The rifle was designed by Joseph Rider in 1864 during the American civil war, however by the time the rifle was completed the war was over. Rider then sold the design to Remington and production began in 1867. The Remington rolling block had an extremely strong action, and could easily withstand the increased pressure of the new smokeless powders coming into use by the late 1880s. Remington rolling blocks came in different configurations. Some were made in carbine style, military configuration, sporting versions and even in pistol configuration.