{"product_id":"original-belgian-m-1870-comblain-infantry-falling-block-rifle-with-brass-fittings-serial-39845","title":"Original Belgian M-1870 Comblain Infantry Falling Block Rifle with Brass Fittings - Serial 39845","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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cem\u003eCOMBLAIN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e BREVETÉ\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e39845\u003cbr\u003eNC\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\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\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\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\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example bears serial number \u003cstrong\u003e39845\u003c\/strong\u003e, and is in very good condition. The action is bare steel, and is marked with additional serial number \u003cstrong\u003e2575\u003c\/strong\u003e, which matches number on the lever and the bayonet stand. Possibly this was re-worked at arsenal. The barrel has been polished to bright steel over the years, matching the action and receiver. The butt plate, nose cap, barrel band, and hand guard screws are brass, while the trigger guard is steel. The upper barrel band with the sling swivel is missing unfortunately, as is the lower sling swivel by the receiver, and one of the handguard screws. The three piece wood stock, butt, fore end and hand guard are in good condition and nicely polished. There are definitely dents and other marks from years of service, including some designs scratched into the right butt stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBore is in very good condition, with clear lands and grooves, and a mostly bright finish. There is a small amount of fouling and oxidation present in the grooves. There are proof marks on the receiver and other parts of the gun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHard to find and ready to display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\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\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 51.2 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\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39577290506309,"sku":"ON12550","price":1795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ON12550__02.jpg?v=1634334649","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-belgian-m-1870-comblain-infantry-falling-block-rifle-with-brass-fittings-serial-39845","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}