Remington Army Model 1871 Rolling Block .38 Spl Single Shot Pistol, Antique

SOLD FOR: $2,025.00

LSB#: WY240905SP010

Make: Remington

Model: 1871 Army Pistol

Serial Number: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: 1871 to 1872

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Rolling Block, Single Shot, Manually Cocked Pistol

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked, “REMINGTON’S ILION.N.Y. U.S.A. PAT.MAY 30 NOV.15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1866 / P S”.

Barrel Length: 10”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a raised ramp fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is an adjustable square notch leaf sight screwed to the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece checkered wood set with a schnabel forend. There are scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering peaks are worn. Overall the grips rate in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued, Case Color

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 50% of its finish. The case color has faded, but it still retains some of its color throughout. The barrel has light thinning and patina, the leading edges are worn. There are light scratches and small nicks throughout. The action has been polished and the original rear sight ground off. The screw heads are lightly tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Remington Army Model 1871 Rolling Block Pistol is a single-shot firearm that reflects the transitional era between percussion and metallic cartridge handguns. Manufactured by Remington, this pistol was primarily designed for military use, though it also found favor among civilians and law enforcement agencies due to its simplicity, durability, and reliability. The pistol is based on their rolling block action, a robust and straightforward mechanism that became one of Remington’s hallmark designs. This action consists of a breechblock and hammer that pivot on separate pins. When the hammer is cocked, the breechblock can be rotated open to load a cartridge. Once the block is closed and the hammer released, the cartridge is securely locked in place, creating a strong and safe firing mechanism. Originally chambered in .50 caliber centerfire, the Model 1871 fired metallic cartridges, offering significant advantages over the cap-and-ball revolvers it aimed to replace. The use of cartridges reduced reload times, enhanced reliability, and minimized the chances of misfires. The barrel length of the pistol was 8 inches, providing respectable accuracy for a handgun of its type. The pistol also featured a blade front sight and a simple notch rear sight, sufficient for the ranges it was intended to engage.

This particular 1871 Rolling Block has been modified at some point in its life with a .38 Special chambered barrel along with new sights and a new wood set. The action has been modified to work seamlessly with the new barrel. The bore of the barrel is clean and quite bright which would make for a good shooter. The rechambering for .38 Special is a nice addition to this old workhorse, making it a viable and unique plinker in a much more available cartridge. Please see our photos, and good luck on your bid! -R.E.