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Remington Lee help needed
kimi
Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
I could use some help in correctly identifying the below pictured Remington. The markings match those for the Remington Lee Models 1882 and 1885 Bolt Action Rifles. And, according to Flayderman, the only difference is in the extractor and cocking knob on the bolt, both of which are larger on the Model 1885. Since I am unfamilar with these models, that poses one question. My second question has to do with Flayderman's description of the 1885 Carbines, where he notes that the carbines have a 24 inch barrel. The barrel on the one pictured below is 20 inches. There is one other thing about this piece that puzzles me, and that is the two holes in the left side of the receiver. Would these two holes be for a saddle ring?
Any help with these two questions will be greatly appreciated.
Any help with these two questions will be greatly appreciated.
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Comments
I bet it has been sporterized and drilled and tapped for a scope.
Also, it is a .43 caliber.
Thank you for the input.
Check out the piece at the below link, it is like the one I have pictured, except that it has sling attachments, does not appear to have holes, and is of a different caliber. He has identified this one as a "sporting rifle".:
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=93192416
Yes, I mean that I think the receiver was drilled and tapped. Given published barrel lengths I'd also not be surprised if the barrel was cut and recrowned or replaced. It was my impression that these were chambered in 45/70 but if it is in .43 caliber, the next question is- which .43 caliber? .43 Spanish? .43 Mauser? etc.
The in the receiver are about 3/4 of an inch from center to center.
The barrel could have been modified as you suggest, and I guess it could have been replaced as you suggest, since Flayderman notes that the Model 1899 Carbines have 20 inch barrels. I do suspect this much, with the strong angle of the rapid taper barrel, I highly doubt the barrel could have been very much longer or else the metal left between the bore, itself, and the outer part of the barrel would have been extraordinarily thin. Whatever modification might have been made to it took place a very long time ago, because the finish it has, be it the mix of blue, silver, or mellow patina matches perfectly throughout, except for the magazine and buttplate which has different degrees of browning.
I can't find any markings as to caliber on it. Aside from the typical markings associated with the models as noted, the only other mark I can see is a large "U" stamp on the right side of the barrel band. Also, just forward of this band, on the bottom of the stock, is a piece of metal inletted into the stock, running vertically with the stock, with the rear edge of it flush up against the barrel band, which appears to keep the band in place.
As to its caliber again. I am not familar with the Mauser cartridge, but the .43 Spanish cartrdige fits the chamber. My question here is, would a .43 spanish cartridge fit a .43 Mauser, or do you know?
Jonk, you seem to know quite a bit about these types of old rifles, what do you think of the one in the link that matches the one I have shown?
Thanks for the help.
I do know a bit about period guns though and suspect strongly that you have a sporter with both a replacement barrel and drilled receiver. What caliber it is could be anyone's guess; a chamber cast is the only way to know for sure.
I can't speak to whether the .43 spanish would chamber in the .43 Mauser (or .43 Egyptian, 11mm Columbian, etc. etc.) but will say that the spanish round is 2mm shorter and uses a bullet .007mm less in diameter.
Try posting it on a few other boards. I recommend gunboards.com to start.