Original Item: Only One Available. A gallery gun, Flobert gun, parlor gun or saloon gun is a type of firearm originally designed for recreational indoor target shooting. At the time, as strange as it might seem today, indoor shooting at home or in a shooting parlor was relatively common. Special small caliber low propellant load rifles and pistols were designed, some were even suitable for shooting at home. These guns were first developed in 1845, when French inventor Louis-Nicolas Flobert created the first rimfire metallic cartridge by modifying a percussion cap to hold a small lead bullet. The design was later improved to make larger cartridges, but the original smaller designs continued to be use for target practice. In the 19th century, gallery guns were typically pump-action rifles chambered in .22 Short.

Shooting galleries were however not the only place where a subcaliber low powered rifle were popular, and many of these were also made for Military Cadet training, and would have the form of scaled down military rifles, with full stocks, sling swivels, and the usual form of a military rifle. This is a beautiful Belgian 8mm Flobert Military Training rifle for cadets, utilizing a type of rolling block action to fire relatively low powered rimfire ammunition. Unlike the "parlor" versions, it does have a separate breech block and hammer, as well as an ejector to remove spent cartridges. It features a fully rifled barrel with an octagonal breech area, and a full length stock which goes almost to the muzzle.

The stock is held in place with three iron barrel bands, and the trigger guard is also of iron. We can see that it had a butt plate at one point, however it was removed and the screw holes filled for some reason. The stock is made from lovely "flame figured" wood, probably walnut, and definitely looks to have been refinished and lightly varnished since its time in service. We can also see signs of past modifications to the stock around the barrel bands, which look to originally have had pins in front of them, but now have pins directly through them. There is also some wood missing by the cleaning rod channel above the lower barrel band.

There are no maker markings, however the left side of the barrel is heavily marked with Belgian Markings, including E / L G / * in a "Crowned" oval, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium after 1891. This proof had been introduced for exported arms to comply with new proof laws in Germany. There are also various single letter inspector proofs such as CROWN / R and ★ / L, as well as the "Perron" or Tower of Liège proof. It is also marked FL.8m.1.L, most likely indicating the type of ammunition it was made for, a marking we have seen before. The left side of the barrel is also stamped with 26, which matches the number stamped under the trigger guard, so this is probably the serial number.

Overall condition is very nice, still showing lots of the original bluing in the barrel, with the other hardware showing light wear. We checked the bore, and the bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There are a few areas of past oxidation and fouling, but nothing major. The action works well, though it is a bit stiff, and the firing pin moves freely. The original cleaning rod is still present under the barrel, and removes easily. Both sling swivels are still present and move easily.

Diminutive but ideal for a young Cadet, and we have only really seen one of these previously. Just charming, but still a very rare Military Cadet Rifle ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1895
Caliber: 8mm
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 inches
Overall Length: 42 1/2 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Single Shot

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.