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NEW YORK CONTRACT REMINGTON ROLLING BLOCK WITH RACK NUMBERS

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In the search for new metallic cartridge arms after the Civil War the U.S. government went with the trapdoor system, but New York went with the Remington rolling block, which was popular elsewhere in the world, though the decision was likely also influenced by the company being based in New York and their reported willingness to take some of the state’s old muzzle-loaders in partial trade. The state purchased both rifles and carbines. Flayderman gives the number of rifles as 15,000 “ca. 1872,” but others date the contract to 1871 and note a second order in 1873 for another 4,500, bringing the total up to 19,450.

The New York contract rifles have several distinguishing characteristics: they are .50-70 centerfire; the barrels are 36” long, secured by three bands; the sling swivels are mounted on the front band and on the triggerguard rather than the belly of the stock; hammer spur and thumb latch for the breechblock are longer than other models, and have the thumb checkering in shield-shaped panels; and, lastly, the action is designed so that when the hammer is pulled back to full cock and the breech opened to insert a cartridge, when the breech is again closed the hammer will move forward to an intermediate safety position, something designed for US Army trials and liked by the state, who apparently mistrusted the safety-consciousness of its troops and did not want them chambering live rounds in guns then at full cock.

This rates as a good example of the NY contract rifle, complete except for a damaged long range rear sight missing the top bar, but with all bands, springs, swivels, cleaning rod and swivels in place. The metal shows as brown, with pitting on the bands and buttplate, some light rust and some gray metal. The markings on the receiver tang, however, are good and fully legible: “REMINGTON’S ILION N.Y.  U.S.A. / PAT MAY 3d NOV 15^th 1864 APRIL 17^th 1868/ AUG. 27^th 1867 NOV. 7^th 1871.” These likely indicate the rifle was from the first state purchase, with 1871 as the latest patent date where other NY rifles include 1872 and 1874 patents and are thought to be from the second order.

The wood has good color, is solid and has a tight fit to the metal, but shows dings, rubs, handling marks and scratches- a few deep ones showing lighter colored wood. All of which is pretty typical of handling of national guard guns in the period. On the other hand, the wood does show a number of inspector’s marks that are plainly visible, if not fully legible: the outline of a vertical block cartouche at the left wrist along with a horizontal one showing some faint initials inside, and a set of small block letter initials on the underside near the triggerguard tang.

The rifle also shows rack markings on the buttplate tang and in the wood just above it. The buttplate tang is pitted, but the stamping seems clearly to be “B/60,” which we take as the company letter and weapon rack number. The marking in the wood just above it is “47.” Markings for Separate Companies often appear in this position so this is likely a regimental number. In the 1870s the state retained regimental organizations and numbers for units based in large cities who could field the requisite number of men, but in smaller communities established numerical designations for “Separate Companies” that could be combined into regiments for training and field service. The 47^th Regiment NYNG would fit that bill, being based in Brooklyn and in existence for years after the war.

The mechanics are good. The safety is functional in closing the breech. This is a good example of a New York state contract military rifle replaced only around the time of the Spanish-American War.    [sr][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

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