No 1 Rolling Block Light Baby Carbine

[orpington]

The 7th Edition of Flayderman's (page 154) states these were made circa 1892 to 1902. (Can anybody pinpoint further, and any ways to distinguish if produced later or earlier, e.g., definitively pre-1899, or not)?

But, the real reason for this post: Flayderman states the following: "Blued barrels scarce". What does this mean? Were most of these produced in nickel?

Also, anyone know how many were produced, other than, as stated in Flayderman's, "a few thousand"? How many were in nickel? Or, in blue?

[ehull]

The only positive way to ID a pre1899 carbine is by the company name "E.Remington& Sons" on the frame tang - this marking was used only thru 1888, when that company failed. After that, "Remington Arms Company" was stamped thru the end of production. The last recorded sale was in 1910.
Reliable company records show that a total of about 5,340 were made. Both nickel plated and blued finishes were offered, but there is no longer any record of how many of each. Note that the "Baby Carbine" was based on the 1-1/2 frame size.

[orpington]

And some photographs.

I am not as familiar with Remington as compared to Colt and Winchester. Having said that, I suspect the nickel is not original to the firearm. Note weak lettering on tang with nickel finish within. Suggests wear to lettering and then application of nickel???

Thoughts?

Value?

[orpington]

And some more photographs...for your review...

[ehull]

In-person inspection by an experienced collector would be necessary. The fact that the plating has flaked off, and that no copper pre-plating is evident, seems to indicate a non-factory plating job.

[orpington]

Note that the "Baby Carbine" was based on the 1-1/2 frame size.

Flayderman has this listed in the No 1 frame section of his book, not the 1 1/2 section. Is this an error in his book?

Any ideas as to value, as I do plan on keeping it for awhile, but may wish to trade towards a Winchester, Colt, Merwin & Hulbert, or Sharps someday?

[ehull]

Flayderman is wrong. This carbine was based on the slightly thinner 1-1/2 sporting rifle frame, and a true Light Baby Carbine will have that model's sporting type buttplate, not a military type.

[orpington]

Does mine have a sporting or military type of buttplate? If military, then it's not a "true' baby carbine? If so, then what is it?

Any idea as to value? I might trade this towards something else.

[ehull]

Yours appears to have a correct sporting buttplate, with a gently rounded heel. A military buttplate would have what looks like a cast flat plate that wraps around the heel. Flayderman's is a good start for value, and photos, followed by searching the web for "for sale" Baby Carbine models.

[orpington]

Wow! VERY difficult to find any like mine for sale. Seems to be only a few out there for sale and they are overpriced, and have "problems", like a poorly fitting stock...