Item Description
Original Item: One one Available. In 1886 ALFRED VON KROPATSCHEK designed an 8mm rimmed cartridge rifle that became the fore runner to the French LEBEL. Known as the 1886 Kropatschek Rifle it's big customer was PORTUGAL. Production lasted from 1886 until 1898, however many saw service in the First World War and later in the Spanish Civil War of the 1930's. Kropatschek's rifles used a tubular magazine (constructed of nickel-plated steel) of his design, of the same type used in the German Mauser Gewehr 1871/84 and the Japanese Type 22 Murata. While designed for black powder, the Kropatschek action proved to be strong enough to handle smokeless powder.
Our example is a very good condition long rifle version, officially designated the Espingarda de Infantaria 8 mm m/1886: 8 mm Infantry Rifle, and unlike most rifles we have had, still retains the original rare bayonet, but it is missing the scabbard. It is fitted with a 32.3" barrel and a full length 8 round tube magazine under the barrel. Ours is marked on the receiver with M.1886 and :- Œ.W.F.G. STEYR / 1886 for Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft, (ŒWG, Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company), also commonly referred to as Steyr Werke. Steyr is an Austrian City just outside Vienna and at the time was the home of the entire Austrian arms production. They made Kropatschek rifles under contract for shipment to Portugal.
Serial number N596 is marked on the barrel and receiver, with the same number marked on the left side of the butt stock. The bolt is an arsenal replacement marked C139 and 201, very common to see on these rifles, which were in service for some time. The receiver bears Portuguese Crown over L.I., for King LUIS 1st who reigned 1838 until 1889.
This rifle still has both butt stock cartouches mostly intact, a real rarity. The left side has a faint Portuguese Crown over L.I., while the right side is has the Steyr dated rondel which is unfortunately too faint to read.
Offered in very good service used condition, this rifle retains its original handguard, which is a real rarity! Most of the handguards were abandoned in the field but this one is still in place! The rifle still has both sling swivels and original side mounted cleaning rod present. Bore is in good condition, with a moderately darker finish and clear lands and grooves. There is some wear and rounding to the lands, but not much oxidation. The rifle cycles correctly, and the magazine cutoff functions as designed, and the magazine feed mechanism appears to work well, though we have not tested it with brass. The safety is functional as well, and the rear sight is fully functional and complete.
The exterior condition is consistent with long service, without any major arsenal reconditioning evidence, just a great deal of nicks and scuffs to the wood as is expected. It has a lovely chestnut brown color, showing darkening near the metal fittings. The metalwork still retains the blued finish quite well on the receiver, with other components faded a bit. As previously mentioned, this example retains its rare colonial top handguard, which is extremely scarce to find.
The included bayonet is extremely scarce and hard to find, and we have only had a few before in our entire history! The design is relatively standard, with a polished single edged blade that has a very slight "Yataghan" curve to it. It is marked on the spine with Steyr 1866, although the marking is almost gone from cleaning. The serial number 774 is clearly marked on the crossguard and an "X" arsenal marking on the ricasso. There is no scabbard present. For more information please see Watts & White’s fine work THE BAYONET BOOK, Page 243, item 545. Condition is very good, having been heavily polished over the years.
Hard to find in this original condition especially with a rare original bayonet! We have rarely had a set like this before! Ready to display!
Specifications (Rifle):-
Years of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: Portuguese 8×60mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32.3 inches
Overall Length: 52 Inches
Action type: Bolt Action
Feed System: 8 Round Tube Magazine w/ Cutoff
Specifications (Bayonet):-
Blade Length: 18 5/8"
Blade Style: Single-Edged Yataghan
Overall length: 23 5/8"
Crossguard: 4”
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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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