ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Gang, I need a little help. I just gormt a great deal on a beautiful remington rolling block . I think,lol....I've no experiance with these but I've been doing n some research and apparently they come in a plethora of calibers. No idea what this one is. It does not take a 50-70 or a 45-90 but it seems to fit a 45-70 cartridge. I can not find any caliber on the rifle, even under handguards. Gonna slug the barrel, that should get me close. Posting couple pics to see if you guys can educate me a little. Half octagon half round heavy barrel, got some serious weight. And I have the front sight, just need to tap the dovetail a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 I've taken off the handguards, it has east street and 6 1/2 stamped on the barrel and that's it, no idea what that means also took off the rear sight no caliber just winchester stuff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Is there a serial number somewhere? A gun without a serial number can be problematic these days. Do a search for "Remington serial number lookup". I got several hits. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 45-70 seems diameter right buy also seems a tad long, I will see what I can find on serial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Do a chamber cast , then go from there given the pics , I suspect 43 Spanish CB 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Those are the only markings, it's a super nice rifle and it came with a globe front sight with a level...so I know it was at one time a competition shooter or long range gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Might have some luck here: https://www.remingtonsociety.org/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 (edited) "LO"would have been made in Feb., 1977, according to this table: https://www.oldguns.net/sn_php/remdates.php I know nothing about rollers; I don't know if Remington was making them then. 1977 seems too recent. Probably getting acquainted on a Remington Collector's forum would be helpful. Edited August 18 by J-BAR #18287 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 43 spanish I know nothing about but I've started reading, I guess it's a great cartridge....just wish I had one to see if it seats. Never chamber casted but I may try it. Wonder if I could get a decent gun smith to ream to 50-70,I already shoot that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-BAR #18287 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Thinking about it, the number is probably L zero 429, not "LO", but I haven't found a list with just one letter. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 what is the DIA. of the ID of the barrel ? as to 50-70 , that would cost a bunch IMO for drilling and rifling CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Gonna slug the barrel this afternoon when I get home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Slugged 451-452 with a lead ball, so I still have no clue, but it did drop in the camber so I would think bottleneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 given that , I am now pretty sure it be a 43 Spanish that seems to be what I recall from sorting one out some time back time for a chamber cast and a bit of looking to get it right , there are several close to the measurement , as I recall , not having a reference book in hand CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Please get the base DIA and the rim dia I will pull out a couple of referance books , as soom as I get back in , have to deal with an issue that just cropped up Chickasaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 43 Spanish uses .439 bullets. That rifle looks like a sporting model rather than a military gun. 44-77 is a close cousin to .43 Spanish but may use larger bullets. It would be best to make a chamber cast if you can. Horace 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 From the pics that's a real sweetheart. Good luck...and let us know what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Joker Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Could it be a worn .43 Egyptian? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.43_Egyptian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 43 Spanish Reformado bullet dia .454 base dia ,525 , rim dia .631 the other option , is a 11.4mm Brazilian Comblain bullet dia .452 base dia .588 . rim dia .682 taken from Crgs of the world , published 1965 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 (edited) Ornery, welcome to the world of "Rabbit Hole Remington" owners! A couple of interesting Remington information tidbits: First, the military Rolling Blocks were rarely, if ever, given serial numbers. The fact that yours has what appears to be a serial number on the lower tang might indicate that it was manufactured for the civilian market - possibly as a target model. Not a bad thing at all! Also, Remington, for some mysterious reason, rarely, if ever, stamped a caliber on the Rolling Blocks. And this in itself is your ticket into the "Remington Rabbit Hole," as they were factory produced in at least two dozen chamberings. Of these, there are perhaps a half-dozen that could be for the bore diameter you measured - especially considering that their tolerances were not so great back then. Some of these possibilities might include: .43 Spanish .43 Spanish "Reformado*" .43 Egyptian .44-77 Sharps/(Remington) .45-70 (not likely, if your chamber is too short) 11 mm Danish 11X59 mm Gras ... any "custom" calibers (perhaps .45-60?) *On the subject of "Spanish .43 Reformado," the cartridge actually took an 11.5mm (.453) bullet. Don't ask me where they got .43; again, some of the dimensions of the period were pretty imprecise - especially with military chamberings. The "true" .43 Spanish shot a .439 bullet; ostensibly much too small for your bore, but who knows...? As suggested above, get yourself a block o' Cerrosafe and do a chamber casting. If you have a copy of "Cartridges Of the World" you should be able to find a match; if you don't, just post the