Nice comparasion of the Beals vs New Model Army. It doesn't really bother me that the repros are called "1858 Remington's", some of them don't really qualify as a Beal's or a NMA anyway, since they contain a mixture of features.
True, the little inaccuracies in overall design are another one of my pet hates. A modern remake can come real close to an original without being an all-out counterfeit (I'm thinking Colt Black Powder Series.)
That said, if we are forsaking modern technology for a more primitive technology, I prefer to preserve the correct nomenclature of the period as well.
For example, when using my 1850's era Colt pistols, I never call it an "1851 Navy" or "1849 pocket" etc. Instead, I will say
* .44 - Colt's Dragoon Pistol, Dragoon Repeating Pistol, Dragoon Revolving Pistol, Colt's Saddle Pistol, Colt "Battery"
* .36 - Colt's Navy Pistol, Colt's Belt Revolver, Navy Repeating Pistol, "Navy Six"[/li][/list]
* .31 (.28) - Colt's Pocket Pistol, Colt's Pocket Revolver[/li][/list]
Just because I feel this way doesn't mean I expect others to do so as well but many folks out there hold the same opine and this is just a nod to the purists of period vernacular.
Thanks
-Dave