Item Description
Original Item: Only one Available. This is very nice and interesting example of an Austrian M1854 Lorenz Percussion musket, almost certainly imported for use in the U.S. Civil War Many European powers were beginning to move to cartridge firearms, and with a huge market in the United States, sold off many of their soon to be obsolete firearms. Some of these reached the Northern Union forces, but more often, they were sent to the South, which did not have nearly the same level of industrial capacity.
This example was purchased at a recent military show and then fully cleaned to put it in its best light. The general rule of thumb on these is that the rifles that were shipped to Confederate forces were kept in the original .5473 in (13.9 mm) caliber, while the ones sent to the Union were all converted to take the standard .58 caliber that the Federal Government had started using in 1855 when they adopted the Minié ball. This example has a worn bore that measures out to about .59", so it is definitely one imported by Union forces, as other imports would have been left in the original caliber. The lock of this example looks to have been replaced at some point, possibly prior to importation, with an earlier pattern. This does however still bears the Austrian Imperial Eagle on the lock plate tail, as well as a date of 849, for 1849, which puts it perfectly into the Pre-U.S. Civil War Time Frame.
The rifle has the correct long range M1854 Lorenz pattern long range flip up rear sight, which has three range notches. Behind this is a faded maker marking, which looks to read "FIMEAHRER', though we have doubtless misread it due to the powder burn in the area. Both sling swivels are present and move well, and the correct brass tipped iron cleaning rod is still present, with intact but worn threads on the end. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. The bore is worn, showing oxidation and powder fouling, however it still also shows clear four groove rifling present. The stock is in very nice shape, with a lovely color, having stood the test of time quite well. There are some dents and small chunks missing, but nothing out of the ordinary for a rifle that has seen this much service. There also looks to possibly be some repaired cracking on the rear left by the barrel tang.
A fantastic example of an Austrian Lorenz short rifle, almost certainly used during the U.S. Civil War. Ready to research and display!
Specifications (Rifle)-
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1860
Caliber: about .59 inches
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 37 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Side action Percussion lock
Feed System: Single Shot
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
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.
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