35 Remington, and was notably used by law enforcement agencies and hunters.
During World War I, Remington played a vital role in arming the U.S. and its allies. The company's most significant contribution was the production of the Model 1917 bolt-action rifle. Adapted from a British design (Pattern 14 Enfield), the Model 1917 was chambered for the .30-06 Springfield cartridge and became one of the main service rifles of American soldiers during the war.
Following the war, Remington introduced several popular firearms. The Model 31 pump-action shotgun was one, gaining a reputation as one of the finest slide-action shotguns ever created. Another was the Model 720, a bolt-action sporting rifle based on the Model 1917 and chambered for the .30-06 Springfield, praised for its accuracy and reliability.
However, it was the Model 700 bolt-action rifle, released in
1962 and chambered in a broad array of cartridges, that would become Remington's flagship product. Its excellent accuracy and affordability helped it become one of the most popular hunting rifles in America.
During World War II, Remington produced the Model 1903A3, a variant of the Springfield Model 1903 bolt-action rifle, chambered for .30-06 Springfield. They also manufactured the M1911 pistol, a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol originally designed by John Browning, which was widely used by U.S. forces during both world wars.
Post-WWII, Remington introduced the Model 870 pump-action shotgun in 1950, which became one of the best-selling shotguns in history. Its versatility, reliability, and affordability made it popular among hunters, law enforcement, and home defense enthusiasts.
In 2010, Remington introduced the R15, a semi-automatic rifle inspired by the AR-15 platform, chambered for cartridges like .223 Remington and .450 Bushmaster. This demonstrated Remington's adaptability to the burgeoning market for modern sporting rifles.
However, the company has faced several challenges in recent years, including bankruptcy proceedings and controversies surrounding the misuse of their firearms. Regardless, the legacy of the Remington Arms Company persists, as does their commitment to manufacturing firearms for sport, law enforcement, and defense.
In conclusion, Remington's history is marked by continuous innovation, adaptation, and the consistent production of iconic, reliable, and high-performing firearms. From its humble beginnings in Ilion, New York, to its prominent position on the global stage, the Remington Arms Company has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of firearms and continues to shape its future.
If you know of any forums or sites that should be referenced on this listing, please let us know here.
Origins and Early Years (1816–1856)
The history of Remington Arms, one of the oldest and most prestigious firearm manufacturers in the world, began in 1816 with a determined young blacksmith named Eliphalet Remington II. Working in his father’s forge in Litchfield, New York, Remington crafted a flintlock rifle barrel, which he later had fitted with a lock and stock. The firearm’s exceptional performance at a local shooting match quickly attracted attention, leading to requests for more barrels and laying the foundation for what would become E. Remington & Sons.
By the 1820s, Remington had transitioned from custom gun making to large-scale barrel manufacturing. With the Erie Canal’s completion in 1825, Ilion, New York, emerged as a more strategic location, and the company eventually relocated there. By 1845, Remington expanded beyond barrels and began producing complete firearms, including the highly regarded Remington percussion rifles, which gained a reputation for reliability and precision.
Civil War and Post-War Expansion (1856–1888)
In 1856, Eliphalet’s three sons—Philo, Samuel, and Eliphalet III—joined the business, officially renaming it E. Remington & Sons. During the American Civil War, Remington was a critical arms supplier to the Union Army. One of its most significant contributions was the Remington New Model Army Revolver, a .44-caliber, six-shot, single-action percussion revolver. Between 1862 and 1865, Remington produced over 132,000 of these revolvers for the U.S. government, making it one of the most widely issued sidearms of the war (Flayderman, 2007, Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms).
Following the war, Remington solidified its reputation with the Rolling Block Rifle, designed by Joseph Rider in 1866. This robust, single-shot, breech-loading rifle became one of the most successful firearm designs of the 19th century, being widely adopted by militaries in Europe and South America. Chambered for a variety of cartridges, from .22 rimfire to .50-70 Government, the Rolling Block was praised for its strength, simplicity, and ease of use (Houze, 2011, Remington: America's Oldest Gunmaker).
In 1873, Remington introduced the Remington Creedmoor No. 1, a long-range target rifle chambered in .44-77 and .45-70 Government, designed to meet the growing demand for precision shooting. At the 1874 Creedmoor International Long-Range Match, American shooters using Remington and Sharps rifles defeated the Irish team, cementing the rifle’s legendary status in competitive shooting circles.
