{"product_id":"original-rare-belgian-m-1867-albini-braendlin-11mm-trapdoor-carbine-with-external-hammer-dated-1896","title":"Original Rare Belgian M-1867 Albini-Braendlin 11mm Trapdoor Carbine with External Hammer - dated 1896","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 But once the problem was fixed and the availability of Albinis increased, Terssens were eventually withdrawn from service.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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have found some pictures that match, and this most likely is a type of \u003cem\u003eMousqueton\u003c\/em\u003e (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 \u003cstrong\u003e1896\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ L\u003c\/strong\u003e mark of King Leopold II of Belgium, who reigned 1865 to 1909. This is also dated \u003cstrong\u003e1873\u003c\/strong\u003e, which definitely deepens the mystery regarding this item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plate, hammer, hammer pin, breech block, extractor, interior receiver, butt plate, and even the lock plate are marked with matching serial number \u003cstrong\u003e650\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is quite low for any firearm. There are also some inspection cartouches stamped into the wooden stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rare unidentified Breech-Loading Model, the M-1867 Albini-Braendlin Carbine. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1896\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: 11mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 26 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 45 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single Shot Hinged Breech\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39559843086405,"sku":"ONCM21097","price":2595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONSV21MAX12__01.jpg?v=1633129711","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-rare-belgian-m-1867-albini-braendlin-11mm-trapdoor-carbine-with-external-hammer-dated-1896","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}