Original Item. Only One Available. In really great condition, this Contract Remington Rolling Block Saddle Ring Carbine was made for the South American State of ARGENTINA of 1879. This is quite a scarce carbine to find in today’s market. The receiver tang is marked E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, N.Y., U.S.A, along with the patent information. The model and date information is listed on the barrel nocks form, and is clear:
MODELO ARGENTINO. 1879 E.N.
The E.N. abbreviation is for the Ejercito Nacional, or National Army in Argentina. There would normally be an R A above this, but the gun has been arsenal reblued, so the markings are faint. The side of the barrel chamber is is marked “R” for the .43 Spanish Reformado cartridge.
Around the late 1800s Argentina was a developing world power, and had one of the largest economies in the world. Like any growing power, it needed arms, and as there were not yet local producers up to the task, they contracted out for their weaponry. They would later replace the rolling blocks with the more modern Argentine Contract Mauser rifles towards the end of the 1800s.
The rifled bore shows clear lands and grooves in excellent condition with a bright finish, with just a bit of wear. The rear flip sight is intact, but loose. This entire rifle was arsenal refurbished in Argentina before being sold out of service, so it has a very nice blued finish with nice wood.
A great looking example of a scarce carbine, ready to display!
History of the Remington Rolling Block Rifle:
It was made in a variety of calibers, both rimfire and centerfire, including the 12.17×42 mm rimfire, 12.17×44 mm rimfire and 12.17×44 mm rimmed centerfire Swedish and Norwegian cartridges, .43 Spanish (11.15x58mmR), .50-70, 40-70,45-70, and later in .22 caliber. Later models were produced in .30-06 Springfield, 7×57mm Mauser, and 8×50mmR Lebel.
In 12.17x42mmRF and 12.18x44mmRF (two cartridges that were interchangeable), and towards the end of its service life also 8x58mmR Danish Krag centerfire, it served as the standard service rifle of the Swedish Army from 1867 to the mid-1890s (when it was replaced by the Swedish Mauser) and in Norway as the standard service rifle from 1867 to the mid-1880s (when it was replaced by the M1884 Jarmann). In .43 Spanish it was the chief service arm of the Spanish Army from 1870-1893, and was used by reserve and militia forces for many years thereafter. Many Rolling Block rifles were used by Argentina before being replaced in 1891 by the new 7.65mm Mauser, and were also widely used by Egypt and Mexico. The Remington rolling block also became the standard service rifle of the Danish Army. During the Franco-Prussian War, France acquired 210,000 Rolling Block rifles to make up for a shortage of the standard-issue Chassepot.
During World War I, the British Royal Navy purchased 4,500 Rolling Block rifles in 7mm Mauser from Remington’s leftover stock after production had ended, issuing them to the crews of minesweepers and Q-ships. In November 1914, production of the Rolling Block was resumed, in the form of a French contract for rifles in 8×50mmR Lebel, designated by France as “Fusil Remington modèle 1914”. 100,291 such rifles were delivered by 1916, and used to equip rear-line troops.
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: c.1879
Caliber: .43 Spanish “reformado”
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 20 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 36 Inches
Action type: Rolling Block with Rear Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot
Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.