Author Topic: what RB is it  (Read 818 times)

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Offline pistolfan

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what RB is it
« on: January 25, 2012, 07:35:35 AM »
Hello everyone:I bought a Rolling Block from a local Gander Moutian on GunBroker and was wondering what kind it is. They sold it "As is" and had no info on it. There are no numbers or company names on it except a poorly stamped 45-90 on the top of the barrel slat, under the forearm there is either a Pl or Bl Price or Brice The forearm screw covers half of the PL/BL and the P/B is poorly stamped. Is it safe to shoot. The barrel is a hex, ramp sights, and a slightly pitted receiver. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Anyone have 45-90 reloading equipment they want to sell?? Thanks much. Peter

Offline Ranch13

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2012, 08:07:13 AM »
Really hard to tell what you have from the description, but the pitting in the receiver would be enough to discourage me from shooting the thing. Best to take it to a gunsmith (not a gun parts changer, and there is a difference) and have him look at it, and then go from there.
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Offline Ray Newman

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2012, 11:48:19 AM »
While at the local gunsmith, have him make a chamber cast, including the throat and about one-half inch of the rifling. That is the only positive way to determine what the chamber is/isn't.
 
I would also have him drive a lead slug into the first inch or so of the muzzle, drive it out, then measure its diameter.
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Offline LONGTOM

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2012, 04:28:24 AM »
As stated above for sure.
The next thing you should do is get a few books that detail the rolling block and learn what you are dealing with.
Many times it will save you grief in advance simply because you know what you are looking at.
Could even bring about a heck of a deal sometime also!
I am not trying to be critical here but as a life long collector of firearms I can tell you that unless you stole it (price wise) you should never buy an old gun of any type with out first knowing what you are buying.
If you could post some pictures it would help a lot for one of us to determin what you have.
The surfice pits may or may not be of concern.
Knowing what type or model of rolling block it is along with the true caliber and cartridge it is chambered for is of great concern.
Forget what is stamped on the barrel.
It may be a 45-90, it may be something entirely different.
You will never know forsure without a chamber cast.
Find a GOOD GUNSMITH and pay him his price to ensure your safety!
Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find and what you really have.
 
 
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Offline pistolfan

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2012, 07:53:47 AM »
Thanks everyone. I figured taking it to a gunsmith would be the best thing to do to make sure I can shoot it. I'm going to do the chamber cast, never thought about the muzzel end, i'll do that also. Thanks again. Peter

Offline TexasMac

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2012, 02:55:35 PM »
As suggested by others, you definitely need a chamber cast.  Never trust the barrel markings, especially on older rifles.  There were several RB models made.  Here's a good site that may give you some clues to the model but not the caliber
http://www.rollingblockparts.com/


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Offline pistolfan

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2012, 10:29:10 AM »
Well i got it back from my gunsmith and it is a 45-90. It has a new barrel on it and he said that that is where the makers name is on a lot of the RB's. He said it was o.k. to shoot. I had him do a chamber cast and slug the bore. came out .459 which is in the area I wanted. Thanks for the help, I'm putting out another post on this gun, strange breechblock!!

Offline longcaribiner

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Re: what RB is it
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2012, 12:02:41 PM »
As a life long collector of military centerfire rolling blocks, I can tell you there is more mystery to rolling blocks than many other types of guns.  Just in the remington no 1, there were at least six different types of breech blocks and perhaps that many types of hammers,  At one time I had over 60 of them. In a wide range of calibers from 7mm up to the 58 Berdan