Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is antique gun, Model of 1870 manufactured in Russia in 1879. Obsoleted in 1895 after the adoption of the M-1891 Mosin-Nagant Rifle. This extremely scarce Imperial Russian Berdan M.II Single Shot Infantry Rifle, Dated 1879 is a very impressive Imperial Russian infantry bolt action rifle designed by US Army General Hiram Berdan.
Hiram Berdan was one of the demigods of American rifle lore. During the American Civil War he organized Berdan's Sharpshooters, one of the first specially trained sniper units. But after the war he was an influential weapon and ammo designer. But like so many inventors during the late 19th century, he was virtually ignored in his homeland and found success and fame abroad. The 10.75mm round he developed featured the first modern centerfire rifle primer, which became the standard European primer pattern (by contrast the American Boxer primer was invented by a British Army officer who was equally ignored in his own country). The round and the bolt action single shot rifle that accompanied it were adopted by the Imperial Russian Army in the late 1860s, and these remained in service until the late 1890s.
The model of 1870, or Berdan II, is a single shot bolt action with a distinctive short, pear-shaped, bolt handle. The bolt handle serves as the only locking lug for the action, and when closed, points upwards at a 30 degree angle, rather than horizontally. The Berdan II was produced in four variants: an infantry rifle, the lighter and slightly shorter dragoon rifle, a Cossack rifle with a button trigger and no trigger guard, and a cavalry carbine. Infantry and dragoon rifles were issued with quadrangular socket bayonets. Initial production of the Berdan II was at Birmingham Small Arms in England. The rifles were later manufactured in large numbers by Russian factories at Tula, Izhevsk, and Sestroretsk. Estimated total production of all models is over 3 million. The rifle was known for its accuracy, simplicity and reliability.
The rifle was patented in USA in 1870, and was adopted as a service weapon by only two states, Russia and Bulgaria. At the time, Berdan II was among the most powerful service rifles in the World. Berdan rifles were still in use during the World War One, as a secondary weapon. Many Berdans were captured by Austro-Hungarians and Germans, and consequently, were reissued to their armed forces.
The rifle is 1350mm long, indicating that this is truly an Infantry rifle. There is a faded factory cartouche on the right side of the stock, however the date is illegible. The receiver displays an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle across the chamber ring and Cyrillic letters. Different serial numbers are stamped on the barrel (35098), bolt (14192) , cleaning rod ( 37679 ) and the buttplate (78992). No serial numbers are present on all the remaining parts, as is correct for this model of rifle.
The barrel is nicely marked in Russian Cyrillic: Ижевскій Оружейный Завод , which translates to: Izhevsk Armaments(or Firearms) Factory. After this is a small marking followed by the barrel serial number.
The rifle comes with the original cleaning rod, which is threaded on the lower end and screws into the stock. All metal parts are fine dark gray patina in overall very good condition, with almost no pitting visible. Bore is in excellent condition with crisp rifling and a bright finish. The action is strong and functions correctly, though it is finicky, as these always were. The upper sling swivel is unfortunately missing.
In fine collector's condition showing very moderate use. Much original blue, a rifle with a history. A very hard rifle to locate today.
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1880
Caliber: 10.75×58 mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 33 Inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
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.
- 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.
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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