Two Interesting Remington-Lees (w/pics) Second Post

857 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by GeneM, Mar 26, 2010

RP

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2010 (Edited)

This is the second of two posts regarding two Remington Lees I found at the Baltimore Show this weekend.

Model 1899 Remington-Lee (30-40 Krag)

Again…sort of a mystery and apparently a museum example as well (still verifying). In any case it’s a spectacular example and I couldn't pass on it.

- Caliber is 30-40 Krag
- No visible serial number on receiver except for a “522” stamped in stock behind the trigger guard
- No military markings, proof marks or caliber designation (I have not yet disassembled) except for an “H” stamped in stock forward of the trigger guard.
- Trying to verify in the leaf-sight is the same as on the military (“Michigan”) model
- Has original military sling
- Has bolt stop mechanism to prevent an accidently opened bolt from picking up a second cartridge and jamming the rifle. However this one has apparently been peened therefore not allowing the bolt to return to full open thus ejecting case (This can be easily remedied).

All comments, information etc welcom.

Thanks,
RP

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RETREAD

· #2 · Mar 21, 2010

That is a killer piece I have read that the 30-40 versions were produced for the Michigan Guard Did any go to Cuba to arm their militia, or were they only armed with the US Krag ?? .

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RP

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 21, 2010

Thanks...below is a Cuban contract 30-40 carbine I have in the collection. They contracted for some 3000 rifles and carbines. I have never seen a rifle variant offered. I had posted these pics a while ago on another thread but were lost in the move to the new system. Happy to post them again.
RP

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RayG_Wisconsin

· #4 · Mar 22, 2010

Two beautiful rifles, Ray

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GeneM

· #5 · Mar 24, 2010

RP - Agreed two exceptional condition firearms. Both lacking serial numbers make me wonder if they were part of the Remington 1949 sale. Do they have either a brass tag or marks where the brass brads were holding the tags. See the previous post. The issued Cuban carbines have a serial number just below the Cuban Crest. See p.61 of the book. As mentioned before some 2,600 carbines and 400 rifles were sold to the Cuban Government. The carbines went to the Rural Guard and the rifles to the Artillery Corps. The Lees came back in 1913 -14 to Remington where they were refurbished and 1,153 carbines were sold to the French Automobile Corps in 1914. The refurbishment included polishing off the Cuban crest, rebluing and woodwork. A straight edge will show a slight dip of 2 -3 thousands where the crest was polished off and a bright LED light at an angle sometimes shows the faint outline. Also my refurbished rifle shows slight pitting along the wood line. The refurbished arms have a small proof mark, RP in a rectangular box, on the right side of the barrel just ahead of the front barrel band, see p.62 of the book.

Your rifle has the later fittings found on the Model 1902 Rolling Block which were used on the Cuban Contract carbines and rifles. The rear sight base is a variant of the Michigan Model because of the more rear placement on the barrel. That bolt interrupter is made of soft steel and usually is missing or badly bent.

I wonder if the dealer has any info on the previous owner(s) of these arms. Bruce Stern had a number of the Remington Lees, including several factory pieces. I know he documented his arms as we chatted a number of times about his Lees. He had picked up several of the factory pieces from a dealer in PA just days ahead of me. There was also a collector down south that aquired several of the factory arms.

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RP

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 24, 2010

Thanks Gene...The Cuban we know about. I posted that as reference for Retread's response. That's the one we discussed a while back and determined that it is the missing brass tag #49 piece. It does have the brad holes. You sent me copies of the lists. The 1899 rifle (which I found this weekend) does not have brad holes (I check immediately). I have not disassemble yet to inspect more thoroughly but will shortly. I am curious about it's provenance and will research more on it's alleged museum ownership. And yes the interupter is soft. As i noted it appeared peened but my gut is telling me that this was caused by the bolt hitting against it and causing some metal to be shaved upward causing it remain in the interuped position.

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RP

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 26, 2010

Yet another interesting detail....

Don't know how I missed this. It sits right under the bolt handle. A possible Turk test rifle that didn't make it there?

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GeneM

· #8 · Mar 26, 2010

RP - I forgot we chatted about your ex Museum Cuban Carbine Brass Tag #49. I do not have a clue about the stamp under the bolt handle. Remington inspectors normally did not stamp there. I wonder if it is a circle that was not fully struck with a star enclosed. No records of the Turks testing the Model 1899, by then they were well into Mausers.

Remington must have been sloppy about serial numbering the Model 1899s. I have a factory heavy sporter and a Michigan National Guard military rifle, both are not serial numbered and were not in the Museum collection.
GeneM

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Two Interesting Remington-Lees (w/pics) Second Post

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