Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This is a 1/3 scale Remington number 1 rolling block sporting rifle made by U.S. Miniatures, Ltd. of Deep River Connecticut about 30 – 35 years ago. U.S. Miniatures was going to do limited edition 1/3 scale rifles, similar to what the U.S. Historical Society was doing with Colt revolvers. They were going to make an exhibition grade deluxe edition which was engraved with checkered wood, and a standard version of which this is one. Only one of the engraved rifles was ever made, and it is pictured in their original advertising. U.S. Miniatures tooled up, spent a bunch of money on full page color ads in gun magazines, then made 13 of these rifles, (1 engraved & 12 standard) and went belly up. The rifle is 13 7/8″ long with a 9 1/8″ octagon rifled barrel. The receiver, triggerguard, hammer, and rolling block are case colored. The balance of the steel parts are properly polished and blued. Straight grained walnut stock and Schnable type forearm. The top of the barrel marked “E. REMINGTON & SON. ILION N.Y.”. This rifle is fully functional with a rifled barrel, functional extractor, & the hammer has both half & full cock. The lower tang marked “002”. This rifle has been fitted after the fact with a fully functional long range vernier tang sight made and installed by master machinist and miniature maker Lew Callahan of California. Complete with the original deluxe key lock hinged top walnut case. The interior bottom has a removable walnut framed glass cover with two lifting knobs to keep fingers & dust off of the rifle. Accessories include 2 original dummy rounds with silver colored bullets and the brass case key. The primer pockets of the dummy cartridges are recessed so as not to damage the firing pin when firing the miniature with a dummy cartridge in the chamber. The case interior bottom is plush lined in a dark green velour, and has a compartment covered by a removable walnut lid to house the key & dummy cartridges. I will include color copies of the original brochures which I happen to have in my reference library. This rifle originally came with 3 dummy rounds, one which has been lost, and a brass magnifying glass with a velvet drawstring pouch which is also missing. The rifle is in near mint new condition. The case shows some minor bumps & bruises. A very rare & seldom offered for sale miniature rifle! !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
The original two prototype rifles used in the U.S. Miniatures advertising and brochures are shown below, and now reside in my small personal miniature collection.
