Original Austro-Hungarian Model 1867 Werndl–Holub 11.15mm Rotary Breech Parade Rifle – Dated 1871 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The M1867 Werndl-Holub was a single-shot breech-loading rifle that the Austro-Hungarian army adopted in 1867. It replaced the Wanzl breech-loader conversion of the muzzle-loading Lorenz rifle. Josef Werndl (1831-1889) and Karel Holub (1830-1903) designed and patented their design; Werndl later bought out all the rights.

This very interesting example looks to have seen long service, and then was set up as a “Parade” rifle for Honor Guard and other ceremonial uses. The barrel and receiver look to have been etched and possibly phosphate coated, giving them a lovely dull gray look. The breech block, lock, and fittings were all nickel plated after being etched or sandblasted, and now have a “frosted” look. In spite of this, the rifle still has regimental markings on the steel butt plate. It is nicely dated 1871 (871), with an Austrian Imperial Double-headed Eagle on the lock plate tail.

ŒWG (Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft) produced the Werndl and chambered it for the 11mm scharfe Patrone M.67 (11.15×42R) cartridge. In 1877 the military rechambered the Werndl for the bottleneck 11mm scharfe Patrone M.77 (11.15×58mmR) cartridge. Some were marked with the ŒWG logo on the receiver, while others such as this are marked WERNDL. It is also marked St.71 on the barrel, indicating acceptance in 1871, the year it was produced. The rifle also has regimental markings on the butt plate tang, which appear to read 27. L. St. B. / 1338., for the 27th Landsturm (Land Storm) Battalion, weapon 1338.

The metal finish on the rifle is definitely quite interesting, a mixture of matte gray and frosted nickel plating. We’ve never really had one quite like this, and it certainly must have looked interesting on parade. The stock is in very good shape, with a polished finish and a lovely dark red brown color. There are the expected small dents, chips, and other marks from handling and service. There is also a chunk missing between the lock plate and the receiver, where the stock is very thin, a common place for damage to occur. The bore shows clear lands and grooves, with a mostly bright finish. There is just a bit of light overall oxidation and fouling, making this a really great bore, considering it is from the age of black powder.

Overall, this is a great example of a very peculiar breech loading system, ready to own and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1871
Caliber: 11.15×42mmR
Ammunition Type: Center-Fire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 50.4 Inches
Action: Rotating drum bolt with Side Action Lock
Feed System: Single Shot

In spite of the Werndl being long obsolete by World War I, the Austro-Hungarian forces issued Werndl rifles to rear-echelon units to free up more modern rifles for use by front-line troops.

It was adopted by the Imperial Austrian Army in 1869 to replace the WANZL breech loading conversion of the muzzle loading Lorenz Rifle. The Wendl saw extensive service even after it was declared obsolete in the 1880s as it was issued to reserve regiments during the First World War and only finally becoming fully retired in 1918.

The principal feature of the M1867 was the drum-breech, which, while sturdy and secure, compromised extraction. The rifle had a one piece stock with a straight wrist, a back-action lock and an external hammer. There were two screwed barrel bands and a nose cap; swivels lay under the middle band and butt. A cleaning rod was carried beneath the muzzle. A bayonet lug appeared on the right side of the muzzle. Standard infantry-pattern trigger guards were plain ovals, but a finger spur was substituted for Jager units.

Made by Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft, Steyr, 1867-74

Quantity: 600,000

Rotary-block breech, with an external hammer

Caliber: 11x42mm rimmed

1278mm [50.3″] overall, 4.43kg 9.7 lbs

855mm [33.7″] barrel, 6-groove rifling, RH, concentric

Ramp-and-leaf sight graduated from 200 to 1400 paces

Muzzle velocity 436m/sec with M1867 rifle cartridge

This is the rifle that got Steyrwerks off the ground! As a result of the obvious superiority of the Dreyse Needle guns shown at the battle of Sadowa, Austria decided to adopt a small calibre metallic cartridge breech loader. The Austrians knew that the Wanzl conversion of the M1854 Lorenz was a stopgap at best and they engaged in extensive trials to adopt a successor. The Werndl was principally the invention of Karel Holub who associated with Josef Werndl, director of Styerwerks, to manufacture the rifle. At trials at the Vienna Arsenal, the Remington Rolling Block system was the clear front-runner until submission of the Holub and, when a decision could not be made, both rifles were submitted to the King who, (surprise!) chose the Holub.

This is a rotating drum-action breech loader that can’t easily be missed for anything else. When the hammer is drawn back the longitudinal drum breechblock is rotated on a central pin by means of a flat lever protruding from and integral with the drum. The drum has a section cut out to allow loading of a fresh round and, when loaded, the drum/ block is rotated back, the cut-out being replaced by the solid face of the block. The firing pin is located offset within the block in a manner reminiscent of the Snider and Trapdoor blocks and recessed within the block allowing the block to pivot within the receiver.

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