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Civil War Era French St. Etienne Arsenal Percussion Infantry Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD
Civil War Era French St. Etienne Arsenal Percussion Infantry Rifle
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Civil War Era French St. Etienne Arsenal Percussion Infantry Rifle, Converted to Metallic Cartridge Breechloader Utilizing the Snider Patent Trapdoor System, NVSN, .19.7mm (10 bore) CF cal., 32.5" tapered round barrel marked with "G" and "R" sunken cartouches at breech, has blade front, long adjustable folding-leaf rear sights, sliding bayonet lug at right muzzle; back-action lockplate is marked "Mre Impale/de St. Etienne" behind the large curved hammer, Snider-style trapdoor breech-piece has floating firing pin, is marked with an illegible sunken cartouche outside, "56" over "Q" inside, opens to permit single-shot cartridge loading/extraction thru recessed channel in rear of receiver; steel fittings include trigger guard with two finger-grips on long rear tang, flat buttplate, two spring-retained bands (front of the double-strap type with integral nosecap, rear with sling loop, both retaining the tulip-tipped steel ramrod), triangular sideplate. Fullstock of oil-finished walnut is marked at right with a 1" circular roundel marked "J.S. Mats. D. 1865" at circumference and "MI" on inside, "J. Assenac", "4" and several other numbers and letters near sling loop at belly, four proof marks at left side. Mfg'd and altered ca. mid-1860s. Condition is good showing smooth gunmetal gray steel having scattered discoloration and yellowish varnish. Stock is sound showing the expected nicks and shallow gouges of long military service. Action is crisp, bore is bright showing light frosting and deep rifling. Est.: $1,000-$1,500. (Antique)