Remington Rolling Block Pistol

NewCollector

NewCollector

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Prince Edward Island
Saw these interesting pistols a while back, and for some reason they've stuck in my mind. I saw that they were briefly used as a sidearm for the US Military in the late 1860's (in .50-40 rimfire, I believe). For some reason, I'm curious about how this pistol would be safely carried. As far as I can tell, it has a half-#### safety, just like the rifle, but I didn't see any other kind of safety.

If you were to carry this pistol in a holster, would you carry it unloaded, or loaded at half-####? Half cocked seems too potentially easy to accidentally become full ####.

Thoughts?
 
I'd say that the holster could play a big part in holding the hammer safely at half #### if it were to be carried loaded.

The little I've seen about these in passing gave me the impression that it was the Navy that used these. If that's so it's possible and even likely given that time frame that the guns would only be issued in preparation for an upcoming battle. As such the lack of a good effective safety might not be an issue at all. The rest of the time the guns would be stored in the ship's armory.
 
Ah, looks like you are right about it being a Navy pistol. I saw there was an Army model. Turns out it was designed with an army contract in mind, possibly with the input of Army officers, but it was never purchased by the army in numbers. The Navy however did order some 5000.

Seems strange thy this gun exists at all, given how firmly established the revolver was at this point. I guess beside being able to reuse tooling from their Rifle production, it gave them something to produce that could use metal cartridge ammunition without any modification, while they (and Colt) were waiting for the Rollin White patent to expire.

I would guess that a .50-40 cartridge would be heavier and slower than the later .44-40, but with similar ballistic energy at short range, thought it would probably slow down faster.
 
If you find a poor example with a shot out barrel you could always easily and safely convert it to a much better calibre like .45 Scholfield, .38 Special or .44 Special.

Their was a very nice one for sale on the EE about 6 months ago that had been converted to .357 mag.
 
mkrnel said:
If you find a poor example with a shot out barrel you could always easily and safely convert it to a much better calibre like .45 Scholfield, .38 Special or .44 Special.

Their was a very nice one for sale on the EE about 6 months ago that had been converted to .357 mag.
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yeah I saw that, wish I had bought it.
 
Here is one that is chambered in 7.5mm Swiss/Swedish revolver cartridge for those who may find that fact interesting -

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I have the uberti replica in 357 mag. I collect curiosities.

This talk of converting makes me want to sell the replica and buy the real deal.
 
I'd sure love to have something like that in a .3 something or a .4 something caliber for classic bullseye shooting. A gun of that sort in .38Spl with the rifling tuned to work really well with the classic 148gn HBWC or a more or less classic 158gn semi wadcutter would be a real doll. Of course the other classic round might be the .45Colt. Or dare I suggest the round with more potential for accuracy? .44-40?
 
These fine and strong Remington Rolling Block pistols came in many different calibre's and finishes. A lot were custom guns for the well to do and serious handgun target shooters, here are some very nice examples to prove the point -

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The palm grip is a replacement due to the original had a chip on the bottom. Still have the original and it is checkered the same as the foregrip.
 
outlan22 said:
I found that using cut down 50-70 brass works just as well as the custom brass. Rings the gong with authority at 55 yards.
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Good stuff, I'm sure it would ring the gong with authority. Does your one have a nice trigger? some complain about a heavy trigger but my one is nice and crisp and has about 4 pounds let off. I think these are great antique handguns, it should easily outlast me.
 
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