November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2021
Type 1 Transformed Remington Rolling Block rifle. In the late 1860s and early 1870s, Springfield, Remington, and others were making rolling block rifles using Remington actions and fitting them to surplus muskets for sale to South America and US Militias. Known rifled muskets that were used were Springfield 1861s, 1863s, Remington 1862 "Zouaves", and M1841 "Mississippi Rifles". After thorough research and due to the configuration, this Remington Transformed Rifle does not appear to be constructed from any of the above-mentioned rifle muskets, but instead appears to be assembled from parts of a Gillam and Miller Confederate rifle musket. The 32" round barrel is chambered in .52 caliber rimfire with added M1855 style rear sight and underbarrel bayonet lug for a socket type bayonet. Barrel was shortened, sleeved to .52 caliber with 3-groove rifling, blued, and breechblock was converted from centerfire to rimfire. Front sight is missing but appears to have been a brass blade which is consistent with the configurations of Gillam and Miller Confederate rifled muskets. Forearm is consistent in form to the Gillam and Miller rifled musket, with rounded brass nosecap secured by 2 brass rivets and is in 2-barrel band configuration with barrel bands made of brass. Ramrod channel is still present and was not filled in at time of conversion. Front barrel band has front sling swivel and both barrel bands are retained with clamping screws. Inside of forearm is crudely marked with assembly number "206" which matches the underside of the barrel and on the iron butt plate. Underside of barrel is also stamped with "188" assembly number. Upper and lower action tangs are serial numbered "40163" underneath stockline. CONDITION: Good, with most of the applied bluing remaining with scattered heavy machine and handling marks. Brass barrel bands and nosecap retain a pleasing mustard patina with rear barrel band showing evidence of polishing. Stock and forearm are good with heavy handling marks, a hairline crack at rear barrel band, and filled in section near lower tang. Buttplate is proud to stock. Action is crisp and tight. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. This is a very early and unique example of a post-Civil War era transformed Rolling Block rifle with construction that is uniform to Gillam and Miller rifled muskets. TON