Remington Model 4 Rolling Block .32

[CHRracing29]

Got a real classic from my grandfather. It's a Remington Model Rolling Block .32. It was used to kill boar on the farm back in the day. I believe it is over 100 years old but I'm trying to find a specific date (not sure if that is possible but I'm going to try) or just a ballpark date when it was manufactured. The best I can do is 1911-1926? based off some research on the internet.

It has an exposed hammer and has a half-cock mechanism. For example, to load a round you have to pull down the hammer that covers the chamber, pop the round in there then close it. Once the round is chambered you have to pull the hammer all the way back and it is ready to fire to engage the safety you have to slowly relese the trigger and hammer until it stops halfway to striking the pin.

No serial numbers and no model number on the gun but I took it to a gunsmith and he gave me the model number and chamber tested it and said it was a .32. The gunsmith said that they no longer make .32 but I could order surplus of it...maybe from another country. I have no plans to shoot it though, just research it and put it on the mantle.

The only markings on the gun is on the barrel and it says, "Remington Arms Co. Ilion, NY".

Any information is much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[rcmodel]

Nice, but it's going to be a wall hanger.

It is probably chambered for .32 Rimfire, and the cartridge is long obsolete.

There is no such thing a foreign surplus .32 Rimfire.

rc

 

[CHRracing29]

http://www.remington.com/products/archived/centerfire/rolling-block/model-4-rolling-block.aspx

I think that's it. Says it's a centerfire though. Doesn't really help me out in giving almost a 50 year range on when they were made. 356,000 made.

 

[rcmodel]

They made way way more in .32 rimfire then in .32 centerfire.

Why they don't show that on the website I have no idea.

But all you need to do is open the breech block slightly and look at it.

If the firing pin is offset to where the edge of a case rim would be, it's a .32 rimfire.
(top edge I think)

If it is exactly centered with the rifles bore, it is a .32 centerfire.

rc

 

[CHRracing29]

I went and looked at it and the hammer just had a circular indentation from where it had hit the primer multiple times. I didn't see anything around the rim like you would see on a spent .22 shell. I think it might be a centerfire but I could be wrong.

Do you know anything about specific parts or the design of the gun and tracing it back to a maufacture date range? I found some stuff on the internet but nothing to narrow it down below 1911-1926.

 

[JohnBT]

"No serial numbers"

I thought the No. 4's had serial numbers. I just looked at 5 ads and they all listed serial numbers. Did Remington stop using serial numbers on the Model 4 in 1921 when they went to the barrel code system?

Old Western Scrounger has .32 rimfire short ammo for sale. Only $4 a shot.

 

[CHRracing29]

$4 a round...as rcmodel said, this one is going to become a wall hanger! I'm going to look it over with a fine-tooth comb and see if I see any numbers on it tomorrow. Even take it apart and see if there are any numbers on the interior then call Remington if there is anything.

I will let you know what I find tomorrow.

 

[Twmaster]

I have a similar rifle. It's in .32 rimfire. Ammo is going to be really fun to find as others have pointed out. I've seen ammo on Gunbroker with prices running (If my memory serves) between $40 and $100+ per box of 50.

The last known new ammo was made in Brazil for Navy Arms in the 1980's. Navy has publicly said they will not be importing this again.

While I have not run into this I've read where some have had failures to fire on rounds in the box that were oriented tip up. Something about wax sealant seeping into the primer and ruining it.

 

[CHRracing29]

Twmaster, does your have serial numbers? Because I'm pretty sure mine doesn't but going to really look tomorrow. Other places I have looked it sounds like others have serial numbers.

 

[Twmaster]

I have not been able to find any serial numbers on this one. I have not tried to disassemble it either. I've been told the numbers are sometimes on the tang and hidden by wood.

 

[Jim Watson]

There is a service that will age and value your Remington. There is a $9.95 fee.
http://homesteadfirearms.com/appraisals/RemingtonModel4/
I have NOT used it and do NOT know how accurate it is.

The Remington employee who listed the No 4 as a centerfire was nuts.
Most if not all were rimfires.

 

[CHRracing29]

I got all set up in my garage to take it apart and the screw has been in the gun for about 100 years and wasn't budging and the screw started to get damaged the harder I tried so I decided to hang it up and be content with an estimated manufacture date. I did look over with a high powered light and through the rust spots I did see what looked to be a small "4" on the barrel for Model 4.

Going out to some family land tomorrow to shoot my Glock and my .22 rifle! Fun times!

 

[Twmaster]

Also, on my RB the caliber is stamped on the bottom of the barrel. It simply says 32.