Original Item: Only One Available. The M1867 Werndl-Holub was a single-shot breech-loading rifle that the Austro-Hungarian army adopted in 1867. It replaced the Wanzl breech-loader conversion of the muzzle-loading Lorenz rifle. Josef Werndl (1831-1889) and Karel Holub (1830-1903) designed and patented their design; Werndl later bought out all the rights.

The Werndl-Holub rifle began production in 1867, produced by the the Josef und Franz Werndl & Comp., and it was originally chambered for the 11mm scharfe Patrone M.67 (11.15×42R) cartridge. In 1869, the company changed its name to Österreichische Waffenfabriks Gesellschaft (Austrian Weapons Factory Company or ŒWG). Throughout production some were marked WERNDL on the receiver, while others had the ŒWG logo. In 1877 the Austrian military introduced the bottleneck 11mm scharfe Patrone M.77 (11.15×58mmR) cartridge, and existing Werndl rifles were rechambered the new Cartridge. There were also shorter versions of both these cartridges used by the carbine variants.

This is a very nice example of one of the last models produced, the Werndl-Holub M73/77 "Extra-Corps" Carbine, chambered for the M.77 11x36mmR carbine cartridge. This features an "internal" hammer, wider receiver, and all of the updates made over the years to make the design more robust and reliable in the field. The rear sight was simplified as well, as was the cleaning rod.

It is marked with an Austrian Imperial Eagle on the lock plate over an 882 (1882) date, with the ŒWG maker logo on the top of the receiver. It is also marked on the left side of the receiver, on the rotating breech, and on the left side of the barrel under the sight with serial number 5568B. The rifle also has regimental markings on the butt plate tang, which appears to read 2. T. D. 3885., for the 2. Train-Division. We are not sure if this is a training unit, or one related to the supply train.

The metalwork on the carbine displays a lovely lightly oxidized patina, with just a bit of peppering visible in areas. The rotating breech functions correctly, with the ejector presenting, though we have not tested it on actual brass. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The bore is in excellent condition, with crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish. There is just a small bit of oxidation in the grooves close to the muzzle, and otherwise there is little to no sign of use.

The stock is in very good condition, showing the usual scrapes, gouges, and dents from use in service. It still has a lovely aged wood finish, with some darker areas near the fittings, but no cracking or other structural damage. Both sling swivels are still present and move easily, with the trigger guard swivel being offset to the right side. The original cleaning rod is present, and threads correctly into the stock.

Overall, this is a lovely late example of a very peculiar breech loading system carbine, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1882
Caliber: M.77 11x36mmR Scharfe Karabiner-patrone
Ammunition Type: Center-Fire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 22.25 Inches
Overall Length: 39.5 Inches
Action: Rotating drum bolt with Side Action Lock
Feed System: Single Shot

In spite of the Werndl being long obsolete by World War I, the Austro-Hungarian forces issued Werndl rifles to rear-echelon units to free up more modern rifles for use by front-line troops.

It was adopted by the Imperial Austrian Army in 1869 to replace the WANZL breech loading conversion of the muzzle loading Lorenz Rifle. The Wendl saw extensive service even after it was declared obsolete in the 1880s as it was issued to reserve regiments during the First World War and only finally becoming fully retired in 1918.

The principal feature of the M1867 was the drum-breech, which, while sturdy and secure, compromised extraction. The rifle had a one piece stock with a straight wrist, a back-action lock and an external hammer. There were two screwed barrel bands and a nose cap; swivels lay under the middle band and butt. A cleaning rod was carried beneath the muzzle. A bayonet lug appeared on the right side of the muzzle. Standard infantry-pattern trigger guards were plain ovals, but a finger spur was substituted for Jager units.

Made by Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1867-74

Quantity: 600,000

Rotary-block breech, with an external hammer

Caliber: 11x42mm rimmed

1278mm [50.3"] overall, 4.43kg 9.7 lbs

855mm [33.7"] barrel, 6-groove rifling, RH, concentric

Ramp-and-leaf sight graduated from 200 to 1400 paces

Muzzle velocity 436m/sec with M1867 rifle cartridge

This is the rifle that got Steyrwerks off the ground! As a result of the obvious superiority of the Dreyse Needle guns shown at the battle of Sadowa, Austria decided to adopt a small calibre metallic cartridge breech loader. The Austrians knew that the Wanzl conversion of the M1854 Lorenz was a stopgap at best and they engaged in extensive trials to adopt a successor. The Werndl was principally the invention of Karel Holub who associated with Josef Werndl, director of Styerwerks, to manufacture the rifle. At trials at the Vienna Arsenal, the Remington Rolling Block system was the clear front-runner until submission of the Holub and, when a decision could not be made, both rifles were submitted to the King who, (surprise!) chose the Holub.

This is a rotating drum-action breech loader that can't easily be missed for anything else. When the hammer is drawn back the longitudinal drum breechblock is rotated on a central pin by means of a flat lever protruding from and integral with the drum. The drum has a section cut out to allow loading of a fresh round and, when loaded, the drum/ block is rotated back, the cut-out being replaced by the solid face of the block. The firing pin is located offset within the block in a manner reminiscent of the Snider and Trapdoor blocks and recessed within the block allowing the block to pivot within the receiver.

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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 all US States and most nations around the world.

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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.