Product Details
TULA ARSENAL, RUSSIA
A 10.66X57R (BERDAN) BOLT-ACTION SINGLE-SHOT SERVICE-RIFLE, MODEL '1870 RUSSIAN BERDAN', serial no. 44801,
dated for 1882, with 32 1/2in. barrel signed in cyrillic on the top, block and blade fore-sight, elevating ladder rear-sight, octagonal receiver tapering to the rear, bolt with ribbed pear-shaped handle, disc-shaped cocking piece, walnut three-quarter stock, iron furniture and iron under-barrel clearing rod, strong amount of probable original finish remaining, woodwork bruised
Provenance: The cyrillic markings to top read "Imperial Tula Arms Manufactory 1880". 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: as 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, with an estimated total production of all models is over 3 million. The machinery for these factories was supplied by Greenwood and Batley of Leeds. The inventor was Hiram Berdan of Berdan Sharpshooters fame with assistance from Russian Colonel Gorloff. The rifle was known for its accuracy, simplicity, and reliability. Both the Berdan I and Berdan II were used by Guard units in the Russian Army during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Russian forces, although ultimately victorious, were badly mauled by the very long-range fire from Turk Peabody-Martini rifles during the Siege of Plevna. After the war a long-range auxiliary sight was adopted and retro-fitted to the Berdan II infantry rifle. The Berdanka, as it was called, continued in Russian service even after the adoption of the Mosin-Nagant, primarily with reserve and rear echelon units, even after the Mosin-Nagant became plentiful. Many Russian troops had Berdan rifles in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905. During World War I, some Russian second line, training and service units were armed with the Berdan II. It is common to see Berdan rifles in photos of street fighting taken during the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Berdan II is quite rare in the west and most examples appear to have come from sources other than Russia, Finland sold off a large quantity to surplus arms dealers in the late 1940's and it is believed that most of those in store in Russia were recycled during WWI.
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Estimate £400-600
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament