Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

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Draxorian
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:29 pm

Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by Draxorian »

Howdy folks,
Just joined.
I have, what I think, according to google, a rolling block #4 “Boy Scout” single shot. https://www.remington.com/firearm-histo ... ling-block

I was given it by my dad, who got it from his dad, and his dad (my great papaw). Was told it was his “rabbit gun”.

Years ago, I was told at a gun show that it was “probably 32wcf”. However, according to the link above, it wasn’t available in that caliber. Just 22, 22lr, 25-10, and 32 short and long. The barrel is marked on the underside “32”. Can someone confirm the caliber and perhaps the year? According to the link above it’s between 1901 and 1926 (takedown lever). Serial number is J186170

p.s. pardon my ignorance again, but if it’s 32 short/long it’s rimfire right?

Thanks in advance!
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nambujim
Posts: 597
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by nambujim »

This is out of my comfort zone but since no one else has offered up any info I'll take a shot at it. The rifle being marked "32", my understanding is that translates to .32 Rimfire Short or .32 Rimfire Long, either could be fired in the rifle.

Hard cartridge to find but you can get some from antique ammo dealers but its tough. Navy Arms made a run of this stuff about 35 years ago from a plant in Brazil, turned out most of the Long ammo didn't fire........bummer!

Hope this is of some help.

Jim Peterson
Charlotte, NC
Jim Peterson
Draxorian
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:29 pm

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by Draxorian »

Thanks for the attempt. I hope some others chime in. I was guessing it was 32short/long rimfire from what I found on the Remington website. It breaks my heart that I’ll probably never get to shoot it since that ammo isn’t made anymore (I think I found a site that sells it for $4/round 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️)

Now I’m hoping for responses to confirm it’s a “Boy Scout” model and perhaps a year of manufacture 😁
nambujim
Posts: 597
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by nambujim »

Again, out of my comfort zone but the Boy Scout Version was the Model 4S and available only in .22 Long Rifle.

An old friend has a site for antique ammo and has a couple of boxes for sale of .32 Rimfire Short @ $175 (50 rounds), one is the Navy Arms and the other a box of Canuck stuff. www.rtgammo.com

When you look at what they are asking for primers these days, $175 isn't too bad. The site is run by Ray Giles in Texas, he's a good guy!

Jim Peterson
Charlotte, NC
Jim Peterson
Draxorian
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:29 pm

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by Draxorian »

Ok, so I misread the link I posted originally and the “Boy Scout” was a variation? I just have a “regular” #4 rolling block?
nambujim
Posts: 597
Joined: Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: Charlotte, NC

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by nambujim »

Yes, in my opinion but I am not an authority on Rolling Blocks.

I am however sure that the 4S only came in .22 Long Rifle and that yours is a .32 Rimfire. Neat little gun!

Take care & behave!

Jim Peterson
Jim Peterson
dieNusse1
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:12 pm
Location: Mishawaka, IN

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by dieNusse1 »

Dixie Gun Works sells 32R conversion cases so hand loads can be produced. A 22 blank is used for the primer. Slow to load since the 22 has to be lined up with the firing pin for the whole thing to work but works well in my Flobert.

Another option I've considered is drilling a new path for the firing pin so that a center fire cartridge could be used. I think it would work for the Floberg but not worth the effort or expense in my opinion. I don't know about a RB.
Draxorian
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat Jan 16, 2021 5:29 pm

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by Draxorian »

Thanks again for the responses so far.

Thank you for the link to vintage ammo. I’m not sure if I can bring myself to buying any because, beyond $3.50/round, I’d be destroying something vintage 🤣.

Thanks for the thoughts on redrilling to make it a center fire, but I don’t think I want to do that either. I wish someone just made new rimfire ammo... reloading is currently beyond my skill set...

Still hoping for someone that can date the rifle... my guess is somewhere in the 1910’s since the serial # is just over halfway of the total production?
dieNusse1
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:12 pm
Location: Mishawaka, IN

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by dieNusse1 »

Opps - I made an error -- Dixie sells conversion brass for 38R -- not 32R.
dieNusse1
Posts: 400
Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 5:12 pm
Location: Mishawaka, IN

Re: Help with caliber confirmation #4 rolling block

Post by dieNusse1 »

One more crazy idea.

I seem to remember that Russian rifle teams in the past would reload 22s. As I recall they used a drop of some sort of liquid primer, let it dry and reload. If and where this material is available and whether it would be legal I don't know.

If available - it could put a whole bunch of rim fires back to work.
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