
What You Need to Know: West Mercia Q&A on Firearms Licensing
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Romania adopted the M1868 Peabody rifle in 1879 chambered for the unique 11.43x49R cartridge made by the Providence Tool Company of America. The Providence Tool Company had difficulty in obtaining payment for the Turkish Rifles and subsequently went bankrupt in 1882 An alternative source of supply for rifles for Roumania was sourced from Steyr O.E.W.G (Osterreichische Waffenfabrik Gesellschaft) for the hammerless Model 1879 Martini which is visually identical to the mark 1 British Martini Henry rifle including the chequered butt plate, large cocking indicator and the bulbous clearing rod. This rifle is one of those models which retains most of its original blued finish to the metalwork. The rifle is stamped on the left hand side of the receiver with the Steyr monogram with STEYR 1882 stamped into it. The right hand side of the receiver is stamped in a monogram ARMATA ROMANA ARMA Md 1879. The breach and barrel carry the matching serial numbers of N 4783 together with various proof and inspection stamps. The rifle is fitted with sling swivels, block and blade fore sight, graduated ladder rear sight, the correct chequered steel butt plate and a leather sling. The rifle measures 49” overall with a 33” rifled barrel which has crisp rifling and light staining consistent with age and service use. The metalwork retains most of its original blued finish and the original woodwork is in excellent condition. The cocking and firing actions work crisply. The price for this rifle includes UK delivery. NB As an antique obsolete calibre rifle no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21119