Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The Spanish Oviedo arms factory produced rolling block rifles under a patent agreement with Remington. There are a number of key indicators when identifying these rifles. The receivers are typically stamped on the right side with the Crown over ARO over the date of manufacture. The fore-end is also attached with a cross bolt just forward of the receiver. The rifles were chambered .43 Spanish Reformado, the proprietary national cartridge for the kingdom of Spain. The breech block, hammer, and trigger guard are about .040 inch wider than the Remington counterparts and do not interchange. Also note the addition of a firing pin retractor in the top of the breech block. This is similar to the concept used in the Danish Rifles. The straight bar extractor usually has two down legs and the breech blocks show a double notch cut in the left side. The receivers will make a nice custom rifle keeping in mind the original cartridge chamber pressures. The Oviedo receivers & barrels are threaded with a V thread as opposed to the square thread of the Remington. Spain adopted the single shot Rifle in .43 caliber Spanish, known in Europe as 11.15 mm X 58 mm R9.
This example started life as a full length rifle, but was then converted to carbine length. The original cleaning rod channel is still present, and only one barrel band remains. This is definitely a Spanish Oviedo Arsenal produced example, clearly stamped with CROWN / AR. O. / 1885 on right side of action. This is the Royal Cypher of Alfonso XII of Spain, who reigned from 1874 to 1885. The O is for the "Oviedo" factory, which is also very faintly marked on the right side of the butt stock. There is also the Serial No 7684 stamped into the right side of the butt stock, over a faded cartouche near the butt plate.
It has the characteristic fore-stock bolt, as well as the firing pin retractor, not seen in the Remington-produced guns. Overall length is approximately 40 inches, with a 25 inch barrel.
The Remington patent licensing markings on the top action strap have long since worn away but the rifle has been nicely restored to an excellent condition, ideal for display. The rifled bore shows clear lands and grooves in nice condition with a bright finish, with some wear and a oxidation. The rears sight is also missing the slider. Scarce to encounter today, an original Spanish Infantry Rifle that saw front line service for 25 years.
Top of barrel is marked “R” for Reformado
History of the Remington Rolling Block Rifle:
It was made in a variety of calibers, both rimfire and centerfire, including the 12.17x42 mm rimfire, 12.17x44 mm rimfire and 12.17x44 mm rimmed centerfire Swedish and Norwegian cartridges, .43 Spanish (11.15x58mmR), .50-70, 40-70,45-70, and later in .22 caliber. Later models were produced in .30-06 Springfield, 7×57mm Mauser, and 8×50mmR Lebel.
In 12.17x42mmRF and 12.18x44mmRF (two cartridges that were interchangeable), and towards the end of its service life also 8x58mmR Danish Krag centerfire, it served as the standard service rifle of the Swedish Army from 1867 to the mid-1890s (when it was replaced by the Swedish Mauser) and in Norway as the standard service rifle from 1867 to the mid-1880s (when it was replaced by the M1884 Jarmann). In .43 Spanish it was the chief service arm of the Spanish Army from 1870-1893, and was used by reserve and militia forces for many years thereafter. Many Rolling Block rifles were used by Argentina before being replaced in 1891 by the new 7.65mm Mauser, and were also widely used by Egypt and Mexico. The Remington rolling block also became the standard service rifle of the Danish Army. During the Franco-Prussian War, France acquired 210,000 Rolling Block rifles to make up for a shortage of the standard-issue Chassepot.
During World War I, the British Royal Navy purchased 4,500 Rolling Block rifles in 7mm Mauser from Remington's leftover stock after production had ended, issuing them to the crews of minesweepers and Q-ships. In November 1914, production of the Rolling Block was resumed, in the form of a French contract for rifles in 8×50mmR Lebel, designated by France as "Fusil Remington modèle 1914". 100,291 such rifles were delivered by 1916, and used to equip rear-line troops.
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1879 - shortened later
Caliber: .43 Spanish "reformado"
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 25 Inches
Overall Length: 40 Inches
Action type: Rolling Block with Rear Hammer
Feed System: Single Shot
Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are no able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
Note: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre in the UK.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.
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