dimensions here and you'll get a bunch o' lookups! In the meantime, here are a few pictures that might pique your interests - or perhaps ignite a migraine! .44-77 Sharps (Remington) .43 Spanish .43 Spanish Reformado Edited August 19 by Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Forgot to ask - when you slugged the barrel, did it have an even or odd number of lands/grooves? And I assume your measurements were groove diameter...? And by the way ~ that is a right handsome rifle ya gots there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Has 5 lands and grooves and this front sight with a level, so I think it was a competition or someone who knew what they were doing. And holy crap, what a rabbit hole, I couldn't have picked a harder gun to solve the mystery..... Gonna order some stuff to cast the chamber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sloe Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 From the Blue Book of Gun Values, 39th edition: The L code is for the following years; 1942, 1964, 1990, and 2015. Another caliber is 45-75. Short, bottle neck, and packs a punch. And also currently obsolete. BS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 18 Author Share Posted August 18 Dang it Barry, ya threw another dang caliber in there!!!! Seriously, thanks and thanks to all the pards on here, you guys are a great resource! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 18 Share Posted August 18 Ornery, you're probably safe on the .45-75. Initially developed for the 1876 Winchester; pretty much limited to that rifle and a few other special "Winchester" commemorative type runs. Now, it's possible that someone chambered a Remington Roller for it, but not overly likely. But it would be cool if it was! 1876 Winchester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 19 Author Share Posted August 19 (edited) I could handle 45-75, always wanted one of the Canadian winchesters that came in it, like the one Tom Selleck had in crossfire trail Rcmp version maybe? Edited August 19 by ORNERY OAF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 2 hours ago, Barry Sloe said: From the Blue Book of Gun Values, 39th edition: The L code is for the following years; 1942, 1964, 1990, and 2015. Another caliber is 45-75. Short, bottle neck, and packs a punch. And also currently obsolete. BS The Remington year codes - that's black powder, right? - didn't start until the late 1920s. So if your gun was made in 1892 (for example), there won't be a year code on it. I seriously doubt that L has anything to do with the year it was made. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sloe Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 1 hour ago, Alpo said: The Remington year codes - that's black powder, right? - didn't start until the late 1920s. So if your gun was made in 1892 (for example), there won't be a year code on it. I seriously doubt that L has anything to do with the year it was made. Black powder had a letter and a number. Letter for year and number for month (1-12). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 When I purchased my Remington #1 Rolling Block years ago for $125 at a gunshow, I bought a few rounds of .43 Reformado (has a brass or brass plated bullet). That was not the correct cartridge. It was .43 Spanish. I was able to buy dies from Lee and brass (made from .348 Winchester) and .439 cast bullets from Buffalo Arms. All of these antique Remingtons should be using black powder cartridges except the #5 action which is steel rather than iron. Horace 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 (edited) 1 hour ago, Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 said: When I purchased my Remington #1 Rolling Block years ago for $125 at a gunshow, I bought a few rounds of .43 Reformado (has a brass or brass plated bullet). That was not the correct cartridge. It was .43 Spanish. I was able to buy dies from Lee and brass (made from .348 Winchester) and .439 cast bullets from Buffalo Arms. All of these antique Remingtons should be using black powder cartridges except the #5 action which is steel rather than iron. Horace I've done that. Just this afternoon I opened my digital calipers case and smiled when I saw the .348 pin gauge nestled inside - a 2" long steel rod exactly .348" in diameter. This was a leftover from my .43 Spanish from .348 WInchester forming project. The ..348 Winchester is a good "parent case," except the case diameter at the web is .553" (just forward of the rim). The .43 Spanish is .525" - that's .0028" too big. As the case is really thick there, I found it easier to turn the case down than try to cram it into a die. So... the pin gauge? Well, I'd just slip it into the case mouth, chuck it up in the drill press and a few seconds with a file did the trick. The pin gauge aligned the case, and prevented the chuck from crushing the neck. Worked well! .43 Spanish Edited August 19 by Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace Patootie, SASS #35798 Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 Luckily, Buffalo Arms reformed the .348 cases that I bought from them. I also lucked into an almost complete box of original .43 Spanish ammo (not to shoot) at a gunshow. Pic is with my reloads also. Horace 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 19 Author Share Posted August 19 Ok, gotta love Amazon....incoming Cerasafe and Cartridges of the World 17th Edition . Gonna cast the chamber and compare to the cartridges ya'll threw at me!!! Should get us in the ballpark. Will report back when it comes in 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted August 19 Share Posted August 19 Were they chambered in .45-60? The Rolling Block is a strange beast... More to come... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORNERY OAF Posted August 19 Author Share Posted August 19 Actually it's a bottleneck so it sure may be.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted August 20 Share Posted August 20 looks a fun rifle , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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