Swede Rolling Block in 12.7x44R CF

jamesharrison

jamesharrison

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So like most times in my career of gun-swapping / buying / &c., I'm a minute late & a dollar short to the party.

In anticipation of getting my first OAS cheque, I've decided that the collection is bereft of a Buffalo Gun. Now that that's been decided, naturally, Tradex no longer has any of their Rolling blocks in 12.7x44R rifles for sale.

Since I am not prepared to fork over the funds to buy a replica, much less an original, Sharps', which have enthralled me for far too many years to count, based on Dad's recanting of family stories of the Harrison brothers (Grampa Charles & the other Great Uncles) buffalo [yeah, yeah, I know they're bison] hunts when they came west to homestead from Upper Canada), I readily admit that I do not know what else is out there. I did briefly own a Wesson & Harrington Buffalo Gun in .45-70, as well as an H&R .45-70 carbine, a Model 1895 Marlin 45-70 & a Martini in .577/450, but was not enamoured with any of them, so down the road they went.

I would be most appreciative if my fellow Nutters could enlighten me, firstly as to what is out there, & secondly, steer me away from a Rolling Block, especially one of the Swedes, if my original idea is unsound.

I am familiar with BP loading & shooting, as well as cast bullet design & casting, if that seems germane to the issue at hand.

Thanks in advance for your usual, helpful advice.

Regards,

Jim
 
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Hi There, you have me curious, are the Swede Rolling blocks significantly less expensive then a modern replica? I have a Navy Arms/Pedersoli 1873 Remington Rolling Block 45-70 for which I paid a $1000.00. I recently added a reproduction 4x scope.

Thanks, Retreever

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Rolling Blocks

I love these things. 11.15 x ? Danish, 12.? swede, 43 Spanish, 43 Egyptian, 50-70, 11mm Mann, 8mm x ? Danish,. etc.
I can't remember the details behind the calibers, but they are numerous. And they come in rifle or carbine.

Swedes, Danes, Argentines, Egyptians, Spanish, Americans have built them. Swedes are supposed to be strong, but I have never heard any caveats if you stay within designed pressures. They are a strong action for their day.

The actions, particularly the 8mm, can be the beginnings of a long range rifle in a more contemporary long range cartridge.

You can buy or make most brass for these calibers, but the dies are expensive. Consider this when you shop.

It is difficult to buy a "collectible" as many of them have been found and been refurbished by Navy Arms. Bayonet lugs may be gone. The rifle may be blued vice in the original white. Often the sellers don't know what they have. You need detailed pics of the extractor, bayonet lug pics and measurements, pics of sights, etc. There are a few good reference books and the web has alot of info. Be prepared to cerrosafe.


But if the parts are there and the bore good, you will have a good time. There are parts avail on the web, still shippable to Canada, but this is a growing problem. They are simple to dissemble and clean.

You will find them in the usual places. 800$ plus unless parts are missing.

All this you knew, but I had to support your newest addiction.
 
There should still be a fair # of acquirable RB's like you have in your photo (plain ole' Danish or Swedish contract production it appears along with a smattering of original Rem manuf.) around Canada. Back in the late 70's-early 80's they were exported to Canada by the container shipments and could be bought at auction here in AB. for $75 each. They sold 50-75 in each auction for 2 or 3 years. I have one of those ( the original Rem manuf, long since "bubba'd") but wish now, if their bringing $3000, that I bought a truck load. Mine is now a 3-barrel set with barrels in 45-70,50-70 & 50-90.

There is one .50 cal "rifle used in the buffalo hunt that hasn't been mentioned yet and they are available in limited quantities yet...those being the "U.S Springfield 50-70 Trap Doors". The 50-70 was used, but a train load of buff's were killed by that rifle configuration but in the smaller brother 45-70 version ( and they are very findable).
 
Mr Holborn was a gunsmith working out of Industrial Tool & Machine in Warren, ON. He used to make custom rollers. I think he is done with smithing, but he used to have lots of rollers around. Shot in the dark, most likely, but you might give them a shout. (And of course this is not what you are looking for in any case!)
 
jamesharrison said:
Re3iever:

I had no idea the new reproductions were that cheap. I was thinking a couple to a few grand.

But, it's not a Big 50 and Pedersoli only offers .45-70 & .45-90 rifles. Tradex had a bunch of the 12.7x44R CF rifles that had been converted to .50-70, as well as originals for $3-500.00.
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If you shop hard, hit the auctions you can find them in $1000 to $1500 range.

Retreever
 
I have one of the Dane 50-70 Rolling block rifles as well.

It's a decent shooter with the mold that came with it. The hollow base skirts seem to catch the rifling pretty well.

It does suffer from lead fouling, even though the bore is shiny bright and crisp.

I'm using Rooster Red lube in the grooves, might have to try the Black Moly lube.
 
jamesharrison said:
I've never been a fan of Trap-door rifles and, at least from what I've heard, the Husqvarna made RB's have the best steels of the time.
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Like all firearms, you have to use them within their individual limits. It's your responsibility to know and understand why those limits have been set.

I like trap door rifles. If they're properly maintained and some joker hasn't loaded them with cartridges intended for the Ruger No1 or a converted p14 Enfield, they will run flawlessly and with proper fitting or paper patched bullets they can be extremely accurate.
 
I only ever owned one TD and when i bought it, I expected "five gallon pail" accuracy at 50 yrds but that damn thing would chase a tobacco can all over the yard at 100 when i got some shells loaded.
 
dan belisle said:
Mine started life as a swede but was rechambered or barreled somewhere along the way to 50-70. Assuming my interpretation of all the stamps is right, anyway. Fun old thumper. - dan
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Dan:

Apparently, at least from what I've read on-line (And we all know that EVERYTHING on-line is gospel, right ;-) a fair number of them will accept .50-70 with no need to change anything. In fact, the thicker rim of the .50-70 helps if the rifle has a tad bit too much headspace.
 
jamesharrison said:
Dan:

Apparently, at least from what I've read on-line (And we all know that EVERYTHING on-line is gospel, right ;-) a fair number of them will accept .50-70 with no need to change anything. In fact, the thicker rim of the .50-70 helps if the rifle has a tad bit too much headspace.
Click to expand...

Good to know, thanks. - dan
 
Mine gobbles up the 50-70 without any hiccups. However, it does prefer black powder instead of smokeless. I add 5 grains of HS6 over the CCI250 mag primer to get a cleaner/more consistent burn.

I haven't heard of any of them not accepting the 50-70 case.
 
I have a Remington Rolling Block , model : 1867 Denmark. I believe the correct cal. is 11.7 x 51 R ,,,,, or ,,,, .45 Danish Remington.
I shoot regular .45-70 in it. On firing the rear of case swells a very small amount. On reloading those cases I neck size. However I find
little difference in accurracy in reg. vs. neck sized cases. It shoots very well. 2 1/2" groups @ 100 yds. on a good day. Good bore of course.
 
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