Difference between the Remington and the Whitney TYPE I

[majorfs45]

Just sort of curious of the differences between the early Whitney rolling block and the Remington rolling block. I know once Remington let the patent run out, Whitney went to making almost the same as the Remington, but there was something that allowed them to get around the original patent in their first and improved models. Anyone have some knowledge in this direction?

[ehull]

The Remington system has a Geiger Patent two part breech: a rotating breech block and a hammer/tumbler which locks the breech block in place. The early Whitney is based on the Laidley Patent. It has a four part system: a hammer, a separately rotating brace block (pivoted on the same pin as the hammer), a breech block, and a separately rotating lever (pivoted on the same pin as the breech block) which moves the brace block to unlock. It's claim to fame is that the block was locked closed even with the hammer full cocked.

[majorfs45]

Well put! Thanks for the reply. There is a nice article in the June 2012 issue of Single Shot Exchange magazine talking some on Whitney Rolling Block I found too. It has the breakdown of the two actions also. Great read!

Did the hammer also aid to the locking of the bolt once the trigger was pulled and it rotated under the block or was the brace lock the only thing that locked the bolt in place?

[ehull]

The brace piece was the only lock to the breech.