Thoughts On The .43 Spanish And The Remington Rolling-Block Rifle

During the 1860s, many innovations in both guns and ammunition were developed and employed by the military powers of various countries.

- Bob Shell

Breech-loading firearms were one of the big leaps in technology, and of those, one of the most interesting is the “rolling-block” rifles and handguns. An American designed the action, and Remington had the patent. The United States military evaluated them but chose the trapdoor Springfield instead, although there were military pattern rolling-block rifles produced in .50-70 and .58 Berdan rimfire. The U.S. did, however, use a .50 Army and Navy rolling-block handgun. Some other countries bought rolling blocks for military or sporting purposes as well.

Joseph Rider, an employee of Remington, who followed up on the original idea, invented the rolling-block action in 1866. Leonard Geiger designed the original concept. He applied for and was granted a patent in 1863. Remington saw the potential of the design and hired Geiger along with Joseph Rider, their chief engineer, to improve the design. In 1866, Sam Remington took the rolling block “on the road” to demonstrate its good features. The Spanish were impressed but wanted to do their own testing. Therefore in 1866, they purchased 10,000 .58 rimfire rifles for their own evaluation. They subjected them to saltwater and humidity testing and were impressed. Since Spain still owned such places as Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto Rico, the ability to withstand humidity was important to them. They also wanted their own cartridge, so the .43 Reformado was brought out. It was a straight-walled case and used a .454-inch diameter bullet weighing 396 grains; 74 grains of powder propelled the bullet 1,280 fps.