Remington-Keene Deluxe Sporting Rifle .45-70 Govt 24.5" Half Octagonal Bolt Action Rifle
Our Assessment: This a Remington-Keene Sporting rifle, Remington's first production bolt action. At the time of its invention, the lever-action and single-shot dominated the market with a few bolt actions entering the fray, but they were single-shot designs. The inventor John W. Keene had been awarded patents for a rifle that would feed from a magazine tube but did not have mass production capabilities. This resulted in a mutually beneficial relationship for him and the Remington company and thus the Remington-Keene rifle was born. The magazine tube was similar to the lever actions of the time and the manually cocked action was similar to a musket so it was not hard to transition shooters accustomed to their older rifles. The Navy made a purchase for some of the rifles and the U.S. Interior Department purchased some for Indian Tribal police but sales to the Government were not what Remington had hoped and they soon started marketing sporting rifles. This one is a Deluxe Sporting rifle with a desirable half round and half octagonal barrel which sits in a checkered wood stock with a pistol grip. The production numbers were about 5,000 of all variants, and these don't come up often..especially a submodel as Rare as this, don't pass this gem up. Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Remington
Model: Remington-Keene Deluxe Sporting Rifle
Serial Number: None
Year of Manufacture: 1880-1888
Caliber: .45-70 Govt. (Black Powder Only)
Action Type: Tubular Magazine Bolt Action Rifle
Barrel Length: 24 1/2", Half Round & Half Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a two position folding globe sight dovetailed into a barrel band at the front of the barrel. Inside the globe is a beaded post and there is a small blade on the top, when folded down a blade is presented. The rear sight is a folding two-position sight. When folded down a "U" notch is presented and there is a slider for elevation. When folded up the sight is a "U" notched ladder sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is one-piece checkered walnut with a round bottom pistol grip, a straight comb, and a carbine-style metal buttplate with a hinged door for storage. There are cracks at the top tang. There is a filled repair on the bottom by the loading port. There are some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures approximately 13 1/2" from the front of the trigger to the rear of the smooth metal buttplate. The plate has finish loss, scratches, light erosion, scabbing, and areas of discoloration from previous oxidation. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There are spots of light to moderate pitting throughout the bore. This bore rates 7 out of 10 for its age.Most ANTIQUE firearms have bores that will show erosion. This not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA ANTIQUE Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases the NRA standards disregarded the bore's condition for collectors firearms.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is finish loss on the edges. There are some scattered nicks and scratches in the metal. There are scattered areas of thinning and faint patina. There are some scattered spots of minor oxidation. There are some scattered spots of dark discoloration from previous oxidation. The screwheads are used with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The follower has been replaced with a larger piece of .50 cal brass. The action functions correctly. The hammer is manually cocked after cycling the bolt. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
CA LEGAL: ANTIQUE
RIFLE