Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Imperial Russian Model 1870 Berdan II single shot bolt action infantry rifle manufactured at Tula Arsenal in 1879 and subsequently shortened during its long service life, apparently in connection with later Ethiopian use. It now measures approximately 48 1/2" overall with a 28 1/4" barrel and retains Ethiopian service markings, Imperial Russian arsenal markings, serial number 3791 on the barrel and faintly on the butt plate, and a separately numbered bolt assembly.

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 Berdan II was adopted by Imperial Russia as the Model 1870 and was designed around the work of American firearms designer Hiram Berdan. This example began life as an infantry rifle but has been substantially shortened from the standard infantry configuration. The present dimensions, together with the later Ethiopian markings and extensive service wear, are consistent with the type of alteration encountered on rifles that continued in African service after becoming obsolete in their original European inventories.

The rifle in its present state measures 48 1/2" long with a 28 1/4" barrel, roughly 4 3/4" shorter than it should be, which was common for those in Ethopian service. The receiver originally would have had an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle across the chamber ring over Cyrillic letters Л К, however the eagle marking was defaced at some point. Serial number № 3791 is stamped on the barrel in front of the sight, as well as on the butt plate (faint), while the bolt components are stamped with 137230.

The barrel is marked in Russian Cyrillic by the lower barrel band:

тульский оружейный зав. 1879 г.

which translates to Tula Armaments Factory, Year of 1879 (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 upper 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 right side of the barrel carries later Ethiopian service markings, supporting the rifle’s association with Ethiopian use after it left Imperial Russian service. The stock also has transverse sling slots through the wood at the receiver area, representing a later alteration to its original configuration.

The metalwork has an even aged matte gray and brown patina from long exposure, oxidation, and subsequent cleaning. Areas of old peppering remain visible throughout, consistent with a rifle that spent considerable time in harsh service conditions. The stock is heavily worn, with substantial wood loss from years of use and refinishing to the point that some of the metal fittings no longer align closely with the surrounding wood.

The bolt action presently operates with a strong feel, although its operation can be somewhat finicky. The Berdan II uses a distinctive bolt arrangement in which the handle does not rotate through the full 90 degrees typical of many later bolt action rifles. The bolt retaining screw on the left side of the receiver is missing.

The bore remains surprisingly good considering the exterior wear, with a partly bright surface and strong lands and grooves. There are localized areas of old fouling and oxidation, but no major deep pitting is noted. The rear sight is present and its ladder operates, although the slider no longer remains securely in position when the ladder is raised.

With its 1879 Tula manufacture, Imperial Russian markings, serial number 3791, defaced Imperial eagle, Sestroretsk marked component, Ethiopian service markings, shortened configuration, and well preserved rifled bore, this is a particularly evocative Berdan II showing several distinct stages of military use. The mismatched bolt, missing bolt retaining screw, shortened barrel and stock, heavy stock wear, cleaned oxidation, and defective rear sight slider are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Imperial Russian, Berdan II, Tula Arsenal, Ethiopian military, or advanced 19th century military rifle collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1879
Maker: Tula Armaments Factory
Model: 1870 Berdan II
Serial No.: 3791
Caliber: 10.75×58 mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 48 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.

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 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.