Museum-weapons

Remington 1864 “Rolling Block Rifle”

This week for Firearm Friday we are bringing you the Remington 1864 “Rolling Block Rifle”

The Remington Rolling Block was developed from the 1863 pattern .50 calibre split breech carbine issued to the US Cavalry during the American Civil War. This earlier weapon was designed by Joseph Rider and Leonard Geiger to fire the same cartridges as the Spencer carbine. The split breech rifle lacked a hammer spur because it self-cocked when the breechblock was opened. In 1865, Rider improved the split breech design to create the rolling-block action which was named the "Remington System”

The medium-strength action developed some headspace issues with new smokeless powders coming into use by the late 1890s. A heavier-style action was produced for later smokeless cartridges, although there were still issues with some ammunition.

In 1867, the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway was the first military to adopt the rifle as the standard military rifle. Around 250,000 military rifles and carbines and 85,000 civilian rifles in Sweden, were produced under license by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori and Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag, and about 53,000 rifles in Norway by Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik.

The British Empire purchased rolling-blocks to arm the Egyptian Army during the 1870s. These were made in Liège, Belgium, in .43 Egyptian calibre and were issued with a sword bayonet. Rolling-block rifles were used against Muhammad Ahmad's Ansar Dervishes during the Mahdist War, including at the Siege of Khartoum where General Gordon met his end. Guns with decorative brass Islamic crescents and
Arabic inscriptions on the buttstock are not uncommon on the collector's market.

The French acquired 210,000 Egyptian rolling-block rifles to make up for a shortage of the standard-issue Chassepot and Tabatière rifles during the Franco-Prussian War.

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.

Our Rolling Block Rifle was donated to the museum by the Tomkins family after the passing of the owner Ken Tomkins in 1990. Ken was a former member of parliament in Queensland who was a Councillor of Bungil Shire Council from 1949 to 1967 and then a Chairman of the Bungil Shire Council from 1967 to 1975 and the owner of “Westgrove” cattle station from 1940. After he retired from politics, Mr Tomkins and
his wife moved to Biddeston, outside Toowoomba, where they were associated with a thoroughbred stud. During his later years he owned successful racehorses including Mississippi Prince, Prince Ruling and Sovereignty.

Our Rolling Block is chambered in 40/50 and is a beautiful example of this firearm. It is available to view in our museum now and we are proud to own it and pass on its story and history to all of our visitors.