Remington Rolling Block Baby Carbine

Centurion · August 7, 2021, 01:57 PM

Bought an old (but in Very Good condition) RRB Baby Carbine 44-40 from 1892 at a local auction, for 450 bucks.

As soon as I receive it, I will upload some more pictures and perform a shooting test with both black powder and some cowboy action ammo.

eastbank · August 7, 2021, 06:14 PM

looks good, i hope the bore is good.

Centurion · August 7, 2021, 06:47 PM

I hope it, too. They told me it is in good condition, being a former army gun it could be good or really bad. I think there's no middle point there...

Jim Watson · August 8, 2021, 11:22 AM

I always thought these looked oddly proportioned with the big action, short barrel, and barrel band so far back.
But an original? Good catch!

Centurion · August 8, 2021, 01:41 PM

I think it is a little bulky for an anemic caliber like the 44wcf. Many of this carbines were modified by the army arsenal to chamber something like a 444 Marlin, I don't know if it is the case, but if so, and the bore is good, I suppose it would shot almost 60 to 65 grains of Holly Black into 444 brass.

eastbank · August 8, 2021, 02:43 PM

if original it would be a antigue and need no paper work here.

Centurion · August 8, 2021, 02:48 PM

Neither here in Uruguay.

Jim Watson · August 8, 2021, 05:13 PM

Oh, that may explain post #5.
The US Army made no use of .44-40 and not a lot of Rolling Blocks.

Centurion · August 8, 2021, 08:23 PM

Agree, and as far as I know, the Uruguayan army was the only one that adopted the Baby carbines in 44-40, and more than half of the production came here.

**Mike Irwin** · August 9, 2021, 06:42 AM

Oh man... so jealous...

I've not seen one for sale here in the US for years, and most of those have been obsolete rimfire cartridges.

eastbank · August 9, 2021, 06:47 AM

i think the small rollers were available in the states in several calibers, no 1-1/2 sporting rifle 1888-1897 and a light baby carbine 1892-1902( pre 1898 antique).

Jim Watson · August 9, 2021, 08:37 AM

And if you want to shoot the type, Pedersoli makes a repro.
\

**Mike Irwin** · August 9, 2021, 12:31 PM

The 1 1/2s were made in a bunch of rim and centerfire cartridges. The .22 rimfires were the smallest, the .44-40s were the largest.

Pretty sure that .32 Long and .38 Long rimfires were standard chamberings, but I've never see a complete list.

Centurion · August 9, 2021, 12:38 PM

I suppose I will enjoy it as a shooter, as I usually do with my 43 spanish carbine, which is in very good bore condition. By the way, I remember I paid 150 bucks for it, a few years ago...

Centurion · December 4, 2021, 10:51 PM

Finally I went to the shooting range to test it. Not very good groups at 25 meters, mainly because of its heavy trigger pull. Almost 6 inches groups at mentioned distance.

Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

Centurion · December 5, 2021, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centurion

Finally I went to the shooting range to test it. Not very good groups at 25 meters, mainly because of its heavy trigger pull. Almost 6 inches groups at mentioned distance.

Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

Today I was working on its leaf mainspring. After filing and polishing, I obtained a better trigger pull force.

Anyway, I suppose that if I want to lighten it a little bit more, I should have to change it with a new one instead of working the original, considering these one is almost 130 years old.

Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

**Mike Irwin** · December 5, 2021, 11:46 AM

That cleaned up really nicely.

6 inch groups sounds like more than just trigger pull. How hard are your bullets? I've heard, and seen, that harder bullets just don't do very well in older guns originally designed for blackpowder cartridges, for some reason.

Don't know if it's the rifling twist, depth, or overall geometry, but I've seen a couple of cases where dropping to a softer lead bullet with softer lubricants really helped close up the groups.

Centurion · January 7, 2022, 10:46 AM

Well, finally tested the carbine again, after performing some work on the mainspring, and the relation between sear and hammer. Now it groups much better, and the action is smoother than before.

Below you can see a 6 shots group at 25 meters, into almost 1 in (2.54 cms).

Not bad for an almost 140 yo gun!

