Hi. New to the forum. I really need help to identify this rifle. It is a Whitney rifle, rolling block action. It reads ".38 C.F.C." on the underside of the barrel. I have read that the patent on this rifle was bought out by Remington in the early 1900's. I don't know if this is the case or not, but most searches seem to correlate with the Remington name sooner or later. The Remmy rolling blocks loook identical to it in pics, so this may be a fact. Anyway, the folks around here are stumped. Few people have really ever heard of this version of the .38 cartridge, and some have suggested that it is in fact a blackpowder round. A guy at the club told me that this was the first version of the .38 rifle round that was not rim-fire. If anyone has any knowledge of these rifles, I would appreciate the benifit of your knowledge. It has a hex barrel that is 21" long, sights have been removed at some point. I believe it is the sporting rather than the Military version.
I am wondering about the following
If it is fireable, is it possible to load ammo for it?
What year (approximately) was it made?
Worth?
I had another member at the club tell me that rolling blocks in theis cal are exceedingly rare. I am very curious about it. It belonged to my Grandfather, so I am not plannning to part with it, just curious as to it's history. Also if it is rare, what I should be insuring it for.
Thanks again.
Whitney .38 CFC rolling block rifle
Whitney rolling blocks are very cool. I am not certain of the rarity, but certainly fewer around than Remington. Whitney initially developed a "rolling block" with a two piece or split block, so as not to infringe on Remington. At some point they gave up the charade. I recently had a Whitney sporter in .45-60 that was virtually identical to a Remington, down to the lines of the receiver. Your rifle, if it has a one piece breech block, was made between 1880 and 1888.