At the conclusion of the Civil War, the U.S. Government found itself with a surplus of hundreds of thousands of muzzle loading rifle-muskets that were quickly becoming obsolete due to the introduction of breech loading cartridge arms. The most cost-effective solution to keep up with the rapidly advancing arms technology was to convert these muzzle loading rifle-muskets to breech loaders. Around 1868 the government contracted with Remington for a small number of their rolling block actions which were fitted to .58 caliber barrels and modified stocks from Model 1861/63 rifle-muskets, the barrels received a brazed in liner to support a new chambering in the then standard .50-70 Government cartridge. Most of these conversions initially maintained the original barrel length of the rifle-musket, with almost the entire stock being later shortened to 36 inches like this example. The standard two-line Remington address and patent dates ending in 1866 are visible on the upper tang, "255" on top of the barrel at the breech, and "E.S.A." and "S.W.P." cartouches on the left of the wrist. The barrel retains the block blade front and single leaf Model 1864 rear sight. The stock has been correctly modified to two-band configuration, with the third band spring correctly filled on the right, which is faintly visible, and fitted with the "US" marked buttplate. Discreet "GDM", George D. Moller collection mark, is visible at the toe. Includes a "US" marked socket bayonet, leather sling, and wood tampion. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Fine, retains traces of the original case color patterns on the receiver with the balance a grey and silvery-grey patina and the remainder of the metal showing mostly the armory bright finish with a few scattered patches of light pitting. The reoiled wood is also fine as armory modified with some scattered minor dings and scratches, a stabilized hairline crack in the right of the forearm, and legible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet is fine with some light pitting. A fine representative example of one of the most scarce U.S. Remington rolling blocks!