Remington Rolling Block, .32 Rimfire value?

[nonferrous]

I have a Remington Rolling Block mod 1 1/2 .32 Rim-fire Rifle in pretty nice condition, most of the finish is still good, the Stock is nice as well. It has a Hex Barrel, it's all there and everything seems to function perfectly.
The Barrel is 26 inches from the muzzle to the back of the receiver. The patents stamped on the receiver are from May 1864 to Sept 1874, the only other marking I can find other than Remington is 32 and the serial number.
Merz Antiques has one listed that is not quite as nice, finish is worse and Mine does not have as many botched Screws.
It has a different fore-end, mine does not have a metal cap. They have it at 2275.00 which seems a little dear, I guess that's why they call it fishing, not catching.
Could anyone give me an idea of what it is worth. I have owned it long enough so I guess it's off to Gun Broker, but I would like to have some idea of a starting point.
Thanks.

[Jedman]

Remington 1 1/2 rolling block rifles are quite scarce. I bought one a couple years ago that someone had converted from rimfire to 38 spl. centerfire by rebarreling it with a barrel that has the chamber end off center and the muzzle end on center. I only paid a couple hundred dollars for it and it shoots great.
One that is still all original and has some case colors , blue, and a good bore would be sought after by collectors. I can't give you even a good ball park idea as my firearms " blue book " doesn't give values for different calibers and I would think the rimfires would be worth less as a munition is near impossible to get but I could be wrong. They are a nice balance of size and weight and look better than the full size no. 1 or 5's do.
I believe there are knowledgeable people on this forum who will know a better idea what it is worth but like all things old or collectible it's all about condition.

Jedman

[John Taylor]

Had a customer that paid $2500 for a #1& 1/2 and it had rust in the bore. Bunch of people told him not to line it because he would loose all collector value. I deal with several collectors and they would never buy one for that much with rust in the bore. They want something that looks new or they will buy something cheap and put money into restoring it. There is a #1 on Gunbroker listed at $2,200 but no bids. Guns America has a #1 in 40-50 for $2,995.
Most collector look at it as an investment, if they can't get their money back they will pass.

[marlinman93]

I have a really nice one with good case colors, and bluing. Perfect wood, and a Beech combination front sight too. It's in .22 Long, and I bought it from a seller at the Big Reno Gun Show. I gave $1450 and thought I stole it. But a .32 Rimfire is the least desirable of all calibers for a #1 1/2.
I'd never compare any prices that Leroy Mertz has on his guns to real world prices. I think he's running a museum, as he certainly can't sell a lot of guns at his prices. I use to buy from Leroy a couple decades ago, but lately he's gone crazy on his pricing.

[nonferrous]

Thanks Guys, this helps. I guess the best way is to test the market on GB and go from there.

[sharps4590]

Wow...those are some steep prices for around here. Last fall a very nice Remington in 32 RF went for about $450.00 at auction, with a near pristine bore. 'Course, bear in mind where I am. Probably not 5 people out of the 200+ who were in attendance knew what it was.

[Jedman]

Wow...those are some steep prices for around here. Last fall a very nice Remington in 32 RF went for about $450.00 at auction, with a near pristine bore. 'Course, bear in mind where I am. Probably not 5 people out of the 200+ who were in attendance knew what it was.

Are you sure it was a no. 1 1/2 ? Remington made rolling block models 1, 1 1/2, 2, 4 and some consider the no. 6 a rolling block all in 32 RF.
None of them have the value of a no. 1 1/2.

Jedman

[nonferrous]

I cannot seem to be able to post a pic, have done it before, but can't get it done.gt

[nonferrous]

Another try[ATTACH=CONFIG]238469

[tim338]

The Rolling block in the photo is a #2 not a 1 1/2.

[Jedman]

nonferrous, Tim is correct your rifle is a no. 2. To me the no. 2 is the best looking and elegant of all the Remington rolling blocks.
Due to the less rarity, I would value your rifle around $ 500.00.

Jedman

[marlinman93]

#2 Rolling Blocks wont get what a #1 1/2 will get, but that's a very nice #2! I'd be all over it for $500, even in .32RF! I personally think it's worth more than $500 from what I see of #2 prices at shows. I'd say it would be around $700-$750 on someone's table, and expect it to sell for around $600-$650.
If it were a .22 or any CF caliber the price would be up around $1,000 and maybe a bit more. #2's are pretty hot in recent years.

[nonferrous]

Thanks for the comments and info. I did not know the Model, I have never seen another Model 2. From what I see by handling the gun and working the action, it must have been a superstar in it's day just judging by the feel and balance.
Thanks again

[marlinman93]

The #2 was not a huge seller for Remington, but that wasn't because of any flaw in the design. In fact the lower sales were due to the cost of making such a unique Rolling Block version. The #2 was based on the existing Rolling Block pistol design, and that's why the frame has those beautiful sculpted curves to the front and rear of the receiver edges. Parts also interchange internally between the #2 and the pistols, so Remington saw it as a plus.
But the #2 Remington was not cheap to build, so costs made it more expensive than even some larger actions like the #1 and #1 1/2. The higher price of the #2 made profits lower for Remington and even with a lower profit margin the price was still high enough to keep sales lower than competitor's similar sized guns.
The #2 is one of my favorite of all Rolling Blocks. I could easily make a collection out of only #2's if it wasn't for my interest in shooting farther and needing bigger calibers.

[nonferrous]

Thanks, sorry about the pictures, I did a good job recording my project of smelting lead on my dock a few years ago, but I lost the touch. I think I got it back now tho.
Thanks again

[ndnchf]

I have three #2 rolling blocks, two are in .32 extra long rimfire, the other in .32-20. I'm no expert, but all the 32 rimfire #2s I've examined were .32 extra long. The #4s were chambered in the shorter .32 rimfire cartridge. I make my own .32 extra long rimfire cartridges, its great fun to shoot.

[sharps4590]

Jed, no sir, I am not certain. I was in the midst of chemo therapy and am perhaps lucky I even remembered it was 32Long RF.

[Jedman]

Jed, no sir, I am not certain. I was in the midst of chemo therapy and am perhaps lucky I even remembered it was 32Long RF.

If you are addressing me I am not sure what you are referring to.

Jedman