Original Danish M1867/96 Remington Rolling Block Rifle dated 1882 with Saber Bayonet – Serial 60787 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Danes elected to license the Remington design for manufacture in Denmark at the Copenhagen arsenal, which they did in a fairly large quantity. The Danish model first utilized a rimfire cartridge and that stayed in service well into the smokeless era. However, with the adoption of the 8mm M1889 Krag-Jorgensen the need to update or abandon the Remington became acute. In 1896 they were withdrawn from infantry service, converted to centerfire cartridge and issued to coast and fortress artillerymen. At that time a new much longer rear ladder sight was also fitted to the rifles.

After World War II a large quantity were sold surplus back to the US where these type first entered civilian hands, being misleadingly sold in large quantity as .45-70 Rolling blocks!

This rifle features a 3.25″ long backsight leaf. Left receiver flat is stamped with a Crown over the Danish Royal Cypher over the mark M-1867. The right receiver wall is bare and the upper tang is marked KJØBENHAVNS TOIHUUS 1882 (Copenhagen Arsenal) with serial number 60787 on the barrel. The stock rear of the trigger guard has a different serial number, 71114, so this rifle may have been arsenal restored at some time. The rifle bears the Danish Crown on the barrel, barrel bands, rear and front stock, and other components. There is also a rear stock disk, where regimental markings were sometimes added.

Condition of the rifle is very good, showing a nice patina of age typical of a well cared-for rifle. Most of the original metal finish is intact, with the expected wear. The wood does show wear and the expected denting from service, but no repairs that we can see. The stocks match in color, and are probably beech wood. The bore is excellent, with a bright finish and very clear lands and grooves. This rifle was fired very little, if at all, so most of the wear is just from age and handling.

This particular rifle comes complete with the correct issue bayonet, a Yataghan-style saber bayonet of German manufacture. The ricasso of the blade is marked with F.W. HOLLER / SOLINGEN, the marking of F. W. Höller, Waffenfabrik, a maker in the legendary “City of Blades”, Solingen. This firm was founded in 1866, and first registered in Solingen in 1883, so this is a very early produced bayonet for the firm. Like many German edged weapon makers, they had a very strong export business. FOr more information please see J. Anthony Carter’s work GERMAN KNIFE AND SWORD MAKERS, pages 284-285.

This bayonet also has a leaf spring catch, and not a coil spring, indicating production prior to 1884. Along with the Danish Crown on the ricasso and pommel, this is definitely the correct type of bayonet for this rifle. It is also marked on the cross guard with Danish regimental markings: 19B. 137, (19th Battalion, Weapon 137) and bears serial number 6322 on the opposite side. The leather of the grips still shows the original checkering, though it is worn, and the leather has shrunk somewhat with age. The blade is in excellent condition, and the included scabbard just looks good, though it is unfortunately missing the end fitting, lost to the ages, as shown. It mounts securely to the rifle, with no locking issues.

Centerfire converted rifles chamber a cartridge near to the US Govt. .45-70, the 11.7x51R, a bit shorter and a bit larger. A .45-70 will function but will expand at the base and may overcrimp at the neck, not safe conditions. The rimfire cartridge was somewhat shorter but usable in the converted rifles. In fact, after conversion, the rifle could fire either rimfire or centerfire ammunition.

The Danish model first utilized a rimfire cartridge which stayed in service well into the smokeless era. This created a potential compatibility problem, rimfire cartridges won’t fire in a central fire rifle, and center-fire cartridges won’t operate in a rimfire rifle. However, if you look carefully, you will see that the breech block of the Danish Remington Rolling Block has two firing pin holes, one for center fire and one at the bottom of the breech block face for rimfire. The firing pin is fairly easily reversible, for use of the rifle with whatever (rimfire or central fire) ammunition is available.

The first 30,000 Danish Rolling Blocks were Danish built on Remington made actions. Thereafter they were constructed under license in Copenhagen, Denmark.

A fine rifle worthy of any Remington or Scandinavian collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1882
Caliber: 11×41.5mmRF or 11.7x51R
Cartridge Type: Rimfire Cartridge or Centerfire
Barrel Length: 35 Inches
Overall Length: 50.5 Inches
Action type: Rolling Breechblock External Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot

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