model 1868 No. 1 Military Rifle made by Remington Arms

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This is a rolling block, not a bolt action so MODS feel free to move thread if incorrectly placed.

My dad has this rifle he wants to give me. First, I am wondering if he can send it to me with out an FFL? The following is all he knows about it:

The old rifle is called a model 1868 No. 1 Military Rifle made by Remington Arms. This Remington Rolling Block was part of an order placed by the Egyptian Government, chambered for the .43 Egyptian Cartidge. However, before the order could be delivered the Egyptians defaulted and a large part of the order was sold to France. It is well used and I suppose it has quite a history if it could talk...

Second, anybody want to add some info for me? I know absolutely nothing about this rifle. Here's a few crude pics he sent me, I'll post more if/when I finally get it.

[turbothis]

i believe being a non firearm it can be mailed any where in country ffl free.
nice rifle.:thumbup:

[Schultz]

It's over 100 yrs old so he should be able to ship it directly to you.

[chili]

What the other guys said. Usually the buyer has to enclose a copy of their driver's license as proof of age, but somehow this may not be the case! :wink:

When you get it please post some more pics.

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Thanks yall. I will let him know to send it on up to me. Will definitely post pics.

[mitchstoner]

That's a sweet treasure. Is your Dad a collector of old arms, or just acquired this one somewhere?

[Sapheit warrior]

I have one of these that was turned into a lamp. It was set in my grandfathers man cave until he died a long time ago. My mom took the lamp and then I took it apart. I found some information on these on Wikipedia but i don't remember what I searched out. If you look on the gun there should be a strange work that starts with a K. Search that word. I believe the K designation means that it was re-chambered because these older rifles were once breach loading muskets. After brass cased ammo came into mass production they were converted to the breach loading cartridge that is used today because it was eaiser (Cheaper)to convert then it was to replace all the guns. I'm not 100% on this because it sounds fishy after I read what i just posted.

Here is what Wikipedia says about 'Rolling Block"


A rolling block is a form of firearm action where the sealing of the breech is done with a specially shaped breechblock able to rotate on a pin. The breechblock is shaped like a section of a circle. The breechblock is locked into place by the hammer, thus preventing the cartridge from moving backwards at the moment of firing. By cocking the hammer, the breechblock can be rotated freely to reload the weapon.

The rolling block is one of the strongest actions ever designed. Due to 19th century metallurgical techniques, as with most vintage firearms produced for black powder cartridges, rifles and pistols manufactured using this action during the 19th and early 20th centuries may not be suitable for modern, high powered ammunition. Rolling block rifles were made for smokeless powder cartridges, like the 7x57mm Mauser, with modern steels in the early 20th century.

The Remington Rolling Block is the most successful single shot weapon ever developed. It is a strong and simple action, very reliable, and not prone to be jammed by dirt or rough usage. It was based in part on the split breech action produced by Remington during the Civil War. That design was re-engineered by Joseph Rider during 1865, and the first firearm based on it, the Model 1865 Remington Pistol, was offered for sale to the United States Army and Navy in 1866. While the Army turned the design down, the Navy committed to purchase 5000 pistols.

The first rifle based on this design was introduced at the Paris Exposition in 1867, and within a year it had become the standard military rifle of several nations.

Many earlier percussion rifles and muskets were converted to rolling block designs in the interim before the development of more modern bolt-action designs.


Hope that helps. Are you going to shoot it?

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That's a sweet treasure. Is your Dad a collector of old arms, or just acquired this one somewhere?

He's a cowboy and a not so old timer at heart that has somehow come into possession of it. He probably bought it because it's old. He has a mild attraction to guns but nothing serious.

Sapheit Warrior: Thanks for the info. I most likely will not shoot it unless I can find someone who knows quite a bit about it, and I have not held the old thing yet to give it a look over. I'm a little worried about bringing it up to the Pacific NW, rust is a demon up here. Still hasn't come in the mail either, but he said it's mine, so some day soon. My dad is retired and travels Colo, N. Mex, and Ariz. quite a bit by truck and 5th wheel, so it's hard to get him pinned down. Guess I'll give him a call tomorrow for encouragement.

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Well 5 months later, my father just took a trip out here to visit so he brought it. It is ROUGH. so much wear on the hand guards they are barely there. I would like advice on what to do with this now. Fix it, or leave it. The bore isn't terrible but that's about the only thing that isn't. It looks like someone took a wire brush to it and scrubbed off all the markings on the barrel and receiver. The only mark I can find is a "B" stamped on the left side of the barrel and a spot on the rear tang that may have something inscribed on it. The stock is crudely decorated, it's rusty, the rear sight is missing the riser, the hand guard is missing one retainer spring for the barrel bands, has a missing firing pin, a broken extractor spring, and the front sight is almost totally worn off. Enjoy the pics.

[Otis61]

Almost looks like it was decorated by a native american. I think I would just leave it. Maybe try to fix the sights if you want to shoot it. Most of the surfaces look beyond any help that you may be able to give them.

It could be a good conversation piece. Like trench art.