Take Down Rolling Block Action - What Do I Have?

[36g]

Purchased a rolling block action but have not been able to identify make or model. Obviously parts are missing. It doesn't seem to fit with the traditional Remington models. It is a take down model and appears to be a rimfire, possibly a .25 or .32. Markings are few with one proof inside the tang and a marking on each side or the receiver by the take down lever.

Suggestions?

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[Jedman]

That’s a new on me ? It looks a little like a Crescent action but yours has the bottom tang non removable and part of the action casting and the takedown arrangement is different.
Also the front face of your action looks to have a rounded extension with possibly a grub screw that would bear against the barrel tenon, I have never seen this before.
It is a rimfire action and by the looks of some of the stamps on the action I would think it to be not made in the USA. Sorry that’s little help.

Jedman

[36g]

That’s a new on me ? It looks a little like a Crescent action but yours has the bottom tang non removable and part of the action casting and the takedown arrangement is different.
Also the front face of your action looks to have a rounded extension with possibly a grub screw that would bear against the barrel tenon, I have never seen this before.
It is a rimfire action and by the looks of some of the stamps on the action I would think it to be not made in the USA. Sorry that’s little help.

Jedman

The screw at the front is holding a leaf spring that is probably for the trigger as it extends back in that direction. It looks like the takedown lever is the only thing that would hold the barrel in place (other than the slip fit of the barrel into the receiver.)

[36g]

Okay, I'm finding some info on the proof marks. Crossed mark DF of an arrow was deposited the 12.08.1881 by DUMOULIN BROTHERS boulevard of Sauvenière, 89 in LIEGE (BE 1877/1894). Perron (little tower): inspection (16.06.1853 until today).

[edp2k]

The extractor has a cutout that matches the rim diameter of whatever cartridge this is chambered for.
Next, determine if this is chambered for a rim fire or center fire
(my eye ball says that the FP in the pic would impact the center of the cartridge, not the rim).
Take the rim diameter and RF/CF info and look that up in some tables of cartridge dimensions,
for example "Cartridges Of the World (COTW)", to find out exactly what cartridge this is chambered for.

Liege made both commercial and military guns, however if the lever truly actuates a take-down mechanism,
then of course it would be a commercial gun, likely chambered in a sporting cartridge.

[Gewehr-Guy]

That extractor looks rather large to be for a .22 or.32 rimfire. Check it with a .38 spl rim, and if that looks close it was probably for a 9mm garden gun.

[36g]

A .32-20 brass will almost fit into the extractor - it would need to be opened up just a bit for that to happen. It's definitely a rimfire as the firing pin tip fits into a small cutout in the bottom edge of the extractor. Confirmed by looking at the bolt/block face when the block is fully forward and looking into the action from the front.

[GhostHawk]

Picture # 6 shows a bold "32"
My guess would be a # 5 takedown in .32 rimfire.

I have one on my wall that was adjusted by gunsmith to centerfire. Then lined to .32sw long.
It is ok accurate at 25 yards but falls off rapidly after that. Makes a nice wall hanger and conversation piece.

[36g]

My thought is to convert to centerfire and go .32-20.

[marlinman93]

Picture # 6 shows a bold "32"
My guess would be a # 5 takedown in .32 rimfire.

I have one on my wall that was adjusted by gunsmith to centerfire. Then lined to .32sw long.
It is ok accurate at 25 yards but falls off rapidly after that. Makes a nice wall hanger and conversation piece.

"#5 takedown"? What is that model? As far as I know in Remington rifles the #4 was a takedown, and #5 was the full sized smokeless action. This not being a Remington, wouldn't be either a #5 or a #4.

[GhostHawk]

All I am going by is what was listed in the description on gunbroker. Could be totally off base.
But yours looks like mine. Take down lever, etc.

[36g]

This one is not a Remington, but rather a Belgian made version. As a copy it doesn't follow the Remington design exactly with several screw/pin holes being in different locations and the trigger guard being separate from the tangs.

[John Taylor]

I have a frame just like yours but don't have any guts for it. It is the same size as the #4 Remington and most likely was chambered for 32 rim fire. It would not be safe with 32-20. Mine is not a takedown model and appears to have a small screw that holds the barrel from the left side.

[36g]

I'm confused. If not safe for .32-20 how did Larry Potterfield's (Midway Inc.) hold together?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFxjX4jMkU

[Jedman]

I watched the video where Larry Potterfield converted a No. 1 Rem. rolling block to 32-20 and that is a safe conversion as the no. 1 is a full size rifle action where your action is apparently a small rimfire action like the no. 4 Remington action which is a much smaller , lighter action with parts that are miniature compared to the no. 1 size.

Jedman

[eastbank]

32-20 way to hot for that small rb action.

[36g]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like a rework to .22 LR will be in order.

[Jedman]

36g. If you rebuilt the action and got it to where the breech block and hammer lock up was real solid you could probably make it a 32-20 or smaller 32 centerfire if you shot it with black powder ? That’s what it was designed for.

Jedman

[36g]

The 32-20 loads that I use are for a '73 Winchester clone and are at BP pressures.

[marlinman93]

I'm confused. If not safe for .32-20 how did Larry Potterfield's (Midway Inc.) hold together?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFxjX4jMkU

Huge difference between a #1 full sized action, and the little #4 sized actions. Plus the full sized were threaded barrels, not a smooth shanked takedown setup.

[Gewehr-Guy]

That action would make a nice little .32 S&W short or maybe even .32 Long. If you build it , can I borrow your chamber reamer?:smile:

[John Taylor]

I made one of my #4 solid frame into a 32 S&W short. The original 32 rim fire was loaded with 9 grains of black as near as I can find out. I don't think the S&W short has enough room for that load.