~ 1886 Dated 1871/84 Model Austrian Kropatschek Steyer Rifle ~
A Kropatschek is any variant of a rifle designed by Alfred von Kropatschek. 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.
The rifle is a Mauser Model 1871 chambered in 11mm using black powder cartridges which after troop trials in 1882 and 1883, was updated in 1884 with an 8-round tubular magazine designed by Alfred von Kropatschek, making this the German Army’s first repeating rifle. This version was designated the Gewehr 1871/84, of which over a million examples were produced.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire made their versions under licence at Styer. This is the case of our example.
The receiver is stamped “OE. W,E,G, STEYR 1886, The Crown over L.I and M 1886”.
The bolt is stamped BB906 and the barrel and the right side of the receiver frame “A47”.
There are two arsenal circular stamps on both sides of the wooden stock.
The rifle can cock and fire.
~ Condition ~
The bolt and most of the mechanics are worn. Please observe the short video and the pictures.
JADE0