Description

Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle — Rolling Block, .38-55 WCF, 26″ Barrel

The Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle is a modern reproduction of the Remington rolling block, built in Italy and chambered in .38-55 Winchester.

Read that again if you came here expecting a muzzleloader. This is a breech-loading cartridge rifle, not the Model 1841 percussion musket that shares the Mississippi name.

Which Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle Is This?

Pedersoli builds two guns under this name, and the overlap causes genuine confusion.

The Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle is a .54 calibre percussion muzzleloader — the Mexican-American War musket. It loads from the front with loose black powder and a cap.

The Rolling Block Mississippi — this rifle — is a single-shot breech-loader taking metallic cartridges. It is a different gun in every respect except the name.

If you wanted the muzzleloader, look at our black powder rifles, including the Armi Sport 1861 Springfield in .58 percussion.

How the Rolling Block Works

This rifle uses Remington’s rolling block. It is one of the strongest and simplest single-shot actions ever built.

Thumb the hammer back, roll the breechblock open with your thumb, drop a cartridge in, roll it shut. Firing locks the breechblock behind the hammer, so pressure is carried by steel bearing directly on steel.

It armed armies for decades and it is still in production more than 150 years later. That is the argument for it.

Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle Specifications

• Cartridge: .38-55 WCF (.38-55 Winchester)
• Capacity: Single shot
• Barrel: 26 inches, high-carbon steel, broach rifled, blued
• Twist rate: 1:18
• Overall length: 41.9 inches
• Weight: 7.5 lbs
• Frame: Alloy, engraved, satin nickel “old silver” finish
• Stock and forend: American walnut, brass fittings
• Grip: Straight
• Front sight: Blade
• Rear sight: Adjustable, semi-buckhorn
• Tang: Drilled for a Creedmoor (vernier tang) sight
• Handedness: Ambidextrous
• Country of origin: Italy
• Threaded muzzle: No
• Optic mounts: Not included

Why .38-55 Winchester

The .38-55 was introduced by Ballard in 1884 as a target cartridge. It pushes a .379″ bullet of around 255 grains at roughly 1,320 fps.

It is a black-powder-era cartridge with mild recoil, excellent accuracy at the ranges it was designed for, and a devoted following in cowboy silhouette and single-shot target shooting.

It is also a specialty cartridge. Availability is limited compared with modern loads, so plan your supply before you buy the rifle.

The Tang Is Drilled — Use It

The Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle ships with a semi-buckhorn rear sight. Period-correct, and functional at short range.

The tang is drilled for a Creedmoor vernier sight, which is what this rifle actually wants for target work. That sight is not included.

Budget for it. On a single-shot target rifle the tang sight is not an accessory — it is most of the accuracy.

Who Buys This Rifle

Cowboy action and single-shot silhouette competitors shooting period cartridges.

Collectors who want a shootable rolling block without paying original-Remington prices.

Anyone who values a light, simple, handsome rifle over magazine capacity.

At 7.5 lbs, with a walnut stock and brass fittings, the Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle is meant to be looked at as well as shot.

FFL Transfer — Not a Muzzleloader

Because the Pedersoli Mississippi Rifle is a cartridge firearm, it ships to a licensed FFL dealer in your state. It cannot be delivered to a residential address.

That is the key practical difference from the Model 1841. Muzzleloaders can generally ship direct to the buyer; this cannot.

Provide your dealer’s FFL details after checkout. Buyers must be 18 or older federally for long guns, 21 in some states.

Verify legality at your delivery address before ordering. See our terms and conditions, or contact us about ammunition availability. Cartridge specifications are published by SAAMI, transfer rules by the ATF, and safe storage guidance by the NSSF.

Browse more rifles available online, or compare period cartridges in our 45-70 ammunition and wider rifle ammunition range.

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SHORT DESCRIPTION (above Add to Cart)

Italian-built reproduction of the Remington rolling block in .38-55 Winchester. 26″ high-carbon broach-rifled barrel, 1:18 twist, engraved alloy frame in satin nickel, American walnut stock with brass fittings, blade front and adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, tang drilled for a Creedmoor vernier sight. 41.9″ overall, 7.5 lbs. This is a breech-loading cartridge rifle, not a muzzleloader — FFL transfer required. Tang sight not included.

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💬 Before You Go — Shooting .38-55?

Own a Mississippi rolling block? Leave a review — and tell us where you source .38-55, because that’s the question every prospective buyer of this rifle actually has. If you came looking for the 1841 percussion musket instead, tell us — we’ll point you at the right rack. 🎯

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Please purchase and use firearms responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. This is a breech-loading cartridge firearm and ships only to a licensed FFL dealer in the purchaser’s state; it cannot be delivered to a residential address. Purchaser must meet the minimum legal age in their jurisdiction — 18 federal minimum for long guns, 21 in some states. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify legality at the delivery address prior to purchase. Orders that cannot legally be transferred will be cancelled and refunded in accordance with our published returns policy. Not for sale to persons prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or state law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a muzzleloader? No. Despite the Mississippi name, this is a breech-loading rolling block firing metallic .38-55 cartridges. The Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle is a separate .54 percussion muzzleloader.

Does it ship to my house? No. As a cartridge firearm it must ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer and background check. That’s the practical difference from a muzzleloader.

What is .38-55 Winchester? An 1884 target cartridge pushing a .379″ bullet of about 255 grains at roughly 1,320 fps. Mild recoil, excellent accuracy, strong following in cowboy silhouette shooting.

Is .38-55 easy to find? Not especially. It’s a specialty cartridge with limited commercial production — plan your supply before buying the rifle. Contact us about sourcing.

Is the tang sight included? No. The tang is drilled for a Creedmoor vernier sight but the sight is a separate purchase. On a target single-shot it’s worth budgeting for.

What is the frame made of? An engraved alloy with a satin nickel “old silver” finish. Pedersoli specify a zinc-based alloy, not aluminium.

Can I mount a scope? No mounts are included and the rifle is set up for iron sights. This is a traditional configuration.

Is it left-hand friendly? Yes. The rolling block action is operated by thumb from either side and the rifle is listed as ambidextrous.