Rem. Rolling Block S/R Carbine,50-70 Ident.Help (PHOTOS)

[Fauquier]

I have the rifle titled above. It is in all original condition ,100% complete.
The barrel is 19" long from the receiver,extractor cut at 9 o'clock. Bore is rough,but appears usable. Someone carved on the stock, long ago as you can see. On the upper tang:

Remington Arms Company Ilion NY
PAT MAY 3 1864 MAY 7th JUNE 11th NOV 12th DECEMBER 24th 1872
DEC 31 1872 SEPT 9th 1873 JAN 12th MARCH 16th 1874

Barrel band had a U stamp. No other markings showing on the assembled metal parts, no stamps on the wood.

PHOTOS POSTED

Estimated value ? (Previously thought to be 50-45 caliber)

[Dick Hosmer]

This is going to hurt - very sorry:

So far as the "100% original" statement goes, I have to tell you that the rear sight is a Model 1884 "Buffington" sight from a trapdoor Springfield .45-70! This means that the barrel likely has some extra holes in it, and, if the bore is bad is loses appeals as a shooter. The barrel has also been cut down in length from its' original 23.25". Also, the funky carving (only thing worse would be if bubba had made the all-too-popular "calvary" spelling error) on the stock would be a huge turnoff for me, at least.

So, I don't know what to say - it has problems for both collectors and shooters alike. I suppose there are some salvageable parts - but that is about it. Possibly a re-enactor could use it as a 'beater'.

I'd put value at maybe $400 (not an offer) and am guessing it would be a slow mover at that.

As I said, sorry.

[ehull]

This is a post-1880 carbine by the frame characteristics. Note the barrel was measured from the frame, so 19" is likely correct -- not a cut down. The rear sight is not the type usually found on a Remington carbine.
Is it center fire?

[Fauquier]

The rifle is a center fire. The barrel does not appear to have been cut down . I appreciate all input.

[ehull]

Except for the rear sight, this appears to be a standard, late production carbine. The tang marking dates to post-1888, when "E. Remington & Sons" became the "Remington Arms Co.," as marked on the tang.

[Dick Hosmer]

Thanks Ed, looks like my ignorance bit me again. Didn't know they made .50-45 carbines that late.

[Skirmisher]

Are you sure that it is a 50-45? I don't believe this caliber was produced much after the late 60's or 1870. If it is it could be an early barrel mated to a later gun. Am not aware of any 50-45 with that barrel length. Try inserting a 50-70 case & see if it chambers; if it does you'll know it's not 50-45.

Skirmisher

[ehull]

Also, is the breech block only centerfire, or is it rimfire convertible? Remington and Hartley & Graham sold convertible carbines to Mexico into the 1890s.

[Fauquier]

The rifle is center fire only. I found a vintage 50-70 round , it chambers

perfectly! Sorry about the 50-45 confusion , the gun was advertised as such.

I really appreciate your staying with this quest for information, and helpful

comments .

[jon_norstog]

Fauquier,

I think that is a pretty decent carbine. What Dick and Ed said. My own thought is the rear sight was put on by someone who was a serious shooter - the stock Remington carbine sight was pretty much for pointing the gun in the general direction of a target. With all the gun's issues, it probably has little value unless you can find out its history. Since you have the gun, why not try shooting it? I would suggest a stiff load of BP behind a soft (1:20 tin:lead) bullet, maybe a hollow-base.

Good luck with it!

jn