I recently purchased a Remington 14 1/2 in 44 WCF with a brass tag silver soldered to the right side stamped C2840, the roll mark on the barrel, the butt plate and the ammo indicator point to 1912 production. I spoke to Tom Hemphill and he stated that several other 14 1/2 rifles had been reported with serial #'s close to that range in 44-40 and one he thought was a DCP marked rifle.
I am curious whether the factory records, including the 1920 Chambers ledger and the subsequent 1948 Loomis inventory are still available for research.
The rifle sat in the Ilion archives for around 110 years and possibly catalogued by both Chambers and Loomis during their inventories.
The rifle came with a hangtag from Remington stating the serial number as C2840 and the back of the tag gives a building number and a location. The stock has 2 of the DYMO embossed tape labels placed many years ago, one is the model and caliber (14.5 44 WCF), the other is yet another control number (M00735).
Under the black tag are old small nail holes where it seems possibly brass tag was removed many years ago.
The rifle has several oddities for a 14 1/2 such excess barrel length, half mag, front sight turned backwards and a rear sight was never installed.
When compared to my early DCP rifle (C19193) there are subtle differences in machining on C1041 and the inspection/assembler marks are missing as is the barrel proof mark.
The bolt face and block are black from firing rounds and the face is covered in carbon, the bore seems almost pristine and shiny. She is in pretty good condition for her age but with a few handling scratches in bluing and stock.
It is my opinion the C1041 rifle would have been in the archive during both of the record keeping events mentioned above. I am looking for material to research what is available of Remington's early records as they may give some history on this particular rifle. I know most records were destroyed but maybe there is something out there to give this orphan some true identity.
Any help is greatly appreciated and info on who to contact at RSA for this type firearm research is welcomed.
Raynman