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How can you tell the difference between the actions? I recently picked up two of them, one was stamped 1880, and was in the white. the other one I gave to my Son, and that one was rebarreled with a heavy octagon barrel, I believe it was done by Nurmrich Arms. Both were chambered 45/70.
Look here, http://www.rollingblockparts.com/
The older actions for 45-70 will be the #1 and #1 1/2. The later action will be the #5. If you happen upon a #7 you got something that is rare.
According to the pics, it's a toss-up between numbers 1 and 6, thanks for taking the time John.
later ones safe for smokeless have a small (dia.) firing pin
What would be considered a small diameter?
With the little info you have posted they could be anything. Especially considering all the ones that have been converted over the years. You used to be able to buy 45-70 and 444 marlin barrels for the rolling blocks from Numrich.
People have shot sensible smokeless loads out of trapdoors for decades, you can do the same with black powder rollers with the hammers that pivot behind the breech block.
The firing pin diameter is not an ideal identification method to go by (again due to the conversions the holes could have been bushed or welded up) and the differences are subtle especially between a No 1 and a smokeless 1897. On an unaltered 1897 smokeless action it will have have a different receiver profile (a gradual curve from the rear of the receiver ring with no releif cuts). You cant go by the patent dates on the 1897s.
most of the sporting rifles had lower and more pleasing line in the hammer spur and thumb piece on the block