Hello all, I really need some help with a Rolling block rifle I came into posesion of recently. Let me preface this by saying the previous owner (g.g.grandfather) is long since deceased and therefore my primary source of information is gone.

1. Sharps Rifle

Dec 10, 2005  From your description, it pretty much has to be a No. 4 Rolling Block Rifle. This was the only Remington Rolling Block with full octogon barrel in a 22 inch (actually 22 1/2') barrel length. It was made in.22 S,L,LR caliber,.25 Stevens, and.32 Short or Long RF. Remington was established just after the War of 1812 by Eliphalet Remington II. The first model produced under his name was a flintlock rifle. There had been many earlier flintlock rifles produced, but Remington far exceeded the shooting ability of many. The company then followed with the breech loading and rolling block carbines and rifles. The #1 Remington rolling block rifle is also known as the black powder cartridge rifle. Produced by Remington in both military and civilian models from 1866 to 1895 these large frame rolling block production totaled well over 1 million rifles with a number of variations. Illustrated here are examples of the common variations.

No one seems to know where it came from, what type of gun it is, and what caliber it is. From what I could figure out through online research this rifle is in fact a Remington rolling block (or something similar), it has a 3 line patent stamp on the tang which someone said was done by Remington. The problem I have it that I want to shoot this rifle and don't know what caliber it is. A member over at Surplus Rifle said these guns were 'the AK47 of the 19th century', I dont think this helps me. Here is the rifle, it is in really good condition with a little surface rust in places, I managed to remove most of it after the pictures. The rifling is very strong as well which leads me to believe it was not used very often. Here is a close up of one side of the action, in my reading I found that different models had different hammers.

Unfortunately, I cannot tell the difference. Here is one side of the sight, it appears to have a graduation of 100 to 400 yards or meters and then when it is flipped up it goes from 500 to 11000. On the middle barrel band it has a 'U' stamped into the metal. In reading some descriptions of the rifle some said that it denoted the rifle wasn't made with a handguard while others say it means the opening in the 'U' is used to ensure the band is placed on the right way. These are the only other markings on the gun aside from the patent stamping and the 'U' on the barrel band. They are under the wood near the reciever.

(Those are my legs, Im heading this one off at the pass) This is the front sight and portion of the rifle. There is a bayonet lug on the other side of the barrel.

Any information would be appreciated and if there is anything else I could look for on the gun to help you guys determine what it is please tell me to look. I thank you all for any help you could give. There should be a marking on the left side of the barrel indicating the actual caliber.

At least that is the more-or- less normal position. From thephotos you have a fairly standard Remington Rolling Block military rifle. These were made in a wide number of calibers. Some of the most common ones are the various New England state Militia models, New York, and others, in 50-70.

Some Danish and Swedish were originally made in a 12.7 x 44 rimfire then converted to Center fire and later to 8mm Krag in Denmark, various sporting rounds in Sweden., Foreign sales included.43 Spanish.43 Egyptian, various Russian rounds including 7.62x54r,.43 Turkish and a number of other rimmed rounds. There are even a number of U.S. State Militia models made in.45-70 or.45 government. If there is no caliber marking on the left side of the barrel near the receiver, you need to slug the barrel. By using a lead slug driven down the bore to get the groove diameter and use pin gages to determine the bore diameter. You may also have to make a chamber cast to determine the actual cartridge as several are very similar.

Some left side photos would help. By the way, the 'U' is to insure the bands are assembled correctly as the barrel and the bands are tapered. Engineer 179. I have an 1871 Remington Rolling Block that originally belonged to the 74th Regiment, New York Militia of Buffalo. It is chambered in 50-70 Government, which was the standard cartridge for a few years before the government adopted the 45-70. Remington rifles of that era did not have serial numbers, nor did they show the caliber.

The New York Militia rifles are not unique, but they have an extremely high hammer spur and the breechblock spur protruding to the right side. I can't tell from your photo if your hammer spur is as high as mine. My rifle has 74th Regt stamped on the right side of the stock. Other units may not have done that. Remington sold only about 20000 of these rifles in the US.

