Custer's rolling block rifle

Topics related to Pre - 1898 Remington Rifles
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johtpeyt
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2019 12:13 pm

Custer's rolling block rifle

Post by johtpeyt »

Did George Armstrong Custer have a second Rolling Block Rifle? While there are photos of him with a sporterized version of the gun, we have a rolling block rifle, most likely an infantry model with no visible markings on it that we would like to know more about.
wlw-19958
Posts: 159
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2016 7:21 pm

Re: Custer's rolling block rifle

Post by wlw-19958 »

Hi There,

I have no idea if Custer had a military style rolling block
or not. What providence does it have? Is it a battlefield
relic? If you could supply more information, perhaps we
could be of more help.

The U.S. Army (and Navy) did have some rolling blocks.
In the 1870 to 1872 period, the Springfield Armory made
some for field trials (about 10,000 of the latter type).
These differed from the usual Remington rifles of the period
in barrel length and number of barrel bands and rear sight.

They also had a unique "locking" action the usual Remington
product lacked (except the ones made for the New York State
Militia).

There are other changes that the Remington rolling block
experienced over the long period of manufacture. During
this time, new improvements were incorporated into the
design and can be used to help in narrowing the years of
possible manufacture of a particular arm.

If you could post some pictures of the rifle this would help
aid with identification. Please include close-ups of the action
(left and right) and with the breech open, along with over-all
views. Also include dimensions (like barrel length).

With pictures and some description, we may be able to help
at least in identifying which model you have.

Good Luck!
-Blue Chips-
Webb
marlinman93
Posts: 379
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:47 pm

Re: Custer's rolling block rifle

Post by marlinman93 »

Most information I've seen indicated Custer had a Rolling Block Sporting Rifle, not a military. But it's also well known that his widow did a pretty good job supporting herself after his death selling all sorts of firearms and memorabilia with "letters of authenticity" stating they were owned by her late husband.
Without extremely good provenance it's best to be very skeptical of anything attributed to being owned by Custer. He's likely the most famous name to own more than he ever had.
wlw-19958
Posts: 159
Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2016 7:21 pm

Re: Custer's rolling block rifle

Post by wlw-19958 »

Hi There,

Yes, that is true. The same is true of Jesse James
and the firearms purported to have belonged to him.

Good Luck!
-Blue Chips-
Webb
Dick Hosmer
Posts: 164
Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:15 pm
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Re: Custer's rolling block rifle

Post by Dick Hosmer »

Pictures would help immensely. Two barrel bands or three?

For all we know at this point, it may not even be U.S.

I believe that ANY supposed connection with GAC is WILDLY suppositional.
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