Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very unusual carbine to find on today's market! In fact, we have not been able to definitively identify this wonderful example!

The Albini rifle (or Albini-Braendlin rifle) was a single-shot 11mm rifle adopted by Belgium in 1867. The action on the Albini rifle was designed by an Italian officer Augusto Albini and was perfected by an English gunsmith, Francis Braendlin. Initially, there were delays and problems with its delivery as the rifle seemed to have extractor issues and the Terssen rifle was adopted as a temporary measure. But once the problem was fixed and the availability of Albinis increased, Terssens were eventually withdrawn from service. The Albini rifles themselves were eventually replaced by M1870 Belgian Comblain rifles beginning in the 1870s.

The rifle has a front-hinged, forward lifting action with a mechanism that works together with the hammer-striker assembly to simultaneously lock and fire the rifle. The breech block itself houses longitudinal spring-loaded firing pin which is struck by a cylindrical striker, the back end of which is attached to the hammer via a screw through the hammer nose, and which passes longitudinally through the rear of the receiver behind the firing pin. When fired, the striker moves into the back of the breech block striking the firing pin and locking the block in place at ignition. Both striker and firing pin move in the same line as the rifle bore. Pulling the hammer back withdraws the striker from the breech block allowing it to be lifted on its pivot pin by means of a small fixed knob on the right side of the block.

We really do not know what this one is, nor did the collector who sold it to us. We do know that it is a type of Belgian M-1867 Albini-Braendlin system rifle/carbine, but that is about it. The barrel is just 26 ½ inches in length and the weapon measures 45 inches overall. It is fitted with a very short carbine style three position rear ladder sight, just 1 ½ inches in length. The back action Albini lock plate does not extend to meet the receiver, as they usually do on the long rifles.

We have found some pictures that match, and this most likely is a type of Mousqueton (Carbine), though we have as of yet been unable to determine the exact type. The barrel bears various manufacturers and proof markings, but also a date of 1896, which appears to be very late for this system of rifle. We have considered that it is a mis-struck 1869, as the same stamp was usually used for the 6 and 9. The right side of the stock has a legible cartouche, showing the CROWN / L mark of King Leopold II of Belgium, who reigned 1865 to 1909. This is also dated 1873, which definitely deepens the mystery regarding this item.

The lock plate, hammer, hammer pin, breech block, extractor, interior receiver, butt plate, and even the lock plate are marked with matching serial number 650, which is quite low for any firearm. There are also some inspection cartouches stamped into the wooden stock.

The barrel is blued, and the action still appears to show some case hardening. There is a steel bracket fitted into the top of the wood butt stock with a 3/8" hole in it, perhaps indicating that this weapon was kept in a rack with a security rod running through this hole together with other similarly outfitted rifles in the same rack. Beautifully made and as stated we have no idea what it was intended for. Anyone with any information would be welcome to inform us, as they are clearly very rare!

Condition is overall very good to excellent. The original finish on the metalwork is still well retained, with no pitting or rust on the exterior. There is a bit of light surface oxidation on the inside of the breech, and on the interior of the hammer, but it will most likely clean off easily. The stock is in good original condition, showing the expected wear for a carbine of this age. The bore, on the other hand, looks virtually unfired. It is bright with crisp lands and grooves, and little to no sign of use.

A scarce 19th Century Rifle that was essentially a stepping stone in breech loading development. Like most European Monarchies Belgium had an overseas empire so these rifles saw a lot of service and Belgian was major international supplier of all types of small arms during this period, equipping many Foreign Countries which continued right up to WWII and later.

A rare unidentified Breech-Loading Model, the M-1867 Albini-Braendlin Carbine. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1896
Caliber: 11mm
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 45 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Single Shot Hinged Breech

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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.

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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.