The 1878 Remington-Keene: Tube Fed .45-70 Bolt Action Rifle

Published on August 23, 2017
Duration: 14:28

The Remington-Keene rifle, developed by John W. Keene and manufactured by Remington, was a tube-fed, bolt-action rifle chambered in .45-70 Government. Despite competing in the 1878 US military trials and seeing limited adoption by the Navy, it was commercially released in 1880. Its design features a unique bolt disassembly via a left-hand thread screw and a bottom-loading gate with an elevator mechanism.

Quick Summary

The Remington-Keene is a tube-fed, bolt-action rifle chambered in .45-70 Government. It competed in the 1878 US military trials, was adopted in limited numbers by the Navy, and commercially produced from 1880-1888. Its unique features include a bottom loading gate and a bolt disassembly requiring a left-hand thread screw.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Remington-Keene Navy Variant
  2. 00:45Development & 1878 Military Trials
  3. 03:20Commercial Release & Production
  4. 04:37Mechanical Design: Bolt Action & Magazine
  5. 05:41Cocking Mechanism Explained
  6. 07:11Loading System: Gate & Elevator
  7. 08:30Unique Bolt Disassembly Process
  8. 11:22Sights and Magazine Cutoff Feature

Frequently Asked Questions

What caliber is the Remington-Keene rifle?

The Remington-Keene rifle is chambered in the powerful .45-70 Government caliber. This was a common and effective cartridge for military and hunting purposes during the late 19th century.

How does the Remington-Keene load ammunition?

The Remington-Keene features a unique bottom-mounted loading gate and an elevator mechanism. This system feeds cartridges from the under-barrel tubular magazine into the action.

What was the Remington-Keene's role in US military trials?

The Remington-Keene competed in the 1878 US Army magazine rifle trials but was ultimately rejected by the Army. The US Navy did purchase a small quantity, around 250 units, for testing.

What is unique about the Remington-Keene's bolt disassembly?

Disassembling the bolt on the Remington-Keene is distinct due to a special left-hand thread screw located on the side of the receiver. Removing this screw allows the bolt to be taken out for cleaning or maintenance.

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