The Army went with Winchester lever actions, but Remington sold millions to other countries, all in each country's particular caliber. If yours is 50-70, and I suspect it might be, it's most likely a New York Militia rifle. If it's some other caliber, it was made for some other country.

For some background on these rifles go to Last edited by pigbayou; at 10:14 PM. Vintageem313, A 7mm Rolling Block could come from any of a number of south/central American countries that used the 7mm Mauser as their primary issue rifle. There is some disagreement as to when production of the 'smokeless' Number 1 Rolling Block, also called a number 1a Rolling Block, began. While there are reports of this type of rifle being used in the testing of both the 7mm 'Spanish Mauser' as early as 1891,and the 7.62 Russian as early as 1887, this has not been confirmed to date. It is generally thought to have had small numbers of the 7x57 version built between 1893 and 1895 with the majority built between the later date and 1910 but with production continuing into 1917.

As the 7x57 Mauser was officially adopted in 1893 with the Modelo 1893 'Spanish Mauser', the earlier date is the most likely for issue rifles as opposed to test samples. Again, there is some dispute about how many were built as secondary and training arms between 1913 and 1917 for WW I.

In addition to the 7x57 'Spanish Mauser' round, they were built in.303 British, 30-40 Krag, 7.65 Argentine, 7.62 x54r Russian, 8mm Lebel, and even the 6mm Lee Navy. By the time the 7mm 'Spanish Mauser' round was adopted, front line troops would normally be equipped with the more expensive Mauser Rifles. Secondary units like civil guards, police, customs, prison guards, and the like would tend to get the much cheaper Rolling Blocks.

The brutal simplicity and ease of operation made the Rolling Blocks popular for often the less than professional level secondary units. For the same reason, they were often used as basic firearms training rifles 'saving' the better Mausers for regular 'professional army' use. The later 'Smokeless' number 1 Rolling Blocks use a larger 1.055 approximately barrel shank thread with a 12 pitch square thread as opposed to the slightly smaller 0.975 shank on the older black Powder versions. The firing pin tip and hole in the breech block are also smaller to accommodate the higher pressure from the smokeless powder. The receivers are also a heat treated steel while earlier black powder receivers could be a softer iron.

Engineer 179. I have an 1871 Remington Rolling Block that originally belonged to the 74th Regiment, New York Militia of Buffalo.

It is chambered in 50-70 Government, which was the standard cartridge for a few years before the government adopted the 45-70. Remington rifles of that era did not have serial numbers, nor did they show the caliber. The New York Militia rifles are not unique, but they have an extremely high hammer spur and the breechblock spur protruding to the right side. I can't tell from your photo if your hammer spur is as high as mine. My rifle has 74th Regt stamped on the right side of the stock. Other units may not have done that.

Remington sold only about 20000 of these rifles in the US. The Army went with Winchester lever actions, but Remington sold millions to other countries, all in each country's particular caliber. If yours is 50-70, and I suspect it might be, it's most likely a New York Militia rifle. If it's some other caliber, it was made for some other country. For some background on these rifles go to Militia.50-70 Rolling Blocks were manufactured under license at Springfield Arsenal not by Remington and will have an eagle and Springfield stamped on the receiver; the rifle in the photo isn't one of those.

Militia.50-70 Rolling Blocks were manufactured under license at Springfield Arsenal not by Remington and will have an eagle and Springfield stamped on the receiver; the rifle in the photo isn't one of those.Mine is not the one in the photos in this string. It has 74th Regt (presumably the Buffalo New York Regiment) stamped on the stock, Remington with patent dates on the tang, and three Remington cartouches. No sign of Springfield.

If it isn't a militia rifle, what is it? I can send pictures. Last edited by pigbayou; at 11:25 AM. Mine is not the one in the photos in this string.

