Item Description
Original Item: One Only. In 1886 ALFRED VON KROPATSCHEK designed an 8mm rimmed cartridge rifle that became the fore runner to the French LEBEL. Known as the 1886 Kropatschek Rifle it's big customer was PORTUGAL. Production lasted from 1886 until 1898, however many saw service in the First World War and later in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930's. Kropatschek's rifles used a tubular magazine (constructed of nickel-plated steel) of his design, of the same type used in the German Mauser Gewehr 1871/84 and the Japanese Type 22 Murata. While designed for black powder, the Kropatschek action proved to be strong enough to handle smokeless powder.
Our example is an excellent condition short rifle version also known as a ligth carbine called the Carabina de Caçadores 8 mm m/1886: 8 mm Light Infantry Carbine. Often called a "short rifle", these are somewhat rare, with only around 4,000 made overall.
It is fitted with a 26" barrel and a full tube magazine under the barrel. Ours is marked M.1886 and :- Œ.W.F.G. STEYR / 1886 for Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft, (ŒWG, Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company), also commonly referred to as Steyr Werke. Steyr is an Austrian City just outside Vienna and at the time was the home of the entire Austrian arms production. They made Kropatschek rifles under contract for shipment to Portugal.
Serial number C157 is marked on the barrel and receiver. The bolt is an arsenal replacement with mismatched numbers. The receiver bears Portuguese Crown over L.I., for King LUIS 1st who reigned 1838 until 1889.
Offered in very good condition with sling swivels and original side mounted cleaning rod present. Bore is in very good condition with clear lands and grooves, a bright finish with just a bit of wear. The stock is excellent, as it was arsenal refurbished and refinished, though this has removed all of the original markings are cartouches. The metalwork has been polished and either made bright steel or blued. The rifle cycles correctly, and the magazine cutoff functions as designed. Only issue we can see is that the upper band cross pin is missing, which could be easily replaced.
Hard to find in this wonderful condition, all dressed up and ready to display!
Specifications-
Years of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: Portuguese 8×60mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 inches
Overall Length: 45 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tube Magazine w/ Cutoff
MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
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.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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