Question: Rolling block Receiver crack???

OneBarfly · February 22, 2007, 09:10 AM

Hello,

I recently picked up an antique Remington rolling block rifle. There appears to be a flaw in the casting or forging on the receiver. Perhaps the case-hardening cracked when heating or cooling one hundred and forty years ago?

I guess that I'm just looking for opinions as it concerns whether or not this is something to worry about. It almost looks like the hole was drilled after the mark appears? notice how the case-hardening colours flow around the flaw? I know these are just pictures, but what's your gut feeling?

Cheers & Best regards,

Richard

James K · February 22, 2007, 03:56 PM

It looks like that is a crack and goes all the way through. Also, FWIW, the coloring in the area is different from the rest of the receiver, leading me to think that the crack is an old one that someone tried to weld up and it re-cracked. You don't know what was done, how badly the receiver was weakened, or what may happen if the gun is fired. My strong recommendation is that the gun be retired to collector status.

That is my "gut feeling."

Jim

Ruger4570 · February 23, 2007, 10:09 PM

I would agree, It will make a nice wall hanger. Some of these OLD guns in perfect shape let loose on occasion, I would be afraid to shoot one with an obvious defect like that.

OneBarfly · February 26, 2007, 08:36 AM

FYI- I cannot detect the crack either in the pin hole or on the other side of the forging. It has not been re-welded, which leaves me to believe that it was present right after case hardening and therefore was subequently passed QC by Remington. The pin hole appears to have been drilled right thru the crack. My thinking is that it's crack in the case hardening. I will take it to a Smith for a first hand review. Kind of hard to tell by only the pictures. I do appreciate your help!

brickeyee · February 26, 2007, 09:56 AM

At least have the receiver dye checked, and a magna-flux test would be better.

sanson · February 26, 2007, 10:11 AM

the pin hole drilling might have been an attempt to stop the crack from migrating any further.

James K · February 26, 2007, 02:27 PM

It is hard to really tell much without seeing the gun, but I can tell you this much - that crack was NOT there when Remington shipped the gun. Today, some factories have a "pass it on" attitude toward defects; that was definitely not true in those days, even on large military contracts. They made 'em right.

Jim

Ruger4570 · February 26, 2007, 10:36 PM

It also looks from the picture, the crack is also on the right of the hole too, It might just be the pic, but it looks like a very short crack.

Harry Bonar · February 27, 2007, 05:09 PM

Dear Sir:
Send it down to Douglas bbls in Charleston WVa - they can magnaflux it.
Harry B. ---- It looks like a crack!

February 22, 2007, 09:10 AM	#1
OneBarfly Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Posts: 2	Question: Rolling block Receiver crack??? Hello, I recently picked up an antique Remington rolling block rifle. There appears to be a flaw in the casting or forging on the receiver. Perhaps the case-hardening cracked when heating or cooling one hundred and forty years ago? I guess that I'm just looking for opinions as it concerns whether or not this is something to worry about. It almost looks like the hole was drilled after the mark appears? notice how the case-hardening colours flow around the flaw? I know these are just pictures, but what's your gut feeling? Cheers & Best regards, Richard

February 27, 2007, 05:09 PM	#9
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	crack Dear Sir: Send it down to Douglas bbls in Charleston WVa - they can magnaflux it. Harry B. ---- It looks like a crack!

February 22, 2007, 03:56 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It looks like that is a crack and goes all the way through. Also, FWIW, the coloring in the area is different from the rest of the receiver, leading me to think that the crack is an old one that someone tried to weld up and it re-cracked. You don't know what was done, how badly the receiver was weakened, or what may happen if the gun is fired. My strong recommendation is that the gun be retired to collector status. That is my "gut feeling." Jim

February 23, 2007, 10:09 PM	#3
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I would agree, It will make a nice wall hanger. Some of these OLD guns in perfect shape let loose on occasion, I would be afraid to shoot one with an obvious defect like that.

February 26, 2007, 08:36 AM	#4
OneBarfly Junior Member Join Date: February 22, 2007 Posts: 2	FYI- I cannot detect the crack either in the pin hole or on the other side of the forging. It has not been re-welded, which leaves me to believe that it was present right after case hardening and therefore was subequently passed QC by Remington. The pin hole appears to have been drilled right thru the crack. My thinking is that it's crack in the case hardening. I will take it to a Smith for a first hand review. Kind of hard to tell by only the pictures. I do appreciate your help!

February 26, 2007, 09:56 AM	#5
brickeyee Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2004 Posts: 3,351	At least have the receiver dye checked, and a magna-flux test would be better.

February 26, 2007, 10:11 AM	#6
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	the pin hole drilling might have been an attempt to stop the crack from migrating any further.

February 26, 2007, 02:27 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	It is hard to really tell much without seeing the gun, but I can tell you this much - that crack was NOT there when Remington shipped the gun. Today, some factories have a "pass it on" attitude toward defects; that was definitely not true in those days, even on large military contracts. They made 'em right. Jim

February 26, 2007, 10:36 PM	#8
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	It also looks from the picture, the crack is also on the right of the hole too, It might just be the pic, but it looks like a very short crack.