Identified Philippine Captured Rolling Block Rifle (AL5952)

This inscribed Spanish model "battlefield pick-up condition" Remington rolling block style rifle was made by Ovideo in the 1880s. The overall length is approx. 51.5". The approx. 37" round 43 Spanish (or, possibly, 43 Reformado) centerfire caliber barrel has a good bore with bright rifling and erosion toward the chamber. The front sight blade is missing and the rear sight is a US Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle sight. It has a concave breechblock and external firing pin retractor. There is a circled R on the right side of the action. This may signify conversion the the 43 Reformado cartridge. All the metal has a smooth brown patina. The ramrod is absent but two sling swivels are present. The front and rear barrel bands and the butt plate appear to be from a British Pattern 53 Enfield rifle. The butt stock is fair with a crude nailed and copper sheet repair to the wrist and the expected issue dents and dings. The forend is missing wood at the tip, has a bullet strike in front of  the receiver that knocked wood off both sides, and has a wood inlay where the rear band spring was. The action functions properly. Now for the interesting part. The right side of the receiver is engraved in script "Spanish R(in circle) Built" over "Cprd. by Lieut.Trumbo" over "12 Cav U.S.A.". The top right of the receiver has "1835" engraved, the meaning of which is unclear.

The 12th Cavalry Regiment was stood up in February 1901 at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. In 1901 and 1902, 12th Regiment companies were stationed at various Texas forts. In 1903, the Regiment was sent to the Philippines with all squadrons being in place by August. The 12th Cavalry returned to Fort Oglethorpe, GA, in September 1905. Interestingly, during WWII, the 12th Cavalry was the first unit to reach Manila during the liberation of the Philippines. George A.F. Trumbo was born in South Dakota on April 22, 1878. He graduated from the Tyndall SD High School in 1895. From May 7, 1898 to June 16, 1899, he served as a private and corporal in Company K, 3rd Illinois Infantry. He was a Sergeant and Sergeant First Class in Companies D and I, 45th US Infantry from September 23, 1899 to September 12th 1900. On the 13th of September, he accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 45th US Infantry. He obviously had a lot on the ball as this is a very fast progression from private to second lieutenant, especially in peacetime. On February 2, 1901, he was assigned to the 13th Cavalry as a second lieutenant and on April 8, 1906, he moved to the 4th Cavalry as a first lieutenant. On August 2, 1906, he transferred to the 12th Cavalry. While the above dates don't quite fit, it's obvious Lt. Trumbo served with the 12th in the Philippines, probably on temporary duty from his assigned unit. This isn't unusual now and wasn't unusual then as shortages for overseas assignments were filled from stateside units. This is one of those guns that we wish could speak but it tells a great story as it is.