Original French Experimental Breechloading Lancers Carbine by St. Étienne with Military Museum Markings c. 1860-65
-
Original Item: One of a Kind. This came to us recently from a private Military Museum, amassed after WWII. We can barely imagine where this old boy acquired so many virtually unique forearms in just wonderful condition.
Here we have a French Breech Loading Cavalry Carbine inscribed for the use of Lanciers (Lancers). It is in beautiful condition with lovely markings, and the lock plate still bears the original manufacture marking:
Mre. Imp'ale
de St. Étienne
This is the standard abbreviation for Manufacture Impériale de St. Étienne (Imperial Manufactory of St. Etienne), indicating manufacture at the arsenal at St. Étienne. It is also marked Dépôt Central (Central Depot) on the right side of the chamber and on the trigger guard. The clincher is on the top of the swing out barrel MUSEE DE LA CAV'IE in an oval, for the Cavalry Museum.
In addition there is a brass plaque on the right hand side of the butt marked :-
Modèle d’essai No7
Commission de Vincennes
Carabine de Lanciers
Calibre de 14.7
This translates to: "Test Model No.7, Commission de Vincennes, Lancers Carbine, Caliber 14.7mm". So this was apparently one of several test models experimented with during the transition to breech loading firearms. One can definitely see that the lock is the standard French Back Action 1842 type, so they were working with what they had.
This experimental carbine features all iron mounts, except for Brass trigger guard Bow and sliding brass front stock mount. Upon pushing the nose cap forward it allows the barrel to swivel to the left pivoting to reveal a very nice rifled bore. Barrel length 18 1/2" and measuring 35" in overall length. Never seen anything like this before. Most likely a WWII bring back that has stayed in this remarkable collection ever since.
Ready to Display!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: circa 1860-65
Caliber: 14.7mm
Ammunition Type: Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: 56 inches
Action: Back Action
Feed System: Rotating Barrel
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
