Item:
ON1222

Original Norwegian M1860/67 Long Army Kammerlader 11.77mm Breech Loading Infantry Rifle

Item Description

Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very rare Norwegian M1860/67 Long Army Kammerlader rifle, in 4 Linjers (11.77 mm) caliber with hexagonal Whitworth-style rifling. Most of these rifles were either converted to rimfire or melted down as scrap, so finding them in any condition is a real find. The very good condition of this example makes it an opportunity that cannot be missed!

The Kammerlader, or "chamber loader", was the first Norwegian breech-loading rifle system, and among the very first breech loaders adopted for use by an armed force anywhere in the world. A single-shot black-powder rifle, the kammerlader was operated with a crank mounted on the side of the receiver. This made it much quicker and easier to load than the weapons previously used, essentially removing the entire "ramming" process by allowing the chamber to swing out. Kammerladers quickly gained a reputation for being fast and accurate rifles, and would have been a deadly weapon against massed ranks of infantry.

This BREECH LOADING percussion, Under Hammer, Infantry Rifle system was developed in 1842 by a serving Officer "SCHEEL" and a Gunsmith "GREGERSEN". It features a "Crank" on the right hand side which first disengages the chamber , and then swivels it vertically for loading. The Percussion hammer is under the action in front of the trigger and the massive mainspring also acts as a a hammer guard in front of the existing trigger guard. These were originally produced in 18 lødig (gauge) or 17.5mm, but many revisions were made, eventually reducing the caliber to 4 Linjers, or 11.77mm.

The left side of the receiver on this example is marked Model 1860 ____ 4''', designating the specific revision of the Kammerlader series. The Rifle is Serial numbered both 3084 and 377 on the receiver, and there is no provision for a cleaning rod. The top of the chamber is stamped with a CROWN over a K and the date of 1863 over serial number 3084. It is also marked 3084 on the bottom of the breech block around the cap nipple, on the floor plate of the action, on the operating lever, and on the receiver end plate. The Trigger bolster is marked 377 / 1863, and all three barrel rings, sight ring, hammer, trigger guard, and the butt plate are marked 377.

The rifle was an ingenious design but was eventually replaced in the Norwegian Military by the 1867 Remington Rolling block Rifle. Obsoleted these rifles were distributed mostly to the Norwegian public as hunting rifles so few remained unaltered as this one is.

Ready to display in fully cleaned condition, excellent.

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.

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