{"product_id":"original-belgian-m-1870-comblain-falling-block-carbine-with-saber-bayonet-serial-61022","title":"Original Belgian M-1870 Comblain Falling Block Carbine with Saber Bayonet - Serial 61022","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One Only. Invented by Joseph-Hugo Comblain, a Belgian Gun designer from Liege, this is a single short falling block weapon of ingenious design. It was adopted by Belgium, Brazil and Chile, but was up against the British Martini Henry Rifle of even better design that dominated most of the 1870s. It is marked on the side of the receiver with (partly worn away):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eCOMBLAIN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e BREVETÉ\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e61022\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eNC\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was described by W.W Greener in his 1871 book \u003ci\u003eModern Breechloaders: Sporting and Military\u003c\/i\u003e (page 214):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis rifle is called No.2, to distinguish it from the first Comblain, which is a modification of the Snider principle. The Comblain no 2 has the vertical sliding block and guard lever of the Sharp rifle; but the arrangement for exploding the cartridge is different.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe mechanism of the lock is fixed in the breech block, which consists of the ordinary main-spring acting upon a tumbler by a swivel. The tumbler and striker are made in one piece; the sear and trigger are also in one piece . By depressing the lever the breech block is brought down, the cartridge-case extracted and the rifle is cocked. A fresh cartridge being inserted, and the lever returned, the rifle is ready for firing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe hinge screw can be removed without the aid of a turnscrew, which arrangement allows the breech block and lock to be taken out for the purpose of cleaning.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe breech arrangement is strong and simple. It is used by the Belgian volunteers, and has been severely tested both at Liege and Wimbledon.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example bears serial number \u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003e61022\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, and is in very good condition. The action is bare steel, and is marked very faintly with additional serial number \u003cstrong\u003e24540\u003c\/strong\u003e , which matches the number bayonet stand and bolt. There are various other proofs and markings on the receiver and barrel, however they are faint due to wear. There is also an arsenal rondel on the left butt stock, which is not entirely legible, but looks to be South American, and has a visible \u003cstrong\u003e1874\u003c\/strong\u003e date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall the metalwork has a worn patina, with some areas of light pitting, later ground out. This definitely is a carbine that saw quite a bit of use, and was not stored in the best of conditions for a while. The brass barrel bands were at some point replaced with steel, and the lower band fits poorly, sliding around. The upper steel band has a sling swivel on the left side, and there is also a sling swivel forward of the trigger guard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine comes complete with the original cleaning rod. Bore is in good condition, with clear lands and grooves, and a partly bright finish. There is however oxidation and fouling, particularly right by the muzzle. Also, while the action does open, it cannot cycle completely, as the main spring and trigger look to have been removed at some point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carbine comes with a very nice long \"yataghan\" saber bayonet, very similar to the bayonet for the French M1866 Chassepot rifle\u003cspan\u003e. The steel surface has light overall pitting, which has made any markings impossible to see. The brass handle has a lovely dark green patina. Just a lovely bayonet that would look great on a wall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHard to find and ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Carbine)-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1870. Pre-1898\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 11×50mm R Comblain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBarrel Length: 23 Inches\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 38 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Falling Block\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Bayonet):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 22 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edge \"Yataghan\" w\/ Fuller\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 27 1\/4“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 4”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39273085960261,"sku":"ON12267","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON12267__10.jpg?v=1627890929","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-belgian-m-1870-comblain-falling-block-carbine-with-saber-bayonet-serial-61022","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}