Antique Remington 38rf Conversion Question

[BMur]

I just picked this up. I like the history of the conversion revolver. I have a few of the new model 38 rimfire five shot conversion revolvers with conversion plates on the back of the cylinder and still having a loading lever that serves no purpose. Proven to be factory work.
However, I have never seen a six shot new navy model on the large frame being the long or 38 long cylinder with a conversion plate. I was wondering if anyone has ever seen one of these before. It’s a very late serial number with iron trigger guard and a factory ejector that also makes no sense since the cylinder must be removed in order to be reloaded.
Remington antique conversions are often very odd. No question about that but it’s this conversion plate on the large frame that I’ve never seen before. The action is actually quite good with tight lockup.
Seems like there are several types of conversions on this larger frame. All of them are odd but very interesting to me.
Any ideas?
Thanks,

Murph

 

[gregintenn]

Mine has a much different design. I've not been able to locate much information on these revolvers. You can find out what Sam Colt ate for dinner on a particular day, but it doesn't seem like anyone cared to document much about Remington handguns.

 

[Thuer]

I do think that the workmanship on the cilinder and plate is a bit crude. It could be a odinairy blacksmith job.Also the ejectorrod dous make no sence. Probbebly is the cilinder replaced. I do have a book about the Remington Conversions. It is very late now. I will look into it tomorrow. Now I gonna have a fresh beer.

 

[BMur]

Variations

Gregintenn,
That’s a nice one. Notice that my cylinder has the same machine work on the back of the cylinder but no loading gate on the recoil shield?

I’ve done some research on these and the conversions are found often much different regarding the machine work on the cylinder and frame. Some don’t have an ejector, some do. Some don’t have a loading gate, some do. Some don’t have safety notches on the cylinder and why ours have notches above each chamber is beyond me! Makes no mechanical sense at all.

Plus the loading lever for percussion balls? Why leave that on the barrel? You can’t re-install a percussion cylinder after it’s converted to cartridge. So it’s basically useless. Really, it’s in the way and could jam the cylinder if it came loose.

So, it’s all odd stuff. If this was done by a blacksmith, ( the conversion plate?) why not remove the ejector? It’s only in the way now. Serves no purpose. Follows suit with a Remington type conversion though. Leaving parts on the gun that do nothing?

I personally think that a lot of these were thrown together just prior to or during the Companies Bankruptcy proceedings that started in 1886. Likely trying to sell them quickly to pay off creditors?

Murph

 

[Muley Gil]

The loading lever holds the center pin in place.

 

[Velle]

I never saw one like that. I believe that style of plate would allow use of the original percussion cylinder tho.

 

[gregintenn]

The ivory grips are what turned me on to the one I have.

I figure Remington just didn’t want to waste inventory they didn’t have to waste.

You would think they’d have devised a standardized way of making the conversions, however. Perhaps they improved their method as time went on. Yours may be the equivalent to an iPhone 5 and mine an iPhone 7.

Of course the other theory is that every corner blacksmith shop and gunsmith offered a similar conversion.

 

[gregintenn]

I do think that the workmanship on the cilinder and plate is a bit crude. It could be a odinairy blacksmith job.Also the ejectorrod dous make no sence. Probbebly is the cilinder replaced. I do have a book about the Remington Conversions. It is very late now. I will look into it tomorrow. Now I gonna have a fresh beer.

LOL!
When you get sobered up, I'd like to hear more about this book. I wasn't aware such a thing existed.

 

[gregintenn]

I bought some ammo for mine from a member here on the forum. I suspect it is nearly old as the revolver, so I’ll just keep it for decoration. It would be nice if somebody would make a run of 38 long rimfire. You and I and probably two more people would buy some.