Original Danish M1867/96 Remington Rolling Block Infantry Rifle dated 1878 – Serial 53114 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 In 1896 they were withdrawn from infantry service, converted to centerfire cartridge and issued to coast and fortress artillerymen.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 back sight leaf. Left receiver flat is stamped with a Crown over the Royal Cypher over the mark M-1867. The right receiver wall is bare and the upper tang is marked KJØBENHAVNS TOIHUUS 1878 (Copenhagen Arsenal) with serial number 53114 on the barrel and on the underside of the butt stock. 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, which looks to be marked J R / 273, a unit we are not familiar with.

Condition of the rifle is very good, showing a nice patina of age typical of a rifle that was in service for a significant time. The bluing on the barrel is worn in places, and there is now some oxidation speckling in its place, which we did not clean to avoid disturbing the patina. The receiver, original bright steel, now has areas of staining and oxidation. The wood does have some scratches, chips, and dents as shown, but still presents very nicely. It does not look to have been arsenal reconditioned at any time, and is still proud over most of the metalwork.

The action cycles, with a functional extractor, and the mainspring is strong. The hammer is a bit out of adjustment though, and must be pulled back slightly for the rolling block breech to open and close correctly. The bore is excellent, with a bright finish and very crisp lands and grooves. This rifle was used very little, if at all. Both sling swivels are still present, though unfortunately the cleaning rod is missing.

A fine rifle worthy of any Remington or Scandinavian collection. Really a great example here!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1878
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

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, as this one was.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.