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Need Help with Rolling Block ID (Read 152 times)

Banjo1928 Newbie Offline Posts: 2 Joined: Dec 27^th, 2025	Need Help with Rolling Block ID Yesterday at 4:31pm	Print Post
	This is my first post here and I'm not 100% sure if my attachment is going to post and be viewable but we'll see. Over Christmas I found a Remington Rolling Block at a LGS. I had always wanted one but know practically nothing about them. What follows is about all I know: It is a sporting rifle. The barrel starts out octagonal then transitions to round. It is a heavy barrel measuring just about 28 inches long. The receiver is 1.25 inches wide. There is no half cock. The seller said that it was originally chambered in .38 rim fire but someone had modified it for the .38 Long Colt. The patent stamp appears to say “May 3 1864, May 7 June 11 Nov 12, Dec 24 Dec 31 1872, Sept 9 1873”. While I have not “slugged” the barrel with something that fits, a modern .38 bullet pretty much drops through with almost no pressure required to push it. I plan to do a chamber casting at some point soon. That said, I took a .38 special case and used it to do a rough chamber measurement and it does appear to be the correct length for a .38 Long Colt but seems to be a larger diameter. The chamber and the barrel may just be that worn. I’m hoping the old .38 rim fire bullets were just a bit bigger than today’s .38s and that’s why my bullet dropped through so easily. The extractor is toast with the rim end broken off and the other worn down considerably. The action seems to lock up tight. The breach closes with a snap and the hammer sits down tight over the firing pin. There doesn’t seem to be any play in the moving parts. I have no idea how old it might be. I see lots of descriptions that say things like a No1 Rolling Block or a No5 Rolling Block. I’m hoping the experts can tell me what I have. I can take more photos if need be. Thank you for giving this a look.


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ssdave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2076 Location: Eastern Oregon Joined: Apr 16^th, 2004	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #1 - yesterday at 5:42pm	Print Post
	It's an original 38 rimfire Rolling Block #1 sporter. The caliber/cartridge choice is unfortunate, due to a change in 38 caliber dimensions between original rifles and later pistol cartridges. The 38 rimfire was .375 diameter, with a heeled bullet, so the case was .376. The 38 colt was .357 bullet, .377 neck. So, it appears the case will work, but it won't hold a normal .375 bullet. The twist on these is real slow, because original bullets were 140 and 150 grains. To make this work, you'll have to figure out a heeled bullet mold, with a light weight. Can you show a picture of the ear and the face of the breechblock? I'm curious how the rimfire conversion was accomplished.


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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 4233 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #2 - yesterday at 5:58pm	Print Post
	How about this? (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


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kootne Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 464 Location: Libby, Mt. Joined: Mar 6^th, 2012	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #3 - yesterday at 6:25pm	Print Post
	Nice old Remington, Made before the bankrupture in 1888. Those highside receivers seem to be the last variation of the E. Rem & Sons rifles, should be a serial# on the lower tang. Sporting #1's peaked out around 12,500. Check with Kenn about an extractor; info@rollingblockparts. com 1-775-423-0810

	You can't make good decisions without good information.
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Banjo1928 Newbie Offline Posts: 2 Joined: Dec 27^th, 2025	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #4 - yesterday at 6:40pm	Print Post
	Thanks to all! That was fast and great info. I will send the requested photos. The number on the lower tang is 8661


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 17486 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #5 - yesterday at 7:02pm	Print Post
	If the .38 Special is loose then someone reamed or drilled the chamber out. The .38 Long, .38 Long Colt, and .38 Special are all the same diameter cases, it's just the bullet diameter that is different for the .38 Special. The other two are both heeled bullets that are larger diameter. It's possible it was indeed a .38 Long rimfire, but that's not a different diameter case, it's the same as the centerfire, and the same as the .38 Long Colt. Unfortunately if someone reamed the chamber out where the .38 Special is too loose, then nothing will fit it now. Only real option would be to have the bore lined with a liner in .357" and chamber it for the .38 Special. That would make it a good shooter, and inexpensive to shoot also. The extractor appears to be home made and wont work well with the way they shaped the hook. Kenn Womack at Rolling Block Parts sells new ones that will be great.

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oneatatime Frequent Elocutionist Online Posts: 4233 Location: Rocky Mountains Joined: Oct 30^th, 2011	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #6 - yesterday at 7:46pm	Print Post
	How about a 38 S&W? Case diameter .3855, bullet .3610. If it chambers, shoot a few and see how it goes.
	« Last Edit: yesterday* at 8:38pm by oneatatime* »

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art_ruggiero Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1195 Location: CT Joined: Dec 14^th, 2008	Re: Need Help with Rolling Block ID Reply #7 - Today at 8:43am	Print Post
	how about 38 smith &wesson art


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