Danish Remington M1867

E. Remington & Sons · Rifle · Discontinued · 1867

Also known as: Bagladningsgevær M.1867, Danish Rolling Block, Danish Remington, M1867 Kjøbenhavn

Overview

The Danish Remington M1867 is a single-shot, breech-loading service rifle adopted by Denmark in 1867 as its first metallic-cartridge infantry arm. Built on E. Remington & Sons' rugged rolling-block action, the breech is sealed by a pivoting block locked behind the hammer, giving a strong, simple mechanism that was quick to operate. Denmark chose a smaller 11.7mm (11.7x42R) rimfire chambering than the 12.17mm used by Norway and Sweden, making the Danish rifle noticeably lighter and slimmer. The first rifles were delivered by Remington in Ilion, New York, after which production was carried out under license at the Copenhagen Arsenal (Geværfabrik Kjøbenhavn).

Specifications

Weight (empty)4100 g (144.6 oz)
Overall Length1280 mm (50.39")
Barrel Length907 mm (35.71")
Action TypeRolling Block
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity381 m/s (1250 fps)
Muzzle Energy1808 J (1334 ft·lbf)
Effective Range400 m (437 yd)
Maximum Range1500 m (1640 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Estimated total produced: 80,000 · Production years: 1867-1888

Approximately 40,500 rifles built by E. Remington & Sons (1867-1870) and roughly 31,500 at the Copenhagen Arsenal (1870-1888); about 80,000 rifles and carbines of the M.1867 series in total.

Origin

Country of origin: Denmark

Designer: Leonard Geiger and Joseph Rider

Discontinued: 1888

Notes

Denmark's initial 1867 contract was for 20,000 rifles, but Remington's slow delivery let the Danes secure a manufacturing license; the first roughly 30,000 rifles used Remington-made actions before full production moved to Copenhagen. Most rifles were later rebarreled and converted to the 11.35x51R smokeless centerfire cartridge in the M1867/96 (M1867/97) program and relegated to fortress, coastal artillery, and reserve use, with many retained into the 1940s.

Background

Denmark adopted the rolling block in the aftermath of the 1864 Second Schleswig War, eager to replace its muzzle-loaders with a modern breech-loader. Many M1867 rifles bear Copenhagen Arsenal markings and date stamps, and the durable action kept the rifles in Danish reserve and fortress inventories long after the Krag-Jorgensen replaced them in front-line service.