Rolling Block ID

I inherited a Rolling Block from my grandfather. The thing is completely devoid of details. It has a bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel at the 3 o'clock position. There is no serial number or caliber indication. The bayonet lug and lack of serial numbers have me scratching my head. If it was military why the lack of serial numbers? If civilian, why the bayonet lug? Any help would be appreciated.
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Looks like a Remington rolling block, It could be a Swedish roller or from another country that acquired the patent. Are there no other markings? What country are you located in, it might help to narrow it down. To find out the calibre you would have to do a chamber cast with Cerrosafe or something like it.

I think it is the Model 1879 Argentine Remington in 11 mm

Yeah it seems like some the responses I am getting are it is Argentine RB. I was planning on taking it to a gunsmith to get inspected and a chamber cast done. Just wanted to see if anyone knew of anything about it. Not sure if I will try and shoot it or not, especially seeing how expensive 43 spanish brass is!

As all the markings have been removed and the rifle has been refinished, you might consider installing a 45-70 barrel for shooting.Attachment 81393

I didn't think about that! Do you think these actions can handle 30-40 Krag? I have heard of some RB's being chambered in them. Also do you know of any good gunsmiths to do this work or a decent barrel manufacturer?

I would think that the 30-40 Krag in a 1879 black power action is not the best choice, you know you can get the original barrel lined to another caliber too which
would reduce cost.

Best single shot rolling block gunsmith that I know of is: Curt Hardcastle at HardCastle Custom Machine - Specialty Gunsmith

The actions made for smokeless ammo, 7X57mm Mauser 30-40 Krag, 7.62 Russian, 8mm Lebel etc. are not the same as the Black Powder rifles. The heat treatment is different. As for lack of serial number, Remington made military Rolling Blocks were not numbered.

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Originally Posted by mr.tickle

There is no serial number or caliber indication.

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Are you sure? Have you tried removing the butt and looking at the side of the tangs - that is a common place for a factory numbering.

I think the HP monogram is an inspector's mark.

It looks like one of the Modelo Argentino 1879 rifles that hit the US market in the 1960's. My dad and my brother each bought one out of a barrel at an Oklahoma gunshop, $11.95 each. They were arsenal refurbished during the Peron regime and the barrels were broached to about .446. They are quite accurate, especially with black powder. The brass will last forever if you don't overload it with smokeless, or let it sit with BP residue after shooting.

Good luck!

jn


jn

Many of those old rolling block Remingtons had the serial number on the left side of the tang; you have to remove the stock to read it. I have a Marlin Model 27S from around 1913 that is the same way, it has a serial number but the stock has to come off to read it. In both instances the sellers were unaware and marked the sales tickets as "NSN."

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Mr Tickle, You know, as rolling block rifles go-- that one looks in great shape. I would not mess with it if it were mine. Even with scrubbed markings it is quite collectible and could be good shooter. For the cost of barrel work and gunsmithing you could probably come close to buying a replica for shooting. Salt Flat

For the cost of rebarreling you could buy some brass and dies and just shoot it.

Use it as it is... Enjoy it and leave it unmolested for future generations.