I recently acquired an unusual Model 2 roller. The barrel and wood are trash, but the action is in pretty good shape. The block is for center fire and has a rotary extractor. It also extends above the top of the frame and has a "V" notch cut for a rear sight. The rotary piece evidently pulls a linear extractor back to extract the casing. The linear extractor that was in the gun had the rear broken off so I can't really tell how it was made. Both de Haas and Grant mention # 2's with rotary extractors. Does anyone have any more information on such an action or perhaps even own one?
Bill
Odd # 2 Rolling Block
From my experience your No. 2 is very typical, except for what you describe for the rear sight. I own four No. 2's and the .22 RF is the only one that has a "typical" Remington side slot extractor opperating directly off the block. My .25-20SS. .32 RF and .38 RF all extract cases using a side slot extractor opperated by a rotary-type arrangement on the block. This allows me to substitute the block from the .25-20SS for both the .32 RF (actually a .32 extra long) and the .38 RF blocks and shoot center fire ctgs. I use Bertram .300 Rook cases in the .32 XL RF and cut-down .38 Special for the .38 RF. Starline now makes .38 Colt brass.