The History of Remington

Few names in the world of firearms carry the weight and legacy of Remington Arms. Founded in 1816 in Ilion Gulph, New York, Remington is America's oldest continuously operating firearms manufacturer — a title earned through more than two centuries of innovation, wartime service, and an unflinching commitment to quality. From the flintlock barrels forged by a young blacksmith's son to the modern polymer-stocked precision rifles trusted by hunters and law enforcement worldwide, the Remington story is inextricably woven into the fabric of American history. This article traces that remarkable journey: the vision of Eliphalet Remington, the wars that shaped the company, the iconic firearms that defined generations, and the challenges and reinventions that keep Remington relevant in the 21st century.

Founding: The Blacksmith's Son and a Barrel That Wouldn't Fail

The Remington story begins not in a factory, but at a forge. Eliphalet Remington II was born in 1793 in Suffield, Connecticut, and moved with his family to the Mohawk Valley of New York as a child. His father, Eliphalet Remington Sr., was a blacksmith and farmer who taught his son the trade. Young Eliphalet — known as "Lite" to friends and family — showed an early aptitude for metalwork and a particular interest in firearms.

In 1816, at the age of 23, Eliphalet II decided he wanted a rifle. Rather than buy one, he forged his own barrel at his father's forge in Ilion Gulph (later renamed Ilion). The story — which has become Remington legend — holds that he walked the finished barrel 15 miles to Utica to have it rifled by a professional gunsmith. The resulting rifle was so accurate and well-made that neighbors began asking him to build barrels for them. Word spread quickly: the Remington barrel was exceptionally straight, durable, and accurate.

By 1828, the operation had outgrown the family forge. Eliphalet purchased 100 acres of land along the Erie Canal in what would become Ilion, New York, and built a dedicated manufacturing facility. The Erie Canal location was strategic — it provided cheap, reliable transportation for raw materials and finished goods to markets across the growing nation. The company was formally named E. Remington and Sons in 1839, reflecting the growing involvement of Eliphalet's three sons: Philo, Samuel, and Eliphalet III.

Year	Milestone
1816	Eliphalet Remington II forges his first rifle barrel in Ilion Gulph, NY
1828	First dedicated factory built along the Erie Canal in Ilion
1839	Company formally incorporated as E. Remington and Sons
1845	First major US government contract — Jenks carbines for the Navy
1861	Eliphalet Remington II dies; sons take full control

The Early Years: From Flintlocks to Government Contracts

Remington's early decades were defined by steady growth and a reputation for quality that outpaced its competitors. The company initially produced flintlock rifles and shotguns, primarily for civilian hunters and sportsmen. But Remington's barrels stood out — they were known for their uniform bore, consistent rifling, and exceptional accuracy. In an era when many firearms were still hand-fitted by local gunsmiths with varying levels of skill, a Remington barrel was a guarantee of quality.

The 1840s brought Remington's first major technological leap: the transition from flintlock to percussion cap ignition. Remington was an early adopter, and the company's percussion rifles and shotguns quickly gained a following. The percussion system was more reliable in wet weather and faster to load — critical advantages for hunters and frontiersmen pushing westward.

In 1845, Remington secured its first US government contract — an order for Jenks percussion carbines for the United States Navy. This was a watershed moment. The military contract validated Remington's quality at the national level and opened the door to decades of government business that would sustain the company through war and peace. The Jenks carbine was a breech-loading percussion firearm, innovative for its time, and Remington's execution of the contract cemented its reputation as a reliable military supplier.

The 1850s saw Remington expand its product line significantly. The company introduced revolving rifles, double-barrel shotguns, and a growing catalog of pistols. By the eve of the Civil War, E. Remington and Sons was one of the largest arms manufacturers in the United States, employing hundreds of workers in Ilion.

Key Historical Milestones: Wars, Innovation, and Transformation

The Civil War and the Remington Revolver (1861–1865)

When the American Civil War erupted in 1861, Remington was positioned to play a pivotal role. That same year, Eliphalet Remington II died at the age of 67, leaving the company in the hands of his sons. Under their leadership, Remington ramped up production to meet wartime demand, producing tens of thousands of rifles, carbines, and revolvers for the Union Army.

The standout firearm of this era was the Remington New Model Army Revolver (also known as the 1858 Remington). While Colt's revolvers are more famous today, many Civil War soldiers and officers preferred the Remington. Its solid top strap design — a metal frame that enclosed the cylinder entirely — made it stronger and more durable than the open-top Colt design. The Remington could also be reloaded faster by swapping out a pre-loaded cylinder. Over 130,000 units were produced during the war. Buffalo Bill Cody himself carried a Remington revolver and praised its reliability.

Feature	Remington New Model Army	Colt 1860 Army
Frame design	Solid top strap (stronger)	Open-top (weaker)
Cylinder removal	Quick-release pin	Wedge and barrel removal
Caliber	.44 percussion	.44 percussion
Wartime production	~130,000	~200,000
Notable users	Buffalo Bill Cody	Wild Bill Hickok

The Rolling Block Era (1866–1900)

After the Civil War, Remington introduced what would become its most significant 19th-century firearm: the Remington Rolling Block. Patented in 1866, the Rolling Block was a single-shot breech-loading rifle with an incredibly simple, strong, and reliable action. The breechblock literally "rolled" back to expose the chamber, and a hammer locked it in place when fired. It was so robust that it could handle cartridges that would destroy lesser actions.

