Identify? Rolling Block

[ohio gar]

Hello again from Ohio
Thanks for allowing me to post here.
In my introduction I stated that I have lived
my 72 year life beside a Rolling block Gun Lamp. Took the
lamp apart to see what the gun was like and it has
an amazingly clean bore. Not very deep rifling but
a really really clean bore.
I would like to find out what it is and maybe where
it spent it's early years??
The wood shows it's age and the barrel is pitting
some at the wood line but it is more than shootable.
What I have:
On both upper and lower tang, hidden by the wood, is
the serial number 69986
33 5/8" barrel length to the receiver
Letter B stamped on the left rear side of the barrel
at the receiver.
Bore measures 430 thousandths with a fairly nice plastic caliper.
Chamber diameter measures roughly 513 thousandths.
Chamber length seems to be 1 3/4" to the taper.
Center fire only
On the right side of the receiver between the
hammer pins the number 388 is prominently stamped upside down.
I can see 1873 patent on the tang but there are 2 more dates after
that that I cannot make out. Pic attached
I have looked over the wood and see no proof marks or
stampings of any kind.
The only other marks I can see are the letter either n or u on
two of the barrel rings.
Barrel rings and ramrod are brass.
It would be really nice to know exactly what is lighting my way
or maybe I should hang it in the gunrack.
Again thanks for letting me post here.
Gary

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

What you have is a "Spanish model" rolling block. These were
chambered in .43 Spanish (which is very close to the 44-77 Sharps
bottle neck cartridge).

The numbers on the sides of the tangs are not serial numbers but
more like lot numbers. Remington manufactured rifles in lots.
Each lot started a new numbering sequence (starting at one).
Frames and lower tangs were "mated" during fitting and stamped
with the lot number so that after polishing and finish is applied,
the two mated parts can be re-joined.

The Spanish model rifles were used by Spain and her colonies
as well as most of the South and Central American countries and
thus, was Remington's most produced rolling block. But, there
can be certain tell-tale differences that can be used to ascertain
which country bought them. Most countries did not serial number
their guns but a small handful did. The "388" is such a serial number.
Off the top of my head, I do not remember which country that was
but I will check and get back later on what I find out.

Good Luck!
Webb

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

The closest I can come up with is Costa Rica. They would put
a serial number on the right-hand side of the frame. The only
example I have seen has the serial number between the front
(breach block) pivot pin and the front of the frame and stamped
right-side-up. Yours has the serial number between the two pins
and is up-side-down. The font of the stamps does appear to match.

The other difference is the placement of the rear sight. The Costa
Ricans specified the rear sight to be 1-3/4" in front of the frame
and yours appears to be farther away.

Also the Costa Ricans specified a barrel that was 34-1/4" long.
You indicated yours is shorter than that. This may be due to the
way you measured your barrel. Barrel length is measured from
the face of the breach block to the muzzle and not the front of
the frame to the muzzle. The most sure way to make this
measurement is to place a 3/8" diameter dowel rod that is 36"
long, down the bore of the barrel until it rest against the breach
and mark the dowel rod where is sticks out of the barrel. Then
remove it and measure the distance from the end to the mark.

Lastly, you barrel has a saber bayonet lug. This is unusual for a
Costa Rican ordered rolling block but not impossible. According
to the Schuyler, Hartly and Graham shipping records, Costa Rica
ordered 11,500 rolling blocks. Only 800 of those should have the
saber bayonet lug.

Good Luck!
Webb