Make: Remington

Model: Greek Contract Rolling Block

Serial Number: G40053, matching upper and lower tang

Year of Manufacture: 1869-1870 / ATF Classification: Antique

Caliber/Gauge: .43 Spanish

Action Type: Single shot, rolling block

Barrel Length: 33.75"

Sights/Optics: The front sight is a raised blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a Greek Contract folding ladder sight adjustable  from 100 meters to a kilometer.

Grip/Stock Configuration & Condition: The furniture is two piece wood with a straight wrist grip, 3 banded forend, straight comb, and a smooth metal buttplate. The buttplate shows moderate wear with some oxidation and dings. The furniture shows moderate wear with pressure dings, scuffs, and scratches. There is a crack running from both the upper and lower tang. There is scattered chipping on the edges of the furniture. This furniture rates in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued and Case Colored

Finish Originality: Arsenal Refurbished

Bore Condition: The bore is grey and the rifling is lightly worn. There is light erosion  and spots of light pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish as most has turned to patina or worn off. There is some good case color in the receiver. There are scratches, dings, and moderate freckling throughout most of the metal surfaces. The screw heads range from having faint to heavy marring and retain turnable slots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as an antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this firearm. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This Greek Contract Remington Rolling Block, serial number G40053, dates to circa 1869 to 1870 and represents one of the earliest large-scale foreign military adoptions of Remington's famed rolling block system. In the years following the American Civil War, Remington aggressively pursued overseas contracts, and Greece was among the nations that selected the rugged, simple rolling block design to modernize its infantry armament. These rifles illustrate the global spread of American firearms technology during the late 19th century, when metallic cartridge arms rapidly replaced percussion systems across Europe.

Chambered in .43 Spanish with a 33.75" barrel, this rifle reflects the early centerfire military cartridge era, when large-caliber black powder rounds dominated battlefield doctrine. The .43 Spanish cartridge was widely adopted in Europe and Latin America and became closely associated with Remington's rolling block exports. The bore rates 7.5 out of 10, and the action functions correctly, demonstrating the enduring mechanical strength that made the rolling block system so attractive to military buyers worldwide.

Approximately 10% of the arsenal refurbished finish remains, consistent with a rifle that saw service and later rework in military channels. The upper and lower tang are matching, supporting structural continuity and originality of key components. As a Remington Greek Contract Rolling Block from the early metallic cartridge period, this rifle stands as a tangible artifact of post Civil War arms commerce and the rapid international adoption of American-designed military rifles.