Info on a rolling block

[nate]

Hello all, I recently aquired a rolling block rifle and would appreciate any info I can get about it. I haven't cleaned it up yet for fear of damaging the rifle. the overall lenght is 50 7/8". the barrel lenght is about 33 5/8". The encription reads "REMINGTONS ILION N.Y. U.S.A. PAT MAY 3 D NOV. 16TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1866" at least that's what I can make out. There's a * and an L stamped on the reciever and on the 3 barrel clasps from reciever to the end of the barrel there is a U a 4 and a J. There appears to be a 1 *J and a 6 etched into the stock just past the trigger guard. I tried to upload some pictures, but didn't have much success. I would appreciate any info on the gun and will post some pics if that helps with a little guidance. Thanks for your time. Nate

[oldremguy]

Hello Nate,

Pictures of your gun would help in trying to determine what type it could be.
Your rifle has the last patent date of 1866, this would indicate that it could of been made from 1867 to the mid 1870's. The very early made rifles had a concave dish in the breech block, is photo below.

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Also thay had a spring loaded firing pin, the pin was held in place by a screw in the side of the breech block, see photo below.

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They also would have barrel band springs, holding the barrel band on, see photo below.

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Does your rifle have a bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel, near the front sight or not?
This could help identify the rifle.
Hope this helps some.

Have a good day,
Matt

[nate]

Thanks for the reply Matt. I've been trying to get back to you for quite some time, but I was having trouble posting on the forum due to my browser. I think I was able to attach some pictures. The rifle does have a screw to hold in the spring of the firing pin, but everything else you mentioned doesn't seem to apply. I hope the pictures will help. Thanks for your time.

Nate

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[nate]

Here are some more pictures

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[nate]

and a few more. What a difference when I'm not using AOL. Any advice on what I should clean it up with?

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[tjack]

Nate,
Your rifle appears to be a standard export model, probably in 11mm Spanish caliber. The metal looks pretty clean already. I use a solvent for cleaning the metal on my rifles. With rolling blocks I completely disassemble them and clean all the metal parts then oil and reassemble. I would not touch the wood. Old rifles are supposed to look used. If you plan on shooting it, have it checked and make a chamber cast to be sure of cartridge to use. Slug your bore so you can use a proper diameter bullet. If the bore is in good condition it will probably make a good shooter.
Tom

[nate]

Thanks for the information. Any recommendations on the kind of solvent, or will regular Hoppes work. And the question you all probably get the most. What would be an estimate on the gun's value?

[tjack]

Hoppes or any good gun solvent would work fine. Can't/won't make an estimate on value. Sometimes there is a world of difference between photos and "in the flesh". To me, bore condition is very important and there are about 3,000 miles between "mint" and trashed. I've seen too many guns at gun shows where the bore was described as "great" and it looked pretty sad to me.