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LOT 3448
Belgian Proofed Experimental Prototype Breech Loading Falling Block Centerfire Rifle - NSN, 45 CF cal., 32 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, highly figured walnut stock. Manufactured c. mid-1860s to 1870s. This Belgian proofed unidentified experimental prototype breech loading rifle is the
only example of its kind witnessed by this writer. It uses a centerfire falling breech block that lowers using the trigger guard as a lever, with a latch inside the trigger guard for unlocking.
When the falling block is at its lowest point of travel, an extractor is actuated, and the breech is open to allow single shot loading of metallic cartridges, inserted from the right side. A cocking
lever is located on the right of the casehardened receiver, with an internal hammer and firing pin. Circled “E/LG” Liege proof stamped on the left breech of the barrel, with small Belgian proofs also on
the breech, receiver, and falling block. Fixed front sight and graduated ladder rear sight, with a bayonet lug on the right of the barrel. Chambered for an unidentified .45 caliber centerfire cartridge, with four-
groove rifling. An experimental breech loading rifle such as this was very likely intended for military trials.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish with a plum brown appearance on the barrel, 95% plus attractive vibrant original case colors on the receiver and components, with sharp markings and edges in the
metal overall. Stock is very fine, with attractive grain, a pin-sized hole in the left of the buttstock likely from a display plaque, some light scuffs on the right of the buttstock, small lines in the forend from display, and distinct
edges. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3447
Extremely Rare Austrian Experimental Prototype Schulhof Patent Military Bolt Action Magazine Rifle Dated 1884 - Serial no.
577, 11 mm Mauser cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. Offered here is an incredibly rare experimental prototype Schulhof bolt
action magazine rifle that was very likely intended for military trials, dated 1884 on the left of the receiver. This is the only example of its kind having been
witnessed by this writer. This specific rifle was developed by Josef Schulhof (1824-1890), a prolific Austrian firearms designer, and follows similar features outlined in U.S. patent number
267,265 granted to Josef Schulhof on November 7, 1882, and originally filed June 22, 1882, with the firearm depicted in the patent visually different from this example offered but following the
same general principles in terms of function of the magazine. Josef Schulhof moved to Vienna in 1870 to work as a gunmaker, patenting a repeating rifle in 1882 and a manually operated repeating pistol in
1884, among other things. He would submit a rifle of a different design made after this example, with a rotary magazine, to the U.S. Ordnance Board at Springfield Armory for field testing in December 1888 when the
U.S. Government was looking for a new modern bolt action rifle as a replacement for the aging Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle. This rifle is marked “PATENT SCHULHOF 1884” on the left of the receiver. “10.95” marked on the upper left
breech area of the barrel which was found to properly chamber the 11mm Mauser cartridge, making it an attractive option as a potential candidate for the German military who already had that caliber in use. There is a magazine
cover/door on the left side of the buttstock that is released with a button latch and opens to allow access for loading. Inside the magazine compartment is a spring loaded cartridge feeder that pushes cartridges downwards where
are grabbed and fed into a magazine tube front to back running through the stock, similar to the Winchester Hotchkiss rifles of the same time period. The left side of the rifle also has a small lever which acts as a magazine cutoff. To
engage the magazine the lever is rotated upwards, where it attaches with the bolt and links it to the magazine, where the ratcheting cartridge feeder mechanism in the buttstock is actuated for feeding every time the bolt is cycled.
The bolt has rear locking lugs with an internal firing pin. Tang mounted safety mechanism. It has a standard inverted V front sight and a Mauser Model 1871 type rear sight. Small crown above Gothic letter military type proof marks
on the barrel, receiver, bolt, and various components. The full and partial serial number “577” is marked on the bolt, barrel bands, rear sight, trigger guard, interior of the magazine door and some internal components, buttplate,
and various screws. Fitted with a walnut stock with a full length forend, with a right side mounted bayonet lug on the front band that appears to be of the same pattern as the Mauser Model 1871 rifle.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% original brown finish on the barrel, with partially bright surfaces on the receiver and bolt, areas of dark oxidation and pitting, and defined markings in the metal. Stock is very good, with dents and
scratches, a few light cracks, and defined edges. The bolt binds up upon trying to close due to internal bolt components shifting out of place, in which it will not close unless the trigger is pulled, otherwise mechanically functions.
This extremely rare 1884 experimental prototype Schulhof patent bolt action magazine rifle is worthy of an advanced military firearms collection!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500