Spanish Rolling Block M1871

Fabrica de Armas Oviedo · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1871

Also known as: Fusil Remington Modelo 1871, M1871 Spanish Remington, Spanish Reformado, Oviedo Rolling Block

Overview

The Spanish Rolling Block M1871 is a single-shot, breech-loading rolling block rifle that served as the standard infantry arm of the Spanish Army from its adoption in 1871. Built under license from Remington Arms primarily at the Fabrica de Armas de Oviedo and in smaller numbers at Euscalduna in Plasencia, it chambered the powerful .43 Spanish (11.15x58mmR) black-powder cartridge. The action uses Remington's rolling block breechblock locked by the hammer, and Spanish-made examples are distinguished by a transverse bolt through the rear of the forestock. Roughly half of production was later rechambered to the .43 Spanish Reformado as the M1871/89.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	4250 g (149.9 oz)
Overall Length	1315 mm (51.77")
Barrel Length	940 mm (37.01")
Action Type	Rolling Block
Firing Mechanism	Hammer Fired
Trigger Type	Single Action
Magazine Capacity	1 rounds
Muzzle Velocity	410 m/s (1345 fps)
Muzzle Energy	2068 J (1525 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	500 m (547 yd)
Maximum Range	1200 m (1312 yd)
Rate of Fire	10 rpm
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Number of Grooves	6
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Walnut
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.43 Spanish (11.15x58mmR) · primary — also known as 11.15x58mmR, 11mm Spanish Remington, .43 Remington Spanish

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Single Shot
Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
Features: Rolling Block Action, Ramp And Leaf Rear Sight, Transverse Forestock Bolt, Socket Bayonet Lug

Variants

Spanish Rolling Block M1871/89 Reformado - Rechambered

Service history

Operators

Spanish Army · adopted 1871 · as Fusil Remington Mo. 1871

Conflicts

Third Carlist War (1872-1876)
Ten Years' War (1868-1878)
Spanish-American War (1898)
Philippine Revolution (1896-1898)

Production

Estimated total produced: 350,000 · Production years: 1871-1893

Approximately 350,000 rifles and specialty variants produced at Oviedo and Euscalduna; about half later converted to the M1871/89 Reformado pattern.

Origin

Country of origin: Spain

Designer: Leonard Geiger

Discontinued: 1893

Notes

Distinguished from other rolling blocks by a transverse bolt through the rear of the forestock. About half of all rifles were converted to the M1871/89 Reformado pattern in the smaller-bore 11.4x58R Reformado cartridge with sights extended to 1,200 m. Declared obsolete in Spanish service in March 1909.

Background

By the time of the 1898 Spanish-American War the obsolescent .43-caliber Remington rolling blocks had largely been replaced in front-line Spanish units by the smokeless 7mm Mauser, but large numbers remained in colonial and second-line service and in the hands of Cuban and Filipino combatants.