Remington Firearms: 200 Years of Guns

Online   Sep 25, 2024

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Remington Firearms has a rich history that dates back to 1816. Founded by Eliphalet Remington in Ilion, New York, the company started as a small gunsmith shop. In the early years of the 1800's Eliphalet Remington created his first rifle barrel and had a local gunsmith in Utica craft it into a flintlock rifle. This creation laid the foundation for E. Remington and Sons in 1839, the start of a legacy. Eliphalet's barrel making moved to the Erie Canal where the present factory remains 200 years later. In 1845 Eliphalet and the US Army Ordnance Department negotiated a contract to manufacture 5,000 Model 1841, "Mississippi" rifles, and later 1,000 loading carbines for the government. The Mississippi rifle was a single shot percussion rifle bored to .58 caliber, equipped with a brass blade front sight and a V rear notch sight. As the Civil War began to erupt Remington became a major supplier of firearms, producing rifles and pistols for Union soldiers. The Remington 1861 Zouave rifle was particularly notable at this time along with .36 and .44 caliber rifles. 

The end of the Civil War brought a whole new life to the company. Diversifying its product line to introduct revolvers and shotguns they became known for innovations like the rolling block rifle. The vast Armory began making firearms for civilian hunters, early target shooters, and settlers moving to the wild west. In the early 1900s, Remington became synonymous with quality firearms. In 1906 Remington produced a John Browning designed autoloading shotgun named the Model 11, the company sold over 850,000 of these shotguns. They also introduced the Model 8 a high powered autoloading hunting rifes, of which they produced and sold 69,000. During both World Wars, Remington produced a variety of military firearms, including the M1911 pistol and the M1903 Springfield rifle. By the end of both World Wars, Remington had supplied over half of the small arms ammunition the Allies used, manufactured hundreds of thousands of rifles for World War II, and made millions of parts for other gun makers. In 1921 Remington revolutionized the shotshell industry creating the first "Game Load" shotgun shell which replaced load varieties. Following this development Remington created Kleanbore primers reducing fouling, rust, pitting, and corrosion.

Remington expanded into sporting firearms, introducing popular shotgun and rifle models, and further enhancing its brand following World War II. In 1950 Remington developed the Model 870, a pump-action shotgun that was named the "Wingmaster." This shotgun, having sold over 10 million to date has become the largest selling shotgun in history. It was modern for its time, reliable in construction, and relatively inexpensive for guns of it's kind at the time. The introduction of the iconic Remington Model 700 bolt-action rifle solidified Remingtons reputation. In 1962 Remington revealed its bolt action rifle for hunters and military personnel alike. Known for its accuracy and precision much like their other guns the exceptional versatility was really what won consumers. Being offered in numerous calibers and configurations it was able to keep up with target shooters, hunters, and law enforcement. The smooth bolt action and solid reciever design also contributed to its reliability and performance.

Throughout its history, Remington has been at the forefront of technological advancements, from early muzzleloaders to modern sporting rifles. The brand has not only shaped the landscape of American firearms but also influenced hunting traditions and shooting sports. Despite facing challenges, its enduring reputation and commitment to quality continue to resonate with generations of gun owners and enthusiasts. The original plant in Ilion, New York, was established in the early 1800s and expanded as production demands grew. In the 1940s and 1950s, additional facilities were opened, including a major plant in Arkansas, which became a key manufacturing hub for shotguns and rifles. Remington also invested in modernization and efficiency upgrades across its plants, adapting to new technologies and production methods. As of now, Remington Firearms primarily operates its manufacturing at the Lonoke, Arkansas facility, which produces shotguns and rifles. The Ilion, New York plant has seen significant reductions in production capacity and is not currently operating at its former levels. The company has focused on streamlining operations to enhance efficiency and adapt to market demands. This consolidation reflects recent challenges in the firearms industry, emphasizing the importance of the Lonoke plant in Remington's ongoing manufacturing efforts.