TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing : Featured Gun: The Remington Model 6

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Featured Gun: The Remington Model 6

The Remington model 6 was a single shot rifle, a smaller version of the Rolling Block design.

The story of the model 6 can be traced back to the original Rolling Block.

During the Civil War development of breech loading rifles was going at full steam. One of the designs to come out at this time was a single shot breach loader that had a breech lock and hammer that rotated backwards, both exposing the breech and cocking the hammer. When fired the hammer would act as the breech lock.

Designed by Remington engineer Leonard Geiger sometime in late 1864 or early 1865, the gun was revolutionary for its time. The Rolling Block was used extensively as a military arm throughout the World during the latter part of the 19th century.

Fast forward to 1901, Remington is now owned by Hartly & Graham and has turned its focus on sporting arms as there were no major wars being fought.

The Rolling Block design was scaled down for a takedown "Boys Rifle". Patented on July 22, 1902 the gun was strictly rimfire, chambered in .22 Short, Long & Long Rifle as well as .32 Short and Long rimfire.

Being that the rifle was designed for young men and in minor calibers, the gun had to be affordable and light. Weighing just 3.75 lbs when equipped with the 20 1/8" barrel.

Barrel lengths and over all lengths varied thorough the production run, which lasted from 1901 to 1933 with exactly 498,000 units being produced.

The model was improved in 1903, carrying the designation of "New Model Improved" and then again in 1929 with the name "Improved Model 6".

Interestingly Remington (now owned by DuPont) reissued the model 6 designation to a pump action hunting rifle in 1981. The second model 6 was discontinued in 1987.

I came into possession of a Reminton Model 6 this year, it was among 5 other guns that were gifted to me by the estate of a retired gunsmith. The gunsmith was not able to make contact with the owners of the firearms and had them transferred to his private collection. Being that they all needed parts and repairs, they were donated to me.