Rolling Block ID help

fisherman66 · September 7, 2023, 08:22 AM

I may have made a foolish purchase. I have no idea who made this Rolling Block, I was just mesmerized by the color case hardening. The shop owner said he was helping an older gent liquidate his collection, and this was the final piece of that collection. The gent said the rifle was a gift from the gunmaker. He claims it hasn’t been fired. It looks the part. Other than a serial #, the only other marks are photographed here. I’d put a wag out there that it was made in Wyoming. Anyone ever see this maker’s work before?

fisherman66 · September 8, 2023, 08:59 PM

I appreciate those who took a look. I’ll try to find a forum that dedicates a sub that specializes in the old West guns. Maybe a SAS or Black Powder group.

HiBC · September 9, 2023, 02:40 PM

You might contact the folks at Buffalo Arms. They would maybe be able to network you onto some leads.

There was an outfit in Texas that was building higher end RB's. They sold castings,too. Was it Lone Star Arms?

Is SPG Lube still in business? Those fellows were a driving force in BPCR shooting.

Look for BPCR shooters who would recognize the work.

Nice rifle. Good Luck!

fisherman66 · September 10, 2023, 05:54 PM

Thank you HiBC. I will do that.

Jim Watson · September 12, 2023, 10:14 AM

No known company markings, it may be a one-off on an old action or a defarbed import.

fisherman66 · September 13, 2023, 08:53 AM

Quote:

No known company markings, it may be a one-off on an old action or a defarbed import.

I suspect the former is likely the case. Hopefully I can discover it’s secrets.

bedbugbilly · September 15, 2023, 06:18 PM

Give a try on the Castboolit site - try the black powder cartridge forum on that site - there may be someone there that could help you out on possible info on it as there are a number of bpcr shooters there. What is it chambered for?

fisherman66 · September 18, 2023, 04:29 PM

The old war horse arrived today. Despite being packaged better than any other rifle I’ve had Fed Ex managed to snap the rear sight off and crack the butt stock. The color case hardening is also smeared on the tang between the set screws for a tang sight. Maybe she’s really a pinto.

Jim Watson · September 18, 2023, 07:59 PM

That takes special training and a lot of work.
What a drag.

marlinguy · November 25, 2023, 12:16 PM

I can't tell you who built your Rolling Block, but I can tell you it was done off an old military action. It is the later rotary extractor action, and likely a smokeless powder era action like those made in 7mm Mauser originally. The pistol grip curve is not exactly as Remington did them as the curve is sharper than Remington's was. The step on the receiver is almost like a Remington Sporting Rifle except Remington rounded over the front edge of theirs. Only the smokeless actions have enough extra material in the receiver to reshape to octagon top, and still have plenty of strength. I can see from the picture of the open breech that yours is still plenty of metal and will be very strong!
It appears to be a nicely done conversion, and whoever did it was a skilled craftsman. Case colors look as good as any I've seen. I own about 16 Rolling Block Sporting Rifles, with most being originals, but I've also built up a few for my shooting needs.
Here's a picture of my original Remington Creedmoor Long-Range rifle to compare to yours for pistol grip style, and receiver shaping.

September 8, 2023, 08:59 PM	#2
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,676	I appreciate those who took a look. I’ll try to find a forum that dedicates a sub that specializes in the old West guns. Maybe a SAS or Black Powder group. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas! Last edited by fisherman66; September 8, 2023 at 09:22 PM.

September 10, 2023, 05:54 PM	#4
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,676	Thank you HiBC. I will do that. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

September 15, 2023, 06:18 PM	#7
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,279	Give a try on the Castboolit site - try the black powder cartridge forum on that site - there may be someone there that could help you out on possible info on it as there are a number of bpcr shooters there. What is it chambered for? __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

September 18, 2023, 04:29 PM	#8
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,676	The old war horse arrived today. Despite being packaged better than any other rifle I’ve had Fed Ex managed to snap the rear sight off and crack the butt stock. The color case hardening is also smeared on the tang between the set screws for a tang sight. Maybe she’s really a pinto. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

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September 9, 2023, 02:40 PM	#3
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,228	You might contact the folks at Buffalo Arms. They would maybe be able to network you onto some leads. There was an outfit in Texas that was building higher end RB's. They sold castings,too. Was it Lone Star Arms? Is SPG Lube still in business? Those fellows were a driving force in BPCR shooting. Look for BPCR shooters who would recognize the work. Nice rifle. Good Luck!

September 12, 2023, 10:14 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,347	No known company markings, it may be a one-off on an old action or a defarbed import.

September 18, 2023, 07:59 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,347	That takes special training and a lot of work. What a drag.

November 25, 2023, 12:16 PM	#10
marlinguy Member Join Date: November 26, 2014 Posts: 16	I can't tell you who built your Rolling Block, but I can tell you it was done off an old military action. It is the later rotary extractor action, and likely a smokeless powder era action like those made in 7mm Mauser originally. The pistol grip curve is not exactly as Remington did them as the curve is sharper than Remington's was. The step on the receiver is almost like a Remington Sporting Rifle except Remington rounded over the front edge of theirs. Only the smokeless actions have enough extra material in the receiver to reshape to octagon top, and still have plenty of strength. I can see from the picture of the open breech that yours is still plenty of metal and will be very strong! It appears to be a nicely done conversion, and whoever did it was a skilled craftsman. Case colors look as good as any I've seen. I own about 16 Rolling Block Sporting Rifles, with most being originals, but I've also built up a few for my shooting needs. Here's a picture of my original Remington Creedmoor Long-Range rifle to compare to yours for pistol grip style, and receiver shaping.