Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and unusually well preserved Austro-Hungarian Werndl M1873/77 Extra-Korps-Gewehr, or Special Corps short rifle, manufactured by the Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft at Steyr. Originally produced in 1876 and subsequently brought to the M1873/77 standard, it bears matching serial number 6261 across the principal numbered components and a desirable 2. P. B. / 562 unit marking consistent with issue to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion. Particularly appealing is the excellent bright bore, together with its distinctive Werndl rotary breech, internal hammer system, original cleaning rod, and attractive service patina.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Werndl-Holub was adopted by the Austrian military in 1867 as its first purpose-built metallic cartridge breechloading service rifle, replacing the Wänzl conversions of earlier Lorenz muzzleloaders. The action was developed by Josef Werndl and Karel Holub and used a massive cylindrical breechblock that rotated sideways to expose the chamber for loading. It was a distinctive and mechanically robust solution during the rapid transition from muzzleloading percussion arms to metallic cartridge breechloaders.

Production was initially undertaken by Josef und Franz Werndl & Comp. at Steyr. In 1869 the concern was reorganized as the Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, usually abbreviated ŒWG, and later Werndl arms commonly bear the company's characteristic monogram.

The improved Model 1873 represented an important refinement of the original M1867 system. Most visibly, the exposed external hammer arrangement was replaced by a lower profile internal hammer mechanism contained within the action, while the receiver and other components were strengthened and simplified. The shorter carbines and special corps rifles based on this improved action were adopted during the 1870s for mounted troops and specialized branches that did not require the full length infantry rifle.

This example belongs to the short Extra-Korps-Gewehr family intended for specialized troops such as pioneers, engineers, artillery personnel, gendarmerie, medical formations, and other branches. These arms shared much with the cavalry carbine but differed in details of sling arrangement, sighting equipment, and, on various patterns, provision for a bayonet.

The lock plate bears a small Austrian Imperial Eagle above the date:

876

indicating 1876 manufacture. The top of the receiver carries the maker's:

Œ
WG

monogram for the Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft at Steyr.

The top of the barrel breech is marked:

Wn77

indicating acceptance or inspection at Vienna in 1877. This combination of an 1876 dated lock and 1877 barrel acceptance is entirely plausible for a military arm assembled, inspected, or subsequently processed over more than one production cycle.

Serial number:

6261

is found on the left side of the receiver, rotating breechblock, buttplate, and left side of the barrel beneath the sight. The nose cap and several screws also carry the corresponding abbreviated:

61

Based upon the numbered parts inspected, this is a very desirable matching example with no obvious major numbered components replaced.

The buttplate tang is marked:

2. P. B.
562

This marking is consistent with 2. Pionier-Bataillon, or the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, with weapon or inventory number 562. The pioneer attribution is particularly appropriate for an Extra-Korps-Gewehr, as special corps Werndls were specifically associated with engineer and pioneer formations as well as other specialist branches.

The original 1870s Werndl ammunition system went through several developments. The early arms were chambered for the original 11mm centerfire cartridges, while the later M1877 program introduced more powerful bottlenecked ammunition and corresponding sight and chamber alterations. This example's M1873 configuration and later acceptance history are consistent with the M1873/77 family. Because contemporary and modern references differ in the exact cartridge nomenclature applied to the various short Werndl patterns, we would identify this conservatively as an 11mm Werndl centerfire M1873/77 Extra-Korps arm rather than assign a precise cartridge case length without chamber measurement.

The metalwork remains in very good condition overall and has developed an attractive lightly oxidized gray and brown patina. There is scattered light peppering in places but no major deep pitting, active rust blooms, or serious metal loss. The markings remain clear and the surfaces have a pleasing military appearance without signs of aggressive modern refinishing.

The rotating breech operates correctly during careful manual inspection. Turning the cylindrical breech to the loading position exposes the chamber, and rotating it farther brings the spring loaded extractor into operation. The extractor presents correctly, although we have not tested extraction with an actual cartridge case.

The internal hammer and lock mechanism also function correctly. The action holds at half cock and releases properly from full cock with a crisp dry fire.

The bore is in excellent condition, remaining fully bright with exceptionally crisp lands and grooves. There is only light wear visible along portions of the lands and essentially no significant old fouling or oxidation apparent. The excellent bore is one of the strongest condition features of this carbine.

The walnut stock remains in very good service used condition. It retains an attractive aged finish with darker coloration around portions of the metal furniture and displays the expected scrapes, dents, gouges, and handling marks from military use. We do not see any major cracks, structural repairs, or significant areas of replaced wood.

Numerous small M shaped marks have been cut or stamped into both sides of the stock. Their purpose is unknown. They may represent unofficial decoration, personal markings, or simply idle additions made during the carbine's service life, but we have not found evidence establishing an official military meaning and would not attribute them more specifically.

The original style cleaning rod remains present and threads correctly into its retaining point in the stock, although it can be somewhat difficult to remove. The upper sling swivel is present. The swivel normally associated with the trigger guard area is missing, and there is also an unused sling mounting point on the underside of the buttstock without its swivel. Short Werndl carbines and Extra-Korps-Gewehre were produced and later modified with several sling arrangements, and examples are encountered showing features associated with both the cavalry and special corps patterns. The present configuration may therefore reflect later service alteration, although the exact sequence cannot be determined.

With its 1876 manufacture date, Wn77 Vienna acceptance, matching serial number 6261, desirable 2nd Pioneer Battalion unit marking, original cleaning rod, functional rotary breech and internal hammer mechanism, very good stock, and exceptionally bright bore, this is a particularly appealing example of the unusual Werndl system. Its Special Corps configuration and pioneer marking make it especially suitable for a collection of Austro-Hungarian military arms, early metallic cartridge breechloaders, engineer and pioneer weapons, or the transitional service rifles of the 19th century.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1876
Maker: ŒWG Steyr
Model: M73/77 Werndl–Holub Extra-Corps Short Rifle
Serial No.: 6261
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
Federal Classification: Antique Firearm

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.

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 all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the 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.