It has 74th Regt (presumably the Buffalo New York Regiment) stamped on the stock, Remington with patent dates on the tang, and three Remington cartouches. No sign of Springfield. If it isn't a militia rifle, what is it? I can send pictures.Going thru my references, New York state militia Rolling Blocks were manufactured at Springfield Arsenal and have a 36 in. Full round barrel, two barrel bands and REMINGTONS PATENT/PAT.MAY 3d NOV 15th 1864 APRIL 27th 1868 stamped on the left side of the frame and U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1872 with a spread winged eagle on the right side of the frame.

Remington manufactured some similar.50-70 rifles with a 35 in. Full round barrel and three barrel bands, but, as far as I can tell they were not manufactured expressly for New York state but several state militias bought Remingtons in.50-70. Should be marked on the upper tang E. REMINGTON & SONS ILION, N.Y. With patent dates varying.

The rifle in the photo looks like a Model 1879 Rolling Block probably in.43 cal. The barrel should be 34 1/2 in. Long with the first couple of inches octagonal.

The earlier models had different much wider barrel bands and full round barrels. There are also differences in sights in the various models. Markings should be on the upper tang, REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, ILION, N.Y.

With various patent dates. Last edited by Ben Gunn rev2; at 03:24 PM. Mine is not the one in the photos in this string.

It has 74th Regt (presumably the Buffalo New York Regiment) stamped on the stock, Remington with patent dates on the tang, and three Remington cartouches. No sign of Springfield. If it isn't a militia rifle, what is it? I can send pictures.

According to U.S. Firearms 1775-1956 by Major Hicks, you have a legitimate rifle. I am sure you already knew that, but if you can find a copy of this book it is well worth buying and is a great reference for detailed technical information regarding U.S.

Martial arms. Mid., Your gun is not just a standard export Remington. Yours has the knoxform and rear sight that identify it as (uncle joe was correct) an Argentine model 1879. You will find info on that model here: Many were re-finished and imported into this country.

Some leftover Remington stock lacked the Argentine markings atop the Knoxform. Although I've read that they could also come from a Bolivian contract. The caliber should be.43 Spanish, though some were converted to 11mm Mauser in this country, and are usually so marked. Victor 'Always carry a firearm east of Aldgate, Watson.' That is one of the reasons why I always recommend the chamber cast. There are many potential caliber possibilities because many of these purchasing countries defaulted on their contracts or otherwise did not complete their deals. Over-runs are possible but less likely.

Sharps Rifle

This kind of business almost put Remington out of business a couple of times. Add to that the fact that at least one person had it before you. For all you know your grandfather could have had it re chambered to a more popular caliber in the past. I repaired a 7mm Rolling block last year that someone had re chambered for 7mm Magnum.

I don't think they shot it after the work was done because the rifle was still repairable. It is very possible that this 7mm rifle was re chambered by some guy with a 1950's copy of 'American Rifleman' and a power drill. This happened to a lot of rifles before and after WWII. Viclav is correct. The knoxform and rear sight identify the rifle as part of the Argentine M1879 contract. Remington produced a considerable overrun of these rifles and your rifle is one of the overruns. Remington's agents for the South American trade sold many of these to various Latin American countries.

Unfortunately, there is very little documentation of these sales. Unless a gunsmith got hold of it, the rifle should be chambered for the.43 Spanish. Some Argentine contract RBs were rechambered for the 11 mm Mannlicher in the 1950s, but these are clearely stamped '11 MANN' on the knoxform. Viclav is correct. The knoxform and rear sight identify the rifle as part of the Argentine M1879 contract.

Remington produced a considerable overrun of these rifles and your rifle is one of the overruns. Remington's agents for the South American trade sold many of these to various Latin American countries. Unfortunately, there is very little documentation of these sales. Unless a gunsmith got hold of it, the rifle should be chambered for the.43 Spanish. Some Argentine contract RBs were rechambered for the 11 mm Mannlicher in the 1950s, but these are clearely stamped '11 MANN' on the knoxform. Unfortunately, there are too many separate rolling block conversations going on in the same thread. I often find rifles that have been converted into something else.

The information you have may be accurate for the original poster's rifle. Hard to say about what caliber the rifle is currently chambered in.