Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this outstanding bolt-action rifle today for a penny-start auction, this is the ŒWG Steyr Portuguese Kropatschek M.1886 Infantry Rifle!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: ŒWG Steyr in Austria
Model: Portuguese Kropatschek M.1886 Infantry Rifle
Serial: HH81
Date of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: 8x60mmR (Black Powder)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 32.3"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Ladder Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver, in the front is stamped Œ.W.F.G. STEYR 1886, which stands for Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company, Steyr), along with the crown over “L.I.” proof mark in the middle, and “M.1886” to the rear. The right side of the barrel and receiver is stamped with the serial number “HH81”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In the late 19th century, Portugal, like many European nations, sought to modernize its military rifles. Although it had once maintained a vast colonial empire, Portugal lacked the infrastructure to produce firearms domestically. Consequently, the country turned to the Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr for assistance. Initially, Portugal adopted the M1885 Guedes rifle, designed by Lieutenant Luís Fausto de Castro Guedes Dias of the Portuguese Army. These rifles were similar to the navy's Modelo 1878 but were chambered for the Guedes' 8mm cartridge. In 1886, the Guedes order was canceled, and a new contract for 40,000 Kropatschek rifles was made. The Portuguese Kropatschek rifle was a bolt-action shoulder arm with a tubular magazine and a magazine cut-off, initially designed for black powder cartridges. The tubular magazine system, developed by Alfred von Kropatschek in the 1870s, was based on a design by Ferdinand Fruwirth.
Model: Portuguese Kropatschek M.1886 Infantry Rifle
Serial: HH81
Date of Manufacture: 1886
Caliber: 8x60mmR (Black Powder)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 32.3"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Ladder Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver, in the front is stamped Œ.W.F.G. STEYR 1886, which stands for Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (Austrian Arms-Manufacturing Company, Steyr), along with the crown over “L.I.” proof mark in the middle, and “M.1886” to the rear. The right side of the barrel and receiver is stamped with the serial number “HH81”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In the late 19th century, Portugal, like many European nations, sought to modernize its military rifles. Although it had once maintained a vast colonial empire, Portugal lacked the infrastructure to produce firearms domestically. Consequently, the country turned to the Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr for assistance. Initially, Portugal adopted the M1885 Guedes rifle, designed by Lieutenant Luís Fausto de Castro Guedes Dias of the Portuguese Army. These rifles were similar to the navy's Modelo 1878 but were chambered for the Guedes' 8mm cartridge. In 1886, the Guedes order was canceled, and a new contract for 40,000 Kropatschek rifles was made. The Portuguese Kropatschek rifle was a bolt-action shoulder arm with a tubular magazine and a magazine cut-off, initially designed for black powder cartridges. The tubular magazine system, developed by Alfred von Kropatschek in the 1870s, was based on a design by Ferdinand Fruwirth.
This system was first used in the French Naval Kropatschek of 1878 and later adapted into a Portuguese version, which incorporated elements from the Mauser M71 bolt. The Portuguese Kropatschek used a cartridge similar to the Guedes rifle, a sharply bottlenecked 8mm black powder round. However, when smokeless powder became available to Portugal in 1896, the country gradually phased out the black powder cartridges. While Portugal's decision to replace the M1885 Guedes single-shot rifle with the more practical Kropatschek repeater was a sensible one, the Kropatschek rifles quickly became obsolete. These rifles were designed for black powder cartridges, while nations such as France and Germany had already adopted smokeless powder rifles. However, it was later discovered that the Kropatschek rifles could operate with smokeless powder, leading to the creation