The Rolling Block became a global phenomenon. It was adopted by over 40 countries, including the United States, Spain, Egypt, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and virtually every Latin American nation. Remington produced Rolling Block rifles in dozens of calibers — from .22 rimfire trainers to massive .50-70 Government hunting rifles capable of dropping a buffalo at 500 yards. By the time production ended in the early 20th century, over 1.5 million Rolling Block rifles had been manufactured, making it one of the most widely distributed firearms in history.

World War I and the Mosin-Nagant (1914–1918)

When World War I began, Remington faced an unusual challenge. The Russian Empire, desperate for rifles, placed an enormous order for 1.5 million Mosin-Nagant M1891 rifles. Remington retooled its Ilion factory to produce the Russian-designed rifle and began churning them out. However, the Russian Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Tsarist government, and the new Bolshevik regime defaulted on the contract. Remington was left with hundreds of thousands of rifles and no buyer — a financial disaster that nearly destroyed the company.

The US government eventually purchased the remaining rifles to keep Remington afloat, and many of these "U.S. Mosin-Nagants" were used as training rifles or sent to allied forces. The episode taught Remington a harsh lesson about geopolitical risk — and reinforced the importance of a diversified customer base.

Iconic Firearms: The Guns That Built the Legend

Remington Model 870 — The Wingmaster (1950–Present)

Introduced in 1950, the Remington 870 Wingmaster is the best-selling shotgun in history with over 11 million units produced. It was designed as a successor to the legendary Model 31, but with a key innovation: a receiver milled from a solid block of steel rather than forged and machined. This made the 870 cheaper to produce without sacrificing durability — and it has proven to be virtually indestructible.

The 870's twin action bars ensure smooth, bind-free cycling, and its modular design allows it to be configured for hunting, home defense, law enforcement, and military use. The 870 is the standard-issue shotgun for countless police departments and has seen combat with the US military from Vietnam to Iraq. Its adaptability — from bird hunting with a 28-inch barrel to tactical entry with a 14-inch barrel — has made it the Swiss Army knife of shotguns.

Remington Model 700 — The Rifleman's Rifle (1962–Present)

Introduced in 1962, the Remington Model 700 is arguably the most influential bolt-action rifle ever designed. Its "three rings of steel" design — where the bolt face, barrel, and receiver encircle the cartridge — became the benchmark for bolt-action safety and accuracy. The Model 700's cylindrical receiver, simple trigger mechanism, and exceptional out-of-the-box accuracy made it an instant success.

The Model 700 spawned an entire ecosystem of variants: the lightweight Model 7, the heavy-barrel Varmint Special, the tactical M24 Sniper Weapon System (the US Army's standard sniper rifle from 1988 to 2010), and the US Marine Corps' M40 series. To date, over 5 million Model 700 rifles have been produced. It remains the most popular bolt-action platform for custom rifle builders, and its footprint in competitive shooting, hunting, and military service is unmatched.

Remington 1911 R1 — Honoring a Classic (2010–Present)

Remington's relationship with the 1911 pistol runs deep. During World War I, Remington's UMC division produced thousands of 1911s under contract. In 2010, Remington reintroduced the 1911 with the 1911 R1 — a faithful reproduction of the classic GI model with modern manufacturing precision. The R1 series has since expanded to include enhanced models with match-grade barrels, fiber-optic sights, and custom finishes, proving that Remington can honor tradition while embracing modern demands.

Legacy and Modern Era: Bankruptcy, Resurrection, and Reinvention

Remington's story took a difficult turn in the 21st century. Years of private equity ownership, quality-control issues (most notably the Model 700 trigger controversy), and mounting debt led to the unthinkable: Remington filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 and again in 2020. The second bankruptcy resulted in the company being broken apart and sold at auction. The Remington brand and its ammunition business went to Vista Outdoor, while the firearms division was acquired by the Roundhill Group.

Under Roundhill, RemArms was formed to focus exclusively on Remington firearms. Production resumed in Ilion, New York — a symbolic return to the company's birthplace — before moving to a new, modern facility in LaGrange, Georgia in 2023. The move marked a fresh start: new machinery, streamlined production, and a renewed focus on the quality that built the Remington name.

Today, Remington continues to produce the Model 870 and Model 700, along with the RP series pistols and a growing line of ammunition. The company that survived two world wars, a Russian default, and double bankruptcy endures — because the name Remington still means something to the people who carry it into the field.

MatchMyGun Verdict

Remington is not just a firearms manufacturer — it is an American institution. From Eliphalet Remington's first hand-forged barrel in 1816 to the Model 870s and 700s still rolling off the line today, the company has shaped how Americans hunt, compete, and defend themselves for over 200 years. Its legacy includes the single most popular shotgun and bolt-action rifle ever made, and its influence on firearm design — from the solid-top-frame revolver to the "three rings of steel" — is permanent. Despite financial turbulence in recent decades, Remington has proven remarkably resilient. For anyone building a firearms collection, whether for hunting, sport, or heritage, Remington firearms belong in the conversation — and very likely, in the safe.

Few companies in any industry can claim two centuries of continuous relevance. Remington can. Its story is one of craftsmanship, adaptation, and sheer survival — a uniquely American saga written in steel and walnut, forged in the fires of war and peace alike.