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The tang markings on this well-used example are the earliest found on the New Model Rifle Remington rolling block action, ending with the date April 17 1866. The left side of the frame displays a cryptic “B “ stamping adjacent to the extractor screw. This carbine is equipped with the standard 100- to 500-yard carbine rear sight. Its nearly black, oil-soaked stocks, with assorted gouges and dings, are evidence of hard use. Mechanically sturdy, the action is tight, appearing well-maintained, but the bore rates only fair.

In conversing with several military rolling block specialists and collectors, I found that none has observed a military rolling block having Cambodian or Sanskrit markings or even knew they existed. Removal of the butt stock reveals two matching sets of the alphanumerics D8 2162, stamped on the upper and lower left flats of this carbine, which could be coded serial or casting numbers. The author is still not certain if this is one of the 21,117 Remington rolling block carbines in various calibers purchased by France in the period of 1870-71. The full round barrel is common to the Transformation Conversion Rifle. >Another possibility exists that a .58 caliber Rifle musket barrel could have been Modified and installed on the action.