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REMINGTON No. 1 SPORTING RIFLE – RARE .50-70
CHAMBERED EARLY PRODUCTION RIFLE - BUFFALO HUNTER’S GUN:
Second only to the famous Sharp’s rifles on the Buffalo
ranges, these Remington No. 1 Rifles were very popular
on the western frontier with such notables as George
Armstrong Custer and accounted for more than their fair
share of hides during the height of the market driven
Buffalo hunts.
This rifle is chambered for the very desirable – and
rare - .50-70 Government cartridge. Weighing
approximately 12 pounds and featuring an original full
length octagon 26 ¼” barrel (measured from the receiver
to the muzzle), this rifle is in its original
configuration with all matching serial numbers and
parts.
The caliber is legibly stamped “50 CTG’E” on the bottom
flat of the barrel just forward of the fore stock
nosecap and the top flat of the barrel is stamped "E.
Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y.". This barrel is original
to this rifle - the barrel, lower trigger guard tang,
and the rear mortise butt of the forearm all bearing the
matching four digit serial number “3795” – a low number
indicative of an early production rifle – ca. 1875.
Showing the wear expected on a true veteran of the
frontier, this Remington has survived in very good
condition. The metal is overall smooth with minor
pin-prick pitting concentrated on the exterior surfaces
where the rifle would have been carried or balanced on
the pommel of the saddle and have received the most
handling. The barrel exterior and receiver have an even
aged gray color, with some strong blue finish remaining
on the area protected by the fore end. The butt plate
is overall smooth, retaining the original finish.
The bore is excellent with clear well defined rifling
throughout, very bright surfaces with only a few dark
spots at the breech end of the bore. The condition of
the bore is quiet testimony to the man who carried this
rifle – he wasn’t particularly concerned with the
exterior finishes, but it is obvious that he did attend
regularly and carefully to the bore.
The action is very strong and the rifle is mechanically
sound. The breech block locks up tightly and the
trigger pull is very crisp. Both the front and rear
sights are present - the original rear sight complete
with the stepped elevator. The blade on the front sight
has a high profile and appears to be a period
replacement – probably to meet the needs of long range
shooting.
The fore arm and butt stock are in excellent condition
with no cracks or worn wood with much of the original
finish present, and both pieces show some nice figure in
the wood grain. The forearm is complete with the steel
nosecap.
This rare .50 caliber Remington
No. 1 features all the characteristics of the early
frontier rifles used by the market hunters who decimated
the Buffalo herds. These early large bored single shot
Remington Rifles are rapidly increasing in value as they
become increasingly difficult to find in any condition –
much less in the very good condition of this rifle.
They have become a very desirable addition to any
collection of firearms associated with the American West
and are a real pleasure to own. (0505) $6750
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