Mystery Remington Keene

The museum where I volunteer as a firearms historian has a unique Remington Keene carbine that was used by guards on the Deadwood Stage, more properly, the Cheyenne and Black Hills Stage and Express Line The line was in operation from 1876 to 1887.

I am unable to make an accurate identification of the firearm. I believe that the Remington Keene was produced in six variants: Hunter (sporting rifle), Musket, Carbine, Navy, Army and Indian Carbine or Frontier Model.

Our carbine most closely resembles the Frontier/Indian Carbine. Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, 9th Edition gives this description of that model: "Made for the U.S. Department of the Interior for arming Indian Police 1880-1881. 24" barrel with carbine style barrel band at muzzle; sling swivels; carbine buttplate without flanged top and marked U.S.I.D. with serial number on left side of frame and also government inspectors' marks on frame and stock.

Our firearm has the same stock configuration as the Indian Carbine, has the two sling swivels, and barrel band at the muzzle. However the carbine buttplate does have a flanged top. It does not have the U.S.I.D. mark, serial number, or inspector's cartouche/marks. The barrel length is 20 inches, not 24. Flayderman does not list a 20 inch barrel on any variant. The barrel and magazine tube do not appear to be shortened. The E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, N.Y stamp on the rear top of the action has been partially ground off. The two line patent dates remain. The only other mark is .45 and 70 on the left rear of the action.

Any thoughts about this firearm will be appreciated.

 

No info, but lack of knowledge of these guns caused me to look them up.

I thank you for introducing me to an interesting Remington variant I was not aware of.

 

Well, we'll want some photos obviously -- looking forward to seeing some.

We've just begun rewatching the Deadwood TV series. If you've seen a number of Shakespeare's plays, once you get past all the profanity you'll begin to notice that many of the scenes in Deadwood feature recognizable Shakespearian parallels.

BTW, a Remington-Keene (with a period-correct-ish offset scope mounted) featured in one of my favorite Tom Selleck westerns, Crossfire Trail.

 

PICS...PICS...PICS... Gotta have pics...

 

Flayderman is not 100%
Here is one of several 20" carbines on the www
https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/products/156971-remington-keene-carbine-45-70-al7126.html

 

I don't own a copy, but there is supposed to be coverage of the Remington Keen in Bruce Canfield's U.S. Military Bolt Action Rifles.



He also did an article on it for the April 2009 issue of American Rifleman.

I don't recall seeing anything in Man At Arms/Gun and Sword Collector on this rifle, but if you want to check through the back issue list to make sure it is available here:

https://gunandswordcollector.com/back-issue-list/

 

Thanks for the information. As usual, the knowledgeable people here have solved the mystery. I cannot find directions on how to post pictures. The carbine in the museum's collection is identical to the one in the link posted by Jim Watson.