AR719 - Remington Rolling Block Danish Model 1866/97. 11.35mm centre-fire.
A rather scarce Danish Remington Rolling Block Model 1867/97. No.: 2219. The 1897 modification from rimfire to centre-fire 11.35mm cartridge. Remington made, rather than Danish Kronborg or Kjobenhavns arsenal production, of the total of only 35k rolling block rifles, under 20K were from Remington. Of these only approximately 4000 were converted to the M97 centre-fire cartridge. Hence it correctly retains the old style rear-sight and original concave base breechblock with provision for both CF and RF firing pins, being subsequently issued to coast artillery units. It also retains the loaded indicator to the breechblock, with side extractor; all correct for this rifle. The very low 4-digit serial number puts this within the first contract of 1867. There is quite a tale to the Danish selection of the Rolling Block system, since they were on the verge of ordering Peabody rifles but switched to Rolling Block at the last minute, following demonstrations and last minutes visitations by Sam Norris. The rifle has been cleaned overall although retains the serial number to the left hand side of the barrel and vestigially under the wrist on the stock. Remington etc is quite clear on the tang and the Crown inspector mark to the left hand side of the action. Bright shiny bore with sharp and clearly defined rifling.