Remington Keene

[SigfanUSAF]

My dad just got one of these in, one you definately don't see everyday. This was Remingtons first attempt at a bolt action, with about 5000 made.
Just thought I'd share some pics

 

[35Rem]

very cool. Check out remingtonsociety.com for more info.

The Remington Society of America is pretty cool. They are a research organization of collectors.

Nice gun. I'd love a Remington-Lee myself. Is this a 45-70?

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Oh yes

Is this a 45-70?

 

[DMK]

Very cool!

Tube magazine?

 

[Onmilo]

Tube magazine, yes.
Wasn't the Govt. issuing these rifles to the Indian Police in Arizona around 1890 or so?

 

[Red Tornado]

That's beautiful. It's in amazing condition for it's age, has it been refinished?
RT

 

[Ash]

Finish looks original to me. That's quite a nice rifle, and quite a nice dad! Certainly looks stronger and more durable than the Vetterli's I have owned.

Ash

 

[alsaqr]

Nice gun!!!

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

That rifle belongs in a museum. Very nice, indeed.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

has it been refinished?

Original in it's entirety.

That rifle belongs in a museum. Very nice, indeed.

Yes, it does, but if it was in for repair don't think I wouldn't be the one doing the test firing at the range

Wasn't the Govt. issuing these rifles to the Indian Police in Arizona around 1890 or so?

I've heard that. I've also only been able to pin down this info:

"3,000 total production, with the majority being military sales"
"5,000 military production with equal ammount for civilian sales"
"5,000 total production, military and commercial"
"Produced between 1880 and 1883"
"Produced between 1880 and 1885"

To much conflicting info on these Keenes, eh? I guess they weren't too big on record keeping.

 

[ARperson]

So are the one you just showed,

and this one:

http://http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=83241666


one in the same?

 

[SigfanUSAF]

They are indeed. I said it's one my dad just got in, I didn't say why
It's a consignment sale. Like I said, if it were a repair, I'd be out test firing it

ETA, I didn't start this thread to promote the auction. It's just not everyday we get to see these, even in our shop. This is probably the second or third Keene I've seen (nice rhyme, eh?) However, the others were many years ago when I couldn't have been less interested in the "classics".

So are the one you just showed,

and this one:

http://www.forthehunt.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=83241666


one in the same?

 

[Molasses]

I'll try and run down some of what my different reference books say on 'em sometime soon and put a synopsis on here. I DO remember that the screw on the right side of the stock below the action is supposed to be reverse threaded, so if you intend to take it down, remember to turn opposite what you normally would on that one. Also that there's a fly in the bolt/sear relation that could be removed to change whether it was left at full cock or half cock on closing. It's also kinda cool in that you can mess with loading through the top a la Mauser 71/84 or through the bottom like a typical modern day pump or autoloading shotty. Sorry, that's all remember off the top of my head; it's been a few years and getting older is hell.

That one's lots better condition than mine, that's for sure. Bubba REALLY got busy on this'n at some point... Not sure what the jezzail rework of the comb was supposed to accomplish...

Someday, when I have time and the inclination, I hope to restock to something resembling the full-length military rifle this one was back when. I've shot 'er as-is with BP and 405 gr. bullets. Nothing to write home or kick about at 200.

At least they didn't mess with the barrel and magazine; I've got a Remington Lee that is going to have to go to carbine configuration because some fool took off all the wood from 3" forwards of the rear band, spliced in wood to make a high monte carlo comb that'd make Roy Weatherby proud, added a ventilated recoil pad and chopped the barrel. Judging from appearances they only gave up after discovering nobody makes scope bases to fit!