13.9mm (.55 caliber). 37.5" barrel. NSN. Bright finish, iron mountings, Austrian beech stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading rifle altered to cartridge breechloader via the Wanzl system and then returned to percussion muzzleloading for sale in the African trade in the late 19th century. Equipped wth the original Wanzl pattern leaf rear sight, standard Austrian offset oval base Barleycorn front sight and bayonet lug, sling swivels in the toe of the stock and through the stock between the middle and lower bands and an original Lorenz ramrod. Lock marked "862" forward of the hammer and with a small double-headed Austrian eagle at the tail of the lock. Replaced 3.75" chambered breech section with integral tang with Liege proof marks. 

After the overwhelming loss by the Austrians following the 1866 Austro-Prussian War, where the Prussian needle guns severely outmatched the muzzleloading Austrian Lorenz rifle muskets, the Austrians started to alter their percussion guns to breechloading cartridge rifles. This was accomplished via the Wanzl trap-door style system. When those guns became obsolete and were sold as surplus, many were turned back into muzzleloading guns in Liege for sale in the African trade. This is one of those guns with a new percussion breech section, almost certainly made of iron. Most of the other Wanzl modifications were left in place, including the Wanzl rear sights and relocated sling swivels. An interesting piece of European military firearms history.  {ANTIQUE}

About Fine, as altered and then re-altered. Bore mostly fine and bright with strong rifling. Metal lightly cleaned to bright with scattered freckles of surface oxidation and some age discoloration. Markings remain mostly clear and legible. Mechanically functional lock. Wood fairly crisp with scattered bumps, dings and mars. Most authorities do not consider these reconverted iron breech guns safe to shoot.