Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available - As used in the U.S. Civil War. This is a very good example of a typical Belgian Export Short Percussion Rifle, made mostly during the 1860s for the U.S. Civil War Trade. At the onset of the war, both sides were in need of arms, and contracted out for arms production. The North had many willing factories, but the South did not, so they had to turn to the European gun trade. The Belgian City of Liège had long been a gunmaking powerhouse, and there were many willing companies wanting for business.
Dresse Laloux & Cie was one such gun maker, and had manufactured many fine arms during the first half of the 19th century. They made handguns as well as small arms, and we have seen examples of Carbines and Short rifles from the U.S. Civil War Period.
The lock is marked:
DRESSE LALOUX & CIE
LIÈGE
There are also STAR / Z over "Tower of Liège" proof marks on the barrel by the cap bolster and near the barrel joint. These were standard inspectors markings used in Liège, Belgium.
The short rifle is 47 inches long, with a 32 inch 4 groove heavily rifled barrel. We checked the bore, and it is clear with relatively good rifling, with the expected oxidation. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The stock is in very good shape, with no markings that we can see, and a repair under the hammer next to the barrel tang. The rifle has all iron mounts, and still has the original brass tipped iron ramrod. The metalwork has a worn brown patina.
This a good representative example of the many European export weapons that crossed the ocean to serve during the American Civil War, and would be a nice addition to any display of imported arms, having been made in the period.
In lovely condition, a great Belgian-Made Percussion rifle, ready to research and display!
Year of Manufacture: 1860s
Caliber: .59" with four groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 47 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- 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.
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