{"product_id":"original-u-s-remington-arms-co-new-york-militia-contract-m1871-rolling-block-rifle-in-50-70-with-excellent-bore-and-esa-cartouche","title":"Original U.S. Remington Arms Co. New York Militia Contract M1871 Rolling Block Rifle in .50-70 with Excellent Bore and ESA Cartouche","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an excellent example of a Remington Arms Company Model 1871 Rolling Block rifle manufactured for the \u003cstrong\u003eNew York State Militia\u003c\/strong\u003e in the early 1870s. Chambered for the .50-70 Government cartridge, it has the full-length three-band military stock, 36-inch round barrel, cleaning rod, distinctive New York contract action, and an exceptionally crisp \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eESA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e cartouche attributed to \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eErskine S. Allin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. The rifle remains mechanically functional and retains an excellent, bright bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Remington Rolling Block was one of the most successful American single-shot breechloading actions of the 19th century. New York State ordered an initial 15,000 Remington Rolling Block rifles and bayonets in 1871 for its militia, with additional purchases eventually increasing the number of Model 1871 rifles acquired by the state.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese New York contract rifles are closely related to the Remington-designed rolling block rifles manufactured under license at Springfield Armory, but they should not be confused with the Springfield-produced U.S. Model 1871. The Smithsonian identifies the Springfield Model 1871 as a Springfield Armory product manufactured under Remington license, with surviving examples dated to 1872.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Remington-manufactured New York rifle incorporates several distinctive features, including the high hammer spur and a breechblock thumb lever projecting toward the right rather than vertically upward. It also incorporates the improved half-cock safety arrangement associated with the New York Model 1871.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is in lovely condition, with a great patina from use in service and subsequent cleaning. It does not look to have been carried much, and the metalwork is in great shape, with an \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent bore\u003c\/strong\u003e. It has the correct full length military style fore stock, with three retaining bands with a cleaning rod and the standard military stock. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top tang has the standard three line markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eREMINGTONS' ILION. N.Y. U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT. MAY3D NOV 15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1868\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUG 27TH 1867 NOV 7TH 1871\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has the correct full length military style fore stock, with three retaining bands with a cleaning rod and the standard military stock. The ladder sight is correctly “backwards” from how you normally see them, an interesting quirk of this rifle. On the left side of the buttstock is an outstanding and crisp oval cartouche reading \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eESA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, for Erskine. S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory from 1853 until his death in 1879. Opposite this is a lovely crisp script “\u003cstrong\u003eB\u003c\/strong\u003e” cartouche. All three barrel bands are stamped with a “B”. The left side of the barrel has a small stamped “iron cross” next to “S”. The right side of the barrel is stamped with a “P”. The buttplate is stamped on the top with the standard US over:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD 20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidering this was issued to the New York Militia, we can assume this could have been issued to \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompany D of the 20th New York Militia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, but this is just an educated guess. A good research project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition of the rifle is great, with an excellent bore and good patinated exterior. These were originally bright steel, and this has now faded to a peppered patina in places, with overall staining. The most exterior oxidation is around the action and top of the barrel. The action works great, with the ejector presenting, and the hammer properly drops to half cock after the breech is closed, as required by the ordnance department. The bore is in excellent condition, with clear lands and grooves, and a very bright finish. There is very little if any oxidation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock shows moderate age, with some chipping along the cleaning rod channel and barrel bands. The buttstock has some scuffs but is still very solid, with excellent retained cartouches as shown. There are chips and dents in places across the stock, but considering its age, it is in great condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rifle is a particularly strong surviving example of that New York militia contract, combining the distinctive Model 1871 safety action with clear Remington patent markings, matching B-marked barrel bands, an excellent ESA stock cartouche, the intriguing US \/ D 20 buttplate marking, and an unusually bright, well-preserved bore. Its scattered stock wear and naturally aged bright-metal finish retain the appearance of a service arm without compromising the major markings or mechanical condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1872\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .50-70 Government\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 36 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 52 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Rolling Block with Rear Hammer\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Springfield M.1871 Remington—Army\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the U.S. Civil War, Joseph Rider experimented with several breech loading weapon designs. In 1865, he was issued the first patent for what would evolve into the Remington rolling block action. The Remingtons continued to invest in Rider's work, and met with Ordnance Department officials in the hope of interesting them in this new design. The U.S. Navy Ordnance Department became interested in the design, and purchased several different models of rifles from 1867 through 1869. Field trials of these various rifles yielded mostly positive results.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1869, the Navy Bureau of Ordnance tested many different weapons, and settled on the .50 caliber Remington Rolling Block for use by both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marines. An order was placed for 10,000 model 1870 rifles. After the rifles were produced, Navy inspectors realized that the rear sights had been positioned incorrectly, and were dangerously close to the chamber, making the weapon unsafe for use. All 10,000 rifles were rejected, and were subsequently sold to France for use in the Franco-Prussian War. The sale of the defective rifles enabled enough funds to be recovered that the Navy Ordnance Department ordered an additional 12,000 rifles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the success of the model 1870, the Governor of New York ordered 15,000 Remington rolling block rifles and bayonets for his state's militia. These model 1871 rifles were very similar to the model 1870 rifles, but differed in some details. Field experience with the model 1870 showed that the mechanism jammed too easily in dusty conditions. Users also did not like loading the weapon at full cock. The model 1871 included a locking bolt in the breech mechanism. The user pulled the hammer to the full cock position, retracted the breech block spur to expose the chamber, and inserted the cartridge. When the breech block closed, the hammer automatically fell to the half cock position, and the weapon could not be fired until the hammer was once again pulled to the full cock position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver 20,000 model 1871 rifles were eventually purchased by the state of New York. The U.S. Army did not greet the Remingtons with much enthusiasm, despite its superiority to the standard-issue Springfield model 1870. Foreign sales of the weapon were much more successful. Denmark ordered many of the model 1870 and 1871 rifles. In 1873, Spain ordered 50,000 model 1871 rifles, which were delivered in 1875. Numerous other countries, such as France, Chile, Argentina, Cuba, Greece, and Puerto Rico also purchased this rifle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45528800690245,"sku":"ONJR26JYRA07","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26JYRA07.jpg?v=1786395223","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-remington-arms-co-new-york-militia-contract-m1871-rolling-block-rifle-in-50-70-with-excellent-bore-and-esa-cartouche","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}