Swedish M1867 rolling block Military Rifle……….SOLD

Remington Actioned Rolling block for Sweden

Firstly and most importantly this rifle is chambered in the original 12.7 x 42R (“R” denoting Rimfire) calibre.  Therefore exempt from licensing conditions, in that, it falls within section 58(ii) of the UK act.  Somehow it has escaped the later alterations carried out on most of the rolling blocks in the Swedish service.  This makes it a very rare and interesting piece of military history.  It is most probable that this is one of the earliest batch sent to Sweden by Remington as the serial number is so low (494) and it is not marked by either Husqvarna or Carl Gustafs on the action walls.  The integral upper tang of the receiver is Remington marked.   There is one other possibility, in that Remington also sent a batch of receivers to be completed in Sweden – it could be one of these?  What is certainly the case, is that the work was carried out by the Carl Gustafs Factory, as the breech end of the barrel shows the Swedish crowned “C” inspectors stamp.  On either side of that marking are the initials of the Swedish factory inspectors who finally passed the weapon for use.

The tang is marked as follows: “REMINGTONS.  ILION  N.Y. U.S.A. /PAT. MAY 3D NOV -5TH 1864  APRIL 17TH 1866 ”  Apart from those markings there are no other markings on the entirety of the receiver.  However, it shows strong case colour hardening.  The hammer and the rolling block are finished in the white and are just starting to go a little dark with mild oxidisation.  The barrel is dark but shows no traces of bluing.  Ramp rear sight and inverted “V” front sight.  The outer markings on the rear sight ramp have been stamped out and replacement ranges added.  There is a full length cleaning rod stored in a channel running the full length of the for-end.

There are flats on either side of the breech. The LHS is marked with the serial number which is repeated under on the fore-end.  Three barrel bands all marked with matching number.  Two sling swivels, the rear of which is mounted through the trigger guard.  The rifle is 53.1/4″ in overall length.  The barrel is 37.1/2″ long and has a side mounting bayonet lug which suggests a sword-type bayonet.  The barrel is an even grey brown colour all the way down.  As well as each having a matching serial number on the LHS of the barrel bands they are all the same hue of blue/grey, none of the screws have been bubbered.   Trigger pull is 13.3/4″.  The rifle retains its original pattern military stock – a North European Birch which is in very good condition considering the relative softness of this timber.  The butt-stock shows two armoury type repairs, one is the blanking-off of the unit disc marker and the other a repair plug for a lower sling swivel.  There is a contoured steel butt-plate which carries an unrelated number, “11924.”

The action displays fine case-colour hardening hues on all facets (in the right light) as does the upper tang.  Mechanically the action works extremely well and the sliding ejector is still operative on pulling back the rolling block.  When open it is possible to see quite clearly the original rim-fire firing pin still in position with no sign of later work to the component.Trigger pull is crisp for such an aged rifle.  The bore is very good with strong deep rifling and only the beginnings of frosting or corrosion within the groves whilst the lands remain clear.  There is one other number impressed into the fore-end on the RHS, with inspectors initials either side of it and that is “1890” – this could be the date the rifle was sold out of service.  This is a fine early rim-fire rifle in excellent condition, which would be a must in any collection, an important stage in the development of military arms.

£ 645……..SOLD

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