Original Imperial Russian Model 1870 Berdan II Infantry Short Rifle by Sestroretsk Arsenal with Crest Serial 102343 - Dated 1881

Original Item: Only One Available. This is lovely antique gun, a Berdan Model of 1870 rifle, also called the Berdan II, manufactured in Russia in 1881. These were 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 is a very impressive Imperial Russian infantry bolt action rifle designed by US Army General Hiram Berdan.

The rifle is 1160mm long, so it looks to have been shortened from the original length, and the barrel is about 645mm long. This is shorter than the "Dragoon" and "Cossack" types, and looking at the muzzle crowning, this may have been done in the field by an armorer. Definitely some interesting research potential here. The receiver displays an Imperial Russian Double Headed Eagle across the chamber ring over Cyrillic letters Л К, which we have seen on other examples. Serial number №102343 is stamped on the barrel in front of the sight, as well as on both parts of the bolt, which do not look to have been remarked. The cleaning rod is not matching, marked F4878 on the side below the brass end fitting.

The barrel is nicely marked in Russian Cyrillic by the lower barrel band: 1881 Сестроре́цкй Оружейный Заводъ. 1880г., which translates to Sestroretsk Weapons Plant, usually referred to as "Sestroretsk Arsenal". The industrial city of Sestroretsk is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, the Sestra River and the Sestroretskiy Lake 34 kilometers northwest of St. Petersburg, Russia. Sestroretsk was founded by Peter the Great in 1714 due to the construction of this arms factory, today known as the "Sestroretsk Toolmaking Factory".

The rifle comes with the original cleaning rod, which has been shortened for the new length, however the end was not re-threaded, so it cannot screw into the stock. The metalwork shows a lovely dark gray patina in overall very good condition, with a bit of past peppering visible in areas. There is now however any major rust, and it has a great service used look. The stock definitely shows refinishing, and shows the lovely dark red brown color seen on Imperial era Russian firearms.

The action is strong and functions correctly, though it is finicky, as these always were. The bolt does not "lock" closed like most bolt action rifles, so it is relatively easy to open the bolt even when it is cocked. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. There is just a bit of light oxidation haze inside, so the rifle looks to have been used relatively little. The rear sight is present and functional, though the slider does not stay in the up position when the leaf is vertical. The front sling swivel is present, however the trigger guard swivel is missing.

In fine collector's condition showing moderate use, definitely a shortened rifle with an interesting history. A very hard rifle to locate today.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1880
Caliber: 10.75×58 mmR
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 25 1/4 Inches
Overall Length: 45 3/4 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

More on the Berdan Rifle:
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.