Identification And Assistance Please

Topics related to Pre - 1898 Remington Rifles
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Ryan
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 9:18 am

Identification And Assistance Please

Post by Ryan »

New user to the forum. I acquired this firearm from my grandfather who recently passed away at 94 years old. I am a collector and have restored a few rifles in the past and I’m excited to work on this. However I’m in new territory, I am not familiar with these rolling block actions. It’s seems there is a lot of information and it can get confusing when trying to weed through all the data. Here is what I know, the receiver is solid and double tang. There are some markings on the left side and it obscured a little: MAY NOV 2 DEC 24 DEC 3 1872 SEPT 1873. Please refer to the pictures provided. There is a serial number on the bottom tang = 783. Obviously there are some screws that were replaced on the butt plate and one piece of hardware missing from the tang holding the receiver to the butt stock. The action is crisp. Badly pitted all over. The only thing I’ve done is rubbed a little gun oil over the barrel and receiver. I would like to fully restore this. It might need to be relined, but I haven’t punched the bore yet. First things first, identity. Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is a family heirloom. Thank you.
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Ryan
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 9:18 am

Re: Identification And Assistance Please

Post by Ryan »

I did a little cleaning today, took off the tape and confirmed the serial numbers.
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marlinman93
Posts: 379
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:47 pm

Re: Identification And Assistance Please

Post by marlinman93 »

It appears to be a # 1 1/2 Remington Sporting Rifle, and from the markings an early one. The rollstamp on the top barrel flat should read, "E. Remington & Sons" The caliber should be marked on the bottom barrel flat just forward of the forearm.
The #1 1/2 was offered in what we consider pistol calibers, or pistol length calibers. They use the same parts as the full size #1, except for having slightly thinner frames, and no step on the sides of the receivers.
Restoration is an option, but not one I'd take on a family heirloom. I would indeed do what I call a "Sympathetic Restoration" where I get everything correct and working. And even relining the barrel is OK so it can be shot and enjoyed. But I'd hate to erase the family history by restoring the metal and wood. Then it's just another restored gun, and not the same gun your grandfather enjoyed.
Ryan
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 9:18 am

Re: Identification And Assistance Please

Post by Ryan »

Honestly, my grandfather never enjoyed it. It sat in his closet and never saw the light of day. Sad but true I suppose.
marlinman93
Posts: 379
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:47 pm

Re: Identification And Assistance Please

Post by marlinman93 »

Well if you proceed with a restoration just be sure it's done authentically and ends up being just as it was when it left the Remington factory. Color cased receiver and buttplate, rust blued barrel, blued screws. Any restoration worth doing should be money well spent. If not done accurately it wont be worth anymore than it is presently.

This my original #1 1/2 unrestored. Faded color case, and bluing, but a nice enough gun to leave as is. No family history as I bought it from a guy who said his family didn't want his guns, so he'd rather a collector had them.

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Ryan
Posts: 4
Joined: Sat May 23, 2020 9:18 am

Re: Identification And Assistance Please

Post by Ryan »

That is beautiful! I need to find a good gunsmith and get a professional opinion as the pitting is so bad on the receiver and barrel.
marlinman93
Posts: 379
Joined: Sat Aug 14, 2004 10:47 pm

Re: Identification And Assistance Please

Post by marlinman93 »

I've used Al Springer at Snowy Mountain Blue for a very long time. Very honest, reasonably priced, and his rust blue and case colors are as good as it gets.

http://smbgunrestorations.com/

Al did the rust bluing and color case on my last Rolling Block build.

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I normally do my own polishing and the rest the work, but on that one I had the barrel fitted at C Sharps, so they sent it direct to Al and he did the barrel polishing also.
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