Rolling block actions

[dgslyr]

How can I tell a blackpowder action from a newer one that was made for smokeless powder after 1900?I ask because There is a roller I have seen at several gun shows for some time now,with a Numrich barrel in 444.If its a somkeless action maybe I could find a use for it.I don't think I would or should load it to the same level s my 444 Marlin.If it's a blackpowder action I'll leave it alone.The patent dates on the tang are all from the 1870's.It has a serial number on the receiver.

[Ed in North Texas]

Which way does the lever on the block "point" - pretty much straight up, or definitely out to the right side?

With an 1870 latest patent date I'd almost bet on #1, the #5 was introduced in 1897. But still, the easiest way to tell (if blocks were not switched, they interchange) is the lever on the #1 is like this:

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2952

And the #5 like this:\

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Remington-Rolling-Block-5-7mm-mauser.cfm?gun_id=100112504

Enlarge the 4th picture down to easily see the difference.

[bubba.50]

with the numrich barrel i'm gonna guess it's an old egyptian action. they were one of remington's biggest customers for rolling blocks. tons of them came back into the country in the 60's and numrich sold rebuild kits for them in either .444marlin or 45-70. the kits were about $45.00 and a gun for the action was about another $15.00 or so. for what it's worth, bubba.

[Chicken Thief]

with the numrich barrel i'm gonna guess it's an old egyptian action. they were one of remington's biggest customers for rolling blocks. tons of them came back into the country in the 60's and numrich sold rebuild kits for them in either .444marlin or 45-70. the kits were about $45.00 and a gun for the action was about another $15.00 or so. for what it's worth, bubba.

That sir just ruined my day and made me sad. So many fine pieces of history chopped to pieces. Well it is the sign of the times i guess. You never apresiate what you got until it's gone.

[dgslyr]

The block looks kinda like the #5 but the roll mark on the tang is nothing like the one on the #5.After looking at those pic's I think maybe it's what Bubba says it is. I guess the dealer selling it will have it for a while yet.Thanks for the replies.

[bubba.50]

hey chicken thief, for what it's worth, after ridin' around in a camel-scabbard for about a hundred yrs, eatin' sand, and all the "top-notch" care they received along with their steady diet of corrosive primed blackpowder ammo about all they were good for was an action.

[frnkeore]

If the action seems in good shape (Pins are tight and nothing flops around) I wouldn't be afraid of the BP versions. I have 3 RB's two sporters and a 1897 7mm that I had rebarreled to 45/70 sporter. I've read a lot and the conclusion that most authors have on the RB's is that the 1897 & 1901 smokeless 7mm's were made of the same steel as the BP actions. The threads are larger on the 7mm's 1.05 vs .975 but, not a big deal.

Be ready to improve the trigger pull, most are in the 18 - 24 lb range, with lots of creep.

If it looks good and the price is right, give it a home.

Frank

[bubba.50]

i have an old swede 12.7x44 that's had a 50-70 chamber cut. it was made in 1871 i shoot smokeless(loaded to bp levels) and blackpowder loads in it. i wouldn't be afraid to shoot anything in it that i could stand the recoil of.

+1 on that trigger pull. i had an old military 43cal that i was actually afraid was gonna break tryin' to pull the trigger.

[DHB]

dgslyr,
It can never hurt to have another roller. What about the price if it's good enough snap it up, if you have to you can ALWAYS load down.
DHB