1870 Navy framed target 22's

[yellow-dog1959]

Greetings. I am curious what experience others have had with Navy framed target conversions. It is written that unless 100 of a particular variant was produced there is no model designation associated. I have been fortunate enough to have found a couple interesting Navy framed target conversions which I believe were Remington factory conversions. One is a 1901 target Navy variant with a serial 50xx on the upper tang only.

250518 1867 1901 5013 22 lr (2).JPG (909.45 KiB) Viewed 232 times

Lower tang and trigger guard are of the Russian spur configuration. Chambered in 22 LR.

250518 1867 1901 5013 22 lr (2).JPG (909.45 KiB) Viewed 232 times

250518 1867 1901 5013 22 lr (5).JPG (681.3 KiB) Viewed 232 times

250518 1867 1901 5013 22 lr (10).JPG (750.3 KiB) Viewed 232 times

The other appears similar to an sort of a morph of the 1887 & 1891 target chambered in 22 short with 3x matching serial 38xx on the upper/lower tangs and wood grip.

250518 1867 1891 3824 22s (1).JPG (955.92 KiB) Viewed 232 times

250518 1867 1891 3824 22s (7).JPG (907.68 KiB) Viewed 232 times

The 22 short has what I presume to be the original block as it has both the upright spru and "V" groove for sighting in its original form. Both are marked with correct inspector's P FCW and the latter is case hardened. The barrel has no marking but appears identical to the 1901 (10" part round) but without "Remington Arms".

250518 1867 1891 3824 22s (4).JPG (685.16 KiB) Viewed 232 times

250518 1867 1891 3824 22s (3).JPG (671.89 KiB) Viewed 232 times

Both are a hoot to shoot and very accurate with great triggers. I would love to see if there are others out there and learn from you all.

250518 1867 side by side (1).JPG (960.97 KiB) Viewed 230 times

250518 1867 side by side (2).JPG (905.4 KiB) Viewed 230 times

[Patbar]

Wow, beautiful gun in great condition !!

[ChuckD]

Hi Yellow dog,

First let me say I'm no expert on the R B Pistols. However in my 50 years of collecting Remington's, I have only seen the hooked trigger guard on Belgium made Rolling Blocks. The fact that it isn't serial numbered to the upper tang leads me to believe that Remington didn't make it. Of course it could have been a one off experimental. Just my observation.
It appears very well done and it's very unique. Enjoy it.

[yellow-dog1959]

ChuckD,
Thanks for your insights. I guess some of the fun of early rollers are the variations and sometimes lack of definition which leads to best guess or speculation...certainly the lower tang was replaced from the original 1870's manufacture when the .22 conversion was done decades later. My thinking was it was factory and special order but then who, knows! I do enjoy them...

I hope there are others who can post images of their target conversion RB's...