Physical Description:
This .50 caliber smoothbore single shot rimfire pistol was made by Remington Arms Company. It has a rolling block breech, a spur type trigger, and walnut grips and forend.
There is an anchor stamp on the barrel. On the side is “P./F.C.W”. The side plate is stamped “REMINGTONS ILION N.Y. U.S.A/PAT MAY 39 NOV 15TH 1864 April 17TH 1866”.
History:
The Remington Arms Company was established by Eliphalet Remington in 1816 when he purchased land at Steele’s Creek in New York. That same year, Eliphalet’s son produced the company’s first rifle. The Company stayed at that location until 1831 when it began expanding its business.
Many different pistols and rifles made Remington famous. The rolling block pistol was one of them. It was developed from the split breech carbine invented by Leonard Geiger. Remington Chief Designer Joseph Rider modified Geiger’s model to create the Rolling Block in 1866.
The rolling block pistol was easy to use, reliable and accurate. Cock the hammer and slide the breech back for easy cartridge insertion. Then move the block forward. When the trigger is pulled, a projection rolls under the breech.
There were five models made of the rolling block design. This is the first model of Remington Rolling Block pistols.
References:
Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 159.