Question on 1879 Remington Rolling Block

P

pdh

New member
A friend is thinking about trading for this rifle. he came to me for questions....and I told him I will check it out with you guys....because I know nothing about it :D

It is a 1897 Rem Rolling Block. He wants to know the approx value as the owner is wanting to trade him for a glock handgun.
Also...if you can shoot smokeless powder in it. (I thought...No...blackpowder)
Bore was told in very good condition...
Here's some pics

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Can you tell us about the calibre and the markings on the weapon? Many of the 1879 RB rifles were sold to Mexico and were chambered in 7mm Mauser.

The wood looks pretty good. How is the finish? I've not seen one with a good bore. I don't think that cleaning weapons was high on the priority list for the Mexican army at the time they used the 1897.
 
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Man, I'm sorry. It is a 45-70.
I will have to get back to you guys about the markings on the barrel....
Thanks :)
 
If it's a 45/70, it would make for a fun shooter if the bore is still in good shape.

Any military markings on it, particularly US, would increase its value substatially. I don't remember any US 45/70 RBs, although the US Navy issued a Model 1870 in 50/70 in limited numbers. I posted a picture of one in the "Most Desirable Antique Rifles" thread.

That octoganal reinforce is interesting and should help tie down its nomenclature. The Latin numbers on the sight should rule out a Turkish or Arabian rifle I think.

Flash photography can confuse the issue with reflective surfaces, but it looks like the rifle has had steel wool or some other abraive used on it. An orginal finish wouldn't show the scratch marks that are seen on this one.
 
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The barrel looks like a Argentine musket to me with the austrian wrendl type sights and the ocotogon barrel base. The Agrintines is the only rolling blocks to use this sight and type of barrel but then that should be in the .43 spanish round. And I would swap 2 Glocks for that gun myself.
 
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I think it is a Remington copy?
All the # 3s Sporting Rifles I've ever seen had a checkered pistol grip and a side lever to drop its breech with. This is more similar looking to an earlier model #2 but as far as I know Remington didn't make a #2 in 45-70? I could be wrong? But, we'll see when PDH posts what He see's engraved on its barrel.

Radom:

If this is a #5 1897 military grade rifle sent to South America? It should be a 7mm Mauser. Not a 45-70 as told by this author. As again I could be wrong? but I don't think the #5 was produced in 45-70 caliber either? If indeed it was? I stand corrected.

Sorry:
Oops!! I missed the reference to it being a #1 model military grade rifle. I've never seen a #1 Military or a Sporting Grade up close ever.
 
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Not a sporting rifle. Its a standard 1879 Argentine army or police musket. Should say Modelo 1879 EM or such on the top of the octogon barrel base. That would be a No 1 rifle.
 
More pictures if it will help a little more. He told me he thought somebody did go over it with steelwool......
Have not heard from him yet for the barrel markings...

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Now that is interesting as I have never seen one sporterized like that before with that style of wood carvings. Cut up like that I would think around 400 bucks as someone did wreck the colector value of it when they cut it up. If I had a glock as I dont much care for the things I would trade though as I do have dies and a bullet mold for the .43 round. I guess a person could get lucky and find a original wood set to restore it and the hardware but thats going to cost more than the gun is worth restored.
 
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