1867-74 Swedish Rolling Block Rifles

August 28, 2007

You would think that describing the typical 1867 rolling block would be a simple thing.
How many variations are there? More than you might think.

The rifle above is a 1867-74 rolling block. It differs from the "regular" 1867 in two ways:

1- the rear sight calibrations have been lined through and re-stamped,
2- the buttstock has a higher comb, a superior buttstock profile that puts
the eye more in line with the sights.

Today, Swedish rolling block rifles from the blackpowder era can be found in two caliber configurations and a 3rd different
cartridge on a very small scale. The 12,17x42R rimfire is the original and correct cartridge. However, most of these rifles have
been converted to centerfire with the cartridge designation being 12,7x44R. The 3rd cartridge is the 10.15x51R Jarmann in
very small numbers.

For more information on the 12,7x44R jump over here for a minute and jump back.

The receiver is unremarkable compared to the 1867 model.
The crown/C of the Carl Gustafs stads Gevärsfaktori and date
of manufacture are placed in the same location as other years.













The pivot pin retaining plate is standard Remington design.
Earlier models, from 1867 to roughly 1875, had a locking screw
for each pivot pin, so we may see both means of pivot pin retention.














Typical two sets of inspector's inititals atop the barrel and the crown/C maker's mark
and witness line on the barrel and receiver.

Standard barrel finish on the 1867-74 rifle was browning.











Left side of the barrel directly in front of the receiver shows
two sets of inspector's initials.









This particular rifle has a unit disc indicating
2nd Regiment (of Infantry), 8th Company.
Many different discs are found on the rolling block rifles.












This shows the difference in profile between the 1867 and 67-74 buttstocks.

The one on top is the 67-74. The lower is a typical Swedish m/1867.

Remington m/1867 buttplates are different than the Swedish.










This shows the difference between
the Remington style pivot pin retaining
plate on top and the lower, earlier
Swedish style.

The top rifle is a Carl Gustaf while the bottom
is manufactured by Husqvarna.















The date of manufacture for the barrel may sometimes be found on the bottom of the barrel in front of the receiver, along with more inspector's intials.





Husqvarna 1873 manufacture.

There's no crown above the H as Husqvarna isn't a state owned enterprise, its a private company.











Just because the serial number is 52 isn't a big deal as numbering was started from 1 each new year.

So just how many variations of the Swedish rolling block rifle are there?

1 Remington 1867 with walnut, all American made (I've never seen one)

2 Carl Gustaf 1867 with Remington action, Swedish wood, Swedish barrel

3 Carl Gustaf 1867 made with Swedish action, Swedish wood, pivot pin lock screws

4 Carl Gustaf 1867 made with Swedish action, Swedish wood, Remington style pivot pin retainer plate

5 Husqvarna 1867-68 with Vee barrel threads, 1st year production

6 Husqvarna 1867-68 with square barrel threads, subsequent production

7 Swedish 1867-74, upgrade sight calibrations and high comb stock

8 Swedish 1860-67, A mixed marriage of percussion rifle parts.

9 Swedish 1860-67-68, another mixed marriage of percussion and earlier rolling block parts

10 Swedish 1864-68, slightly reshaped Remington receiver with yet another mixed marriage of previous rolling block parts

Are you confused yet?

I hope not because this isn't a complete listing. Its close but there are sub-variations of the above.

Bayonets

Please visit: Per Holmbeck's most excellent Swedish bayonet website to see the
1867 socket bayonet used by privates and corporals.

Sergents got the prestigeous yataghan blade bayonet with its elegant long curved blade.
Click to see this bayonet at Per Holmbeck's Swedish bayonet site


At some unknown point some of these old rifles were altered into grenade launchers.
Pretty cool, huh?

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