Description

SOLD – Offered is an early heavy barreled Remington No 1 Sporting Rifle in 45/70.  The Rolling Blocks, along withe the Sharps Model 1874, were the most popular rifles used by the buffalo hide hunters in the 1870s and 1880s.  Heavy Rolling Block rifles configured as buffalo guns are far rarer on the market today than the Sharps. If you are a collector of guns used in the American west, notably rifles used by the buffalo hunters, then this example deserves your consideration.

The No. 1 Sporting Rifle was offered in just about every black powder chambering that was produced during this period, from .22 to .50-140 Sharps. Remington also designed their own black powder rounds specifically for this rifle, in .40 and .44 centerfire. A dazzling array of accessories, such as special stocks, sights, triggers and barrels, were also made available. In the 1870’s Remington introduced a series of excitingly-named No. 1 Sporting Rifles, including the .46 Long Rimfire Deer Rifle, the .50-70 Government Buffalo Rifle, and the .45-70 Black Hills Rifle.

This rifle has a factory 26.5″ heavy octagon barrel marked “Remington & Sons, Illion NY”. It mesaured 1.25″ wide at the reciever and is slightly tapered to 1.05″ at the muzzle. The gun weighs approx 11 Lbs.  Standard patent date markings on the receiver. The top of the barrel is marked ” E Remington & Sons, Illion NY”.  The serial number is 10,6XX and matches on the buttplate, reciever tang and on the barrel under the forearm. Exact dates of manufacture for early Rolling Blocks are not known but an estimated 12,000 No 1 Sporting rifles were made. Remington began production in 1868 and while initially widely popular, orders for single shot rifles had slowed greatly by the late 1870s as repeating rifles became more available in heavier calibers.  I would estimate this rifle’s manufacture date between 1874 and 1876.

The heavy octagon barrel is larger than the receiver and measures 1.25 inches in diameter. The barrel is stamped “45” for caliber on the bottom ahead of the forearm. The barrel has a gray and brown patina with bluing remaining under the forearm. The bore is excellent; bright with strong rifling.

The stock has expected wear and exhibits a nice patina. There is a small crack at the left side of the upper tang and one behind the forend pewter cap that has been filled. These are shown in the attached pictures.

This piece has an attractive overall appearance and is all original, remaining in excellent shape for a 150 year old gun likely used during the latter years of the Texas and Montana buffalo hunts.

Click on the magnifying glass on the image to scan the gallery of pictures.