Remington Split-Breech Carbine
E. Remington & Sons · Carbine · Discontinued · 1865
Also known as: Old Model Carbine, Split-Breech Carbine Type I, Remington Geiger Carbine
Overview
The Remington Split-Breech Carbine is a single-shot, breech-loading metallic-cartridge carbine produced by E. Remington & Sons of Ilion, New York. Designed around patents by Leonard Geiger and Joseph Rider, it is the first member of Remington's long line of split-breech and rolling-block actioned arms. The action uses a thumb-operated breechblock that is rotated rearward and downward to expose the chamber, which is then loaded with a single .46 rimfire metallic cartridge; closing the breechblock and cocking the external hammer prepares the carbine to fire. Approximately 5,000 small-frame (Type I) carbines in .46 rimfire were delivered to the United States government under Civil War contracts in 1865, making it the last pattern of military carbine delivered to the U.S. government during the American Civil War. The design featured a 20-inch round barrel, a short tapered forend with a two-piece walnut stock, a case-hardened frame, and a saddle ring for cavalry use. Most were issued too late to see combat and spent years in arsenal storage before a portion were issued to state militias. The split-breech action was soon refined into the famous Remington Rolling Block.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3175 g (112.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 857 mm (33.74") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Action Type | Rolling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 300 m/s (984 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 756 J (558 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Case Hardened |
Calibers
- .46 Rimfire · primary — also known as .46 Long Rimfire, .46 Remington, .46 RF
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Saddle Ring, Two Piece Stock, Carbine Butt, Case Hardened Frame
Variants
- Remington Split-Breech Carbine Type II - Large Frame 56-50
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1865 · as Breech-Loading Carbine
- United States state militias · adopted 1865
Conflicts
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 5,000 · Production years: 1865-1866
Approximately 5,000 small-frame Type I carbines in .46 rimfire delivered under U.S. government Civil War contracts; about 1,400 later issued to state militias.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Leonard Geiger and Joseph Rider
Discontinued: 1866
Notes
Often called the 'Old Model Carbine' or Split-Breech Carbine Type I. Small-frame Type I carbines were chambered in .46 rimfire; a larger-frame Type II was chambered for the .56-50 Spencer cartridge. The carbines were produced under contract partly through facilities associated with Samuel Norris of the Savage Revolving Fire-Arms Company.
Background
The Split-Breech Carbine was the direct ancestor of the Remington Rolling Block, one of the most successful single-shot military rifles of the 19th century. Although it arrived too late to fight in the Civil War, the lessons learned from its split-breech action led Joseph Rider to perfect the rolling block, which Remington went on to sell to armies across the world.