By the way, and last but not least, I discovered what the serial number of this carbine is...# 100! Below a picture of the left side of the tang where it can be seen.

Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

Jim Watson · January 7, 2022, 10:57 AM

As I understand it, Rolling Blocks were "batch numbered." You have no. 100 of that particular contract, not the 100th made.

Centurion · January 7, 2022, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

As I understand it, Rolling Blocks were "batch numbered." You have no. 100 of that particular contract, not the 100th made.

Many thanks for the clarification, didn't know it...

Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

August 9, 2021, 06:42 AM	#10
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,013	Oh man... so jealous... I've not seen one for sale here in the US for years, and most of those have been obsolete rimfire cartridges. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 9, 2021, 12:31 PM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,013	The 1 1/2s were made in a bunch of rim and centerfire cartridges. The .22 rimfires were the smallest, the .44-40s were the largest. Pretty sure that .32 Long and .38 Long rimfires were standard chamberings, but I've never see a complete list. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 5, 2021, 11:46 AM	#17
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,013	That cleaned up really nicely. 6 inch groups sounds like more than just trigger pull. How hard are your bullets? I've heard, and seen, that harder bullets just don't do very well in older guns originally designed for blackpowder cartridges, for some reason. Don't know if it's the rifling twist, depth, or overall geometry, but I've seen a couple of cases where dropping to a softer lead bullet with softer lubricants really helped close up the groups. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

August 7, 2021, 06:14 PM	#2
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,377	looks good, i hope the bore is good.

August 7, 2021, 06:47 PM	#3
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	I hope it, too. They told me it is in good condition, being a former army gun it could be good or really bad. I think there's no middle point there...

August 8, 2021, 11:22 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,590	I always thought these looked oddly proportioned with the big action, short barrel, and barrel band so far back. But an original? Good catch!

August 8, 2021, 01:41 PM	#5
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	I think it is a little bulky for an anemic caliber like the 44wcf. Many of this carbines were modified by the army arsenal to chamber something like a 444 Marlin, I don't know if it is the case, but if so, and the bore is good, I suppose it would shot almost 60 to 65 grains of Holly Black into 444 brass.

August 8, 2021, 02:43 PM	#6
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,377	if original it would be a antigue and need no paper work here.

August 8, 2021, 02:48 PM	#7
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Neither here in Uruguay.

August 8, 2021, 05:13 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,590	Oh, that may explain post #5. The US Army made no use of .44-40 and not a lot of Rolling Blocks.

August 8, 2021, 08:23 PM	#9
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Agree, and as far as I know, the Uruguayan army was the only one that adopted the Baby carbines in 44-40, and more than half of the production came here.

August 9, 2021, 06:47 AM	#11
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,377	i think the small rollers were available in the states in several calibers, no 1-1/2 sporting rifle 1888-1897 and a light baby carbine 1892-1902( pre 1898 antique).

August 9, 2021, 08:37 AM	#12
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,590	And if you want to shoot the type, Pedersoli makes a repro. \

August 9, 2021, 12:38 PM	#14
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	I suppose I will enjoy it as a shooter, as I usually do with my 43 spanish carbine, which is in very good bore condition. By the way, I remember I paid 150 bucks for it, a few years ago...

December 4, 2021, 10:51 PM	#15
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Finally I went to the shooting range to test it. Not very good groups at 25 meters, mainly because of its heavy trigger pull. Almost 6 inches groups at mentioned distance. Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

January 7, 2022, 10:46 AM	#18
Centurion Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2016 Posts: 270	Well, finally tested the carbine again, after performing some work on the mainspring, and the relation between sear and hammer. Now it groups much better, and the action is smoother than before. Below you can see a 6 shots group at 25 meters, into almost 1 in (2.54 cms). Not bad for an almost 140 yo gun! By the way, and last but not least, I discovered what the serial number of this carbine is...# 100! Below a picture of the left side of the tang where it can be seen. Enviado desde mi MAR-LX3A mediante Tapatalk

January 7, 2022, 10:57 AM	#19
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 17,590	As I understand it, Rolling Blocks were "batch numbered." You have no. 100 of that particular contract, not the 100th made.