Argentino M1879 Rolling Block. Is it worth restoring?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Joel, try your Google link again!
This is what it shows me:

Argentino M1879 Rolling Block. Is it worth restoring?7 posts - 3 authors
Rolling Block in .43 Spanish (go to keep the Google hit rate up!) Sorry! Forgot to write Jamison .43 Spanish for Google's benefit ...

Up to No. 4 now!

If you would like some advice on how to fix the hinge on your "hair-loom" shotgun, please post a couple of pictures showing details of the hinge components. Above all, a close up of the existing pin. Then I can give you some "spoon-feeding" about adjusting (more likely: replacing) it.

Patrick

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[killforfood]

Up to No. 4 now!

That right there's pretty funny

Well the progress on my M1879 Argentine Remington Rolling Block (Google plug) has slowed somemwhat.
Everything that I need to start reloading the .43 Spanish (Google plug) is on order except the Jamison .43 Spanish Brass (Google plug).
I ran out of cash and had to decide between, Shooting The .43 Spanish Rolling Block by Croft Barker (Google plug) or buying the Jamison .43 Spanish Brass (Google plug)
I decided knowledge before action was the wiser choice.
I will place the order for the Jamison .43 Spanish Brass (shameless Google plug) on the 15th.

I’m getting a better feel for the “boning up” process. I haven’t applied any more boiled linseed oil to the stock for four or five days now. I’m still seeing oil come up in a couple small places as I burnish across those areas. I will try again today and if it’s dry, my next application will need to be lighter. I’m wetting my rag with about half and half Turpentine to oil ratio. I’m confident that the last application soaked in very deep (maybe to deep) and that’s why it’s so slow to dry.
The first application was very rewarding but I can tell now that this is a process of diminishing returns. Perseverance will win the day though.

Acquiring the 2Fg Goex Black Powder turned into a rather interesting adventure.
The shop, er, uhm… The barn is located up in Corbett Oregon, out past the cabbage patches and Horse pastures on a dead end gravel road. Perfect! My kind of place. At first glance there is just an old weathered barn perched on the side of a steep hill. The door was open and I wandered in to find the usual old tractors and well used implements scattered about. If not for the signs welcoming me into a side door, I would have carefully backed out thinking I was trespassing. Bob greeted me at the door with a hearty “come on in”. It’s a very small shop but crammed full of every thing you could ever want for muzzle loading. I only had enough cash to buy the Black Powder and was bummed when I spied a cleaning jag that would fit my new 3/8” brass rod. Bob just handed me the jag and his business card and said “mail me the cash”! You will never see that kind of trust in a big city store. He also dug around in his possible bag and gave me a couple round balls to slug my bore with. Nice guy, I highly recommend him.
Muzzleloading and More

If you would like some advice on how to fix the hinge on your "hair-loom" shotgun, please post a couple of pictures showing details of the hinge components. Above all, a close up of the existing pin. Then I can give you some "spoon-feeding" about adjusting (more likely: replacing) it.

I think the hinge pin is ok but the locking lug is well worn and prevents the action from closing tightly. I think it will require welding and re-fitting. The M1879 Argentine Rolling Block (Google plug) is my first priority and I will only fiddle with the shotgun as time allows.

Joel

[Patrick Chadwick]

I’m wetting my rag with about half and half Turpentine to oil ratio.

I think I wrote: a rag moistened with turpentine - not wet. Look at my earlier postings.
So taper off the turpentine! It only has to be a trace, to stop the drop of BLO forming a sticky blob in one spot.
You are right about diminishing returns - go to once a week until the new year, then once a month for ever (I kid you not!). No - I am kidding - the next year will do - you are making up for a century of non-maintenance.

I think the hinge pin is ok but the locking lug is well worn and prevents the action from closing tightly. I think it will require welding and re-fitting.

If so, you're right!

[killforfood]

Patrick,

All of my mail order goodies have arrived!
1. Jamison .43 Spanish brass 20pc
2. 3/8” brass rod
3. Bullets, 439" diameter, 370 grain, round nose from Lyman 439-186 mold, SPG lube, 50pc
4. 2Fg Goex black powder
5. LEE .43 Spanish reloading dies
6. Croft Barker book, Shooting the .43 Spanish Rolling Block
7. Leather oil dye for stock touchup
8. Thompsons Bore Butter and SPG Bullet Lube

I also have plenty of .357 brass and a small feed store syringe from the last time we wormed the dogs. I’ll have to check on the 30 carbine brass. I likely have some but just don’t recall for sure.

I’m getting very excited to shoot the old Rolling Block for the first time!!!
My usual shooting place up in the woods is probably well buried in snow by now so I may have to come up with a plan B. I don’t normally shoot at ranges but I know enough folks that do that I should be able to work something out as a guest.
If time allows I’ll slug the bore and try to get some updated pictures posted in the next couple days. My work schedule has been brutal lately so no promises.

Joel.