Remington M1867 Rolling Block
E. Remington & Sons · Rifle · Discontinued · 1867
Also known as: Gevär m/1867, Norwegian Remington, Swedish Remington, 12mm Remington
Overview
The Remington M1867 Rolling Block is a single-shot, breech-loading service rifle adopted in 1867 by both Norway and Sweden, making it the first metallic-cartridge rifle issued to their armies. 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 easy to operate and capable of a high rate of fire for its era. It was chambered for the 12.17mm (12.17x42mm RF) rimfire cartridge and license-produced at Kongsberg in Norway and Husqvarna and Carl Gustafs Stads gevärsfaktori in Sweden.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1358 mm (53.46") |
| Barrel Length | 952 mm (37.48") |
| Action Type | Rolling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380 m/s (1247 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1588 J (1171 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1600 m (1750 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12.17x42mm RF · primary — also known as 12mm Remington, 12.17x44mmR, 4 decimal lines
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Rolling Block Breech, Iron Sights, Bayonet Lug, Ramrod
Variants
- Remington M1867 Carbine — Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Royal Norwegian Army · adopted 1867 · as Remington M1867
- Swedish Army · adopted 1867 · as Gevär m/1867
Production
Production years: 1867-1884
Sweden produced roughly 225,000 military rifles and 7,000 carbines; Sweden also purchased 10,000 finished rifles and 20,000 actions from Remington in the United States. Norwegian production was carried out at Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Leonard Geiger and Joseph Rider
Discontinued: 1884
Notes
The original 12.17x42mm rimfire chambering was later supplemented by a longer 12.17x44mm case, and many rifles were converted to centerfire. Norwegian rifles typically used brass butt plates and sword bayonets, while Swedish rifles used steel butt plates and socket bayonets.
Background
Sweden and Norway selected the Remington rolling block after observing the decisive effect of breech-loaders in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War; King Charles XV approved the pattern on 8 May 1867. The action proved so durable that surplus rifles remained in civilian hands well into the twentieth century.