Turn of the Century and World War I (1888–1918)
In 1888, financial difficulties led Marcellus Hartley, owner of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company (UMC), to acquire E. Remington & Sons, reorganizing it as Remington Arms Company. This move integrated ammunition production with firearm manufacturing, a strategy that would prove crucial during wartime.
Among Remington Arm’s most innovative early 20th-century designs was the Model 8, a semi-automatic rifle introduced in 1906. Designed by John Browning, the Model 8 was the first successful semi-automatic rifle in the United States, available in calibers such as .25, .30, .32, and .35 Remington. Notably, Texas Ranger Frank Hamer used a modified Model 8 during the ambush of outlaws Bonnie and Clyde in 1934 (Ball, 2012, Winchester and Remington: Pioneers of American Firearms).
During World War I, Remington Arms was central to U.S. and Allied armament. The Model 1917 Enfield, adapted from the British Pattern 1914 rifle, was chambered in .30-06 Springfield and ultimately became the most widely issued rifle to American forces during the war, with over 2.2 million produced (Hatcher, 1947, Hatcher’s Notebook).
Interwar Years and World War II (1918–1945)
After the war, Remington Arms focused on civilian firearms. Notable models included:
- Model 31 Pump-Action Shotgun (1931) – A high-quality competitor to the Winchester Model 12.
- Model 720 Bolt-Action Rifle (1941) – A sporting rifle derived from the military Model 1917.
During World War II, Remington Arms was a primary supplier of military arms, producing:
- 1903A3 Springfield Rifles – A wartime variant of the M1903 with simplified production features.
- M1911 Pistols – A contract-run of John Browning’s legendary .45 ACP pistol.
- M1 Carbines – Mass-produced lightweight semi-automatic rifles issued to U.S. troops.
Postwar Era and Rise of Iconic Firearms (1945–2000)
In 1950, Remington Arms introduced what would become the most successful pump-action shotgun in history—the Model 870 Wingmaster. With over 11 million units sold, the Model 870 became the go-to shotgun for hunters, law enforcement, and home defense.
The Remington Model 700, introduced in 1962, revolutionized the bolt-action rifle market. Engineered by Mike Walker, the Model 700’s advanced trigger mechanism and chamber tolerances made it a favorite among hunters and law enforcement snipers alike. The rifle’s legendary accuracy led to the development of Remington Arms' military variants like the M24 Sniper Weapon System, used by the U.S. Army (Poyer, 2007, The Model 700 Handbook).
Modern Era and Challenges (2000–2023)
In the 21st century, Remington Arms adapted to evolving market demands, introducing tactical and semi-automatic platforms such as:
- Remington R-15 (2008) – A modern sporting rifle based on the AR-15 platform.
- Remington Versa Max (2010) – A gas-operated semi-auto shotgun designed for versatility.
However, financial troubles plagued Remington Arms. Remington Arms Company filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and again in 2020, ultimately leading to its division and sale. Major assets were acquired by various entities:
- Ruger acquired Marlin Firearms.
- Vista Outdoor purchased Remington Ammunition.
- Roundhill Group took over the Remington firearms division.
Despite these challenges, Remington Arm’s legacy remains formidable, with its firearms still widely used in hunting, law enforcement, and military applications worldwide.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings in a small blacksmith forge to becoming a global leader in firearm innovation, Remington Arms has profoundly shaped the landscape of American and global firearms history. Pioneering designs like the Rolling Block, Model 8, Model 700, and Model 870 have secured its place as an industry titan. While financial difficulties have led to restructuring, the Remington name endures, synonymous with precision, reliability, and heritage—a reflection of over 200 years of firearms excellence.
References:
Poyer, Joe. The Model 700 Handbook. North Cape Publications, 2007.
Ball, Robert. Winchester and Remington: Pioneers of American Firearms. Gun Digest, 2012.
Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms. 9th ed., Krause Publications, 2007.
Hatcher, Julian. Hatcher’s Notebook. Stackpole Books, 1947.
Houze, Herbert. Remington: America’s Oldest Gunmaker. Chartwell Books, 2011.
Check out their company website here.
If you know of any forums or sites that should be referenced on this listing, please let us know here.
