Good Wanzl model 1860 Rifle

The Wanzl rifle is significant as it was the first breech loading rifle of the Austrian Hapsburg Army and was developed in 1860 utilising a conversion of the Lorenz muzzle loading rifle.
The rifles were manufactured in both centrefire and rimfire calibres (14mm x 33mm) and the calibre is obsolete so can be owned in the UK without a license.
The lock of this rifle is dated 1862 and is a centrefire rifle in excellent condition with a tight action and clean bore. The rifle exhibits numerous military markings and the unit it was issued to would be researchable.
The rifle was replaced by the Werndl rifle in 1867 but unbelievably was still in use at the end of World War One which is a testament to their robustness. Some 70,000 rifles were converted and survival rates in good condition are low.
An interesting rifle seldom encountered in the UK.

Code: 50635