Original Belgian M-1867 Albini-Braendlin 11mm Trapdoor Infantry Rifle with External Hammer – dated 1868 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very unusual rifle to find on today’s market!

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 But once the problem was fixed and the availability of Albinis increased, Terssens were eventually withdrawn from service.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.

Our example is dated 1868 on the left side of the barrel nocks form and butt plate tang, and has multiple proofs and inspection marks on the metal work. Serial number 4906 is marked on top of the barrel nocks form (partial), butt plate tang, and also on the hammer extension. The breech opens and the action looks to function correctly. The firing pin is present, and still presents from the front of the bolt and springs back. The rifle is fully operational from what we can see.

The metal is in its original steel color, the markings appear all to be present, though some are worn and faded. The stock bears the usual scuffs and dents from military handling. The metalwork is in very good shape, with a lovely faded blue in places, while other areas have been polished bright over the years. This has the looks of a rifle that has been well cared for for decades, if not centuries. The bore is also in very good condition, bright with clear lands and grooves. There is just a bit of fouling and wear in places. The rifle comes with its cleaning rod, though it is not numbered, so could be an arsenal replacement. The trigger guard sling swivel is missing as well.

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 scarce Breech-Loading Model, the M-1867 Albini-Braendlin Rifle. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1868
Caliber: 11mm
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Overall Length: 34 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 53 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Single Shot Hinged Breech

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.