Remington Gevär M/1873 Prototype
(Remington Rifle M/1873 Prototype)
Husqvarna had already in 1867 started producing military firearms on the Remington Rolling Block action, namely the M/1867 rifle. This mechanism and to some degree also the calibre 12,7x44R, was to be the basic element in many later single shot rifle constructions by Husqvarna, and arms based on the "Rolling Block" system was produced until 1949!
When production of military arms was coming to an end, what was more natural than to continue working with the known technology - by "sporterizing" the M/1867 design into single shot rifles for the civilan market?
And so Husqvarna did. From 1877 and long into the 1900s, there was a broad range of rolling block rifles and shotguns available, the first in their catalogue was to be the Breech Loading Rifle No. 1.
But before the launch of a the broad range of single shot rollers that came in 1877, a number of trial rifles were made. No info on this series is availabe, but there are two known identical rifles that strongly suggests that Husqvarna produced rollers for civilian market prior to 1877, either for testing of the concept, or for plaing good old business.
The rifle shown here has the serial number 33 stamped on one side of the receiver, and the date of manufacture 1873 stamped on the other. The wood is clearly more plain than usual from Husqvarna, and both the checkering of the stock and the rolling block looks a lot more like the M/1867 military models than the later civilian guns.
The calibre is of course the 12.7x44R Rimfire we know so well from the M/1867. This gun has not been modified for use with central ignited cartridges, probably saving it from use and leaving it in the impeccable condition it is.
The sights of the rifle is not like anything else I have seen from Husqvarna. One can guess that the rear sight was considered too expensive, too subject to breakage or too complicated for mass production, since the "1877 family" all have simpler folding leave rear sights.
The forestock and butt has iron furniture that is very unusual for Husqvarna. Again, comparison with the 1877 family reveals that the 1877 family have simpler versions of buttplate and forestock.
The barrel itself has a thimble for a (now missing) cleaning rod, and is octagonal-to-round. Another work intensive operation that is rarely found in the later production.
Single Shot Remington Prototype Rifle M/1873, Overview h1.jpg hi.jpg
Single Shot Remington Prototype Rifle M/1873, Receiver LH side carries the serial number. Note that the bolts are held in place with the same "half moon" screws as used on the M/1867 and that the receiver still has some beautiful color case hardening color left! hi.jpg
Single Shot Remington Prototype Rifle M/1873, Receiver RH side carries the Husqvarna "H" and the year of manufacture 1873. The "H" is identical to the M/1867 "H". hi.jpg
Single Shot Remington Prototype Rifle M/1873, Top view. Note the octagonal-to-round barrel, the forestock furniture that goes around the barrel and the unusual rear sight. hi.jpg
Single Shot Remington Prototype Rifle M/1873, The rear sights. One can also see the "Husqvarna" stamp to the left of the sights..
Reply With Quote
