Original Item: Only One Available. This is lovely antique gun, a Berdan Model of 1870 rifle, also called the Berdan II, manufactured in Russia in 1880. These were obsoleted in 1895 after the adoption of the M-1891 Mosin-Nagant Rifle. This extremely scarce Imperial Russian Berdan M.II Single Shot Infantry Rifle is a very impressive Imperial Russian infantry bolt action rifle designed by US Army General Hiram Berdan.

The rifle is 1350mm long, indicating that this is truly an Infantry rifle. There is a faded factory cartouche on the right side of the stock, however the date is illegible. The receiver displays an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle across the chamber ring over Cyrillic letters Л К, which we have seen on other examples. Serial number №80838 is stamped on the barrel in front of the sight, as well as on both parts of the bolt, though these may have been remarked. There is no serial stamped on the cleaning rod, however the butt plate is marked with both 6582 and 2836, indicating that this rifle was most likely serviced at arsenal several times, with parts being swapped and / or remarked.

The barrel is nicely marked in Russian Cyrillic by the lower barrel band: тульский оружейный зав. 1880г., which translates to Tula Armaments Factory, Year of 1880 (г. is short for год "god", or year in English). Reconstructed in the 19th century, Tula Arms Factory became one of the most prominent arms factories in Europe. In 1879 the plant started production of the famous Berdan rifle with an improved bolt. The workshop was organized by a model where groups created their own models of small arms and hunting weapons. This increased production of various products: single- and double-barrel muzzle-loading shotguns, breech-loading center-fire rifles.

To the right of the maker marking is ИМЛЕРАТОРСКІЙ, which is the IMPERIAL Russian acceptance marking. We did notice that the lower barrel band is marked on the right side with the "Arrow" proof of Sestroretsk Arsenal, one of the three to manufacture the Berdan, with the other being Izhevsk.

The rifle comes with the original cleaning rod, which is threaded on the lower end and screws into the stock. All metal parts are fine dark gray patina in overall very good condition, with no real peppering or pitting visible, except on the butt plate, which shows a good amount of removed oxidation, probably from the butt plate resting on the ground. The stock definitely shows refinishing, and shows the lovely dark red brown color seen on Imperial era Russian firearms.

The action is strong and functions correctly, though it is finicky, as these always were. The bolt does not "lock" closed like most bolt action rifles, so it is relatively easy to open the bolt even when it is cocked. The bore is in excellent barely used condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. It does not show much sign of ever having been used. The rear sight is present and fully functional, and it even retains the "volley sight" on the right side, which is used with the small cone on the right of the front barrel band. Both sling swivels are present and correct.

In fine collector's condition showing moderate use, definitely a rifle with a history. A very hard rifle to locate today.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1880
Caliber: 10.75×58 mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

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.

More on the Berdan Rifle:
Hiram Berdan was one of the demigods of American rifle lore. During the American Civil War he organized Berdan's Sharpshooters, one of the first specially trained sniper units. But after the war he was an influential weapon and ammo designer. But like so many inventors during the late 19th century, he was virtually ignored in his homeland and found success and fame abroad. The 10.75mm round he developed featured the first modern centerfire rifle primer, which became the standard European primer pattern (by contrast the American Boxer primer was invented by a British Army officer who was equally ignored in his own country). The round and the bolt action single shot rifle that accompanied it were adopted by the Imperial Russian Army in the late 1860s, and these remained in service until the late 1890s.

The model of 1870, or Berdan II, is a single shot bolt action with a distinctive short, pear-shaped, bolt handle. The bolt handle serves as the only locking lug for the action, and when closed, points upwards at a 30 degree angle, rather than horizontally. The Berdan II was produced in four variants: an infantry rifle, the lighter and slightly shorter dragoon rifle, a Cossack rifle with a button trigger and no trigger guard, and a cavalry carbine. Infantry and dragoon rifles were issued with quadrangular socket bayonets. Initial production of the Berdan II was at Birmingham Small Arms in England. The rifles were later manufactured in large numbers by Russian factories at Tula, Izhevsk, and Sestroretsk. Estimated total production of all models is over 3 million. The rifle was known for its accuracy, simplicity and reliability.

The rifle was patented in USA in 1870, and was adopted as a service weapon by only two states, Russia and Bulgaria. At the time, Berdan II was among the most powerful service rifles in the World. Berdan rifles were still in use during the World War One, as a secondary weapon. Many Berdans were captured by Austro-Hungarians and Germans, and consequently, were reissued to their armed forces.

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 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.