Remington Rolling block with unknown markings?

[rudybolla]

I think it is the Spanish model converted from .43 Spanish to Spanish Reformado. I think the R in the RV is for the Spanish word for "reconstituted" (converted?).

[JV Puleo]

I think what you have is pretty interesting... at one point we did think that the RV had something to do with "reconditioned" or "reformed" but it now looks as if the marking is associated with the Cuban Volunteers of the 10 Years War. The marking also shows up on sabers and Joslyn carbines (which we know were sold to the volunteers) so it can't have anything to do with a change of caliber. It should be a Remington-made gun. The caliber could be almost anything but .43 Spanish is very likely. It probably shouldn't be altered to the Reformado but I'm not certain of this... we've only known about this aspect of the RB story for a year or so and haven't had time to examine enough examples. It could easily be, and probably is, a souvenir of the Spanish American War.
George Layman's new Military RB book discusses the Cuban Volunteers at some length but at the time I don't think we had a good picture of the marking. The Cuban Independence movement was nowhere near as popular in Cuba as was implied in the American press... most of the troops recruited to put down the first revolution (1868-1878) were Cubans themselves, loyal to Spain.

Joe Puleo

[rudybolla]

This is new to me. But one thing I have learned about the study of rolling blocks, both foreign and domestic, is that just when you think you have a handle on the subject, someone throws a curveball or uncovers information completely refuting previous beliefs.

[oldremguy]

Hello,

Here are some photos of my rolling block rifle with the same markings.

P1010113 (2).jpg (98.75 KiB) Viewed 5444 times

P1010106 (2).jpg (100.5 KiB) Viewed 5444 times

P1010111 (2).jpg (55.2 KiB) Viewed 5444 times

This is what George Layman said about the markings on this gun a few years ago "The bubble like"flower" on the right chamber and the Fleur d Lis on the left chamber is the mark of the Ejercito Ultramar or the Spanish Colonial Overseas Army indicating it was issued in Cuba, or Puerto Rico or even in the Phillipines. "
Hope that helps sum.

Have a Good Day,
Matt

[JV Puleo]

Thanks Matt, that is really good as it really nails the fleur d'lis down as being a Spanish mark and associates it with Cuba and the volunteers as well.
Thanks again,

Joe P

[oldremguy]

Hello JV Puleo,

In your earlier post, you talked about the Cuban Volunteers of the 10 Years War. Here is a photo you might like.

!Byzy1B!!mk~$(KGrHqR,!j!Ew5Sp6dnhBMTPHBb!Hg~~_3.jpg (67.01 KiB) Viewed 5407 times

!Byzy5YgBGk~$(KGrHqN,!iUEw5v721,4BMTPHVqO+!~~_12.jpg (48.79 KiB) Viewed 5407 times

IMG_0004a.jpg (64.52 KiB) Viewed 5407 times

ON THE BACK OF THE PHOTO:
Guerrillero capturado Por los Mambises
en "Birin", una evocacion de la lucha emancipadora

Demostracion realizada por soldados mambises del Hamado
" cepo de campana". En Atares se lo aplicaban a los presos
politicos para obligarios a confesar.

Translated from Spanish to English

Guerrilla captured by the Mambi
in "Birin", an evocation of the struggle for freedom

Demonstration by soldiers of Hamado mambises
"bell trap. " In Atares apply it to prisoners
would force politicians to confess.

Mambises means

The plural for mambi, Cuba guerrilla fighter the
Ten Year's War (1868-1878) and the Independence War of 1895.
They were widnely viewed as heroes by the Cuba people for
thier willingness to sacrifice comfort to attain the independence
of thier country. They were noteworthy also for urging slaves to
join the stuggle. It was the mambises and thier tactics that drove
General Valeriano Weyler to adopt his inhumane and unpopular
Reconcentracion Policy.

Have a Good Day,
Matt

[JV Puleo]

Excellent photo... thanks very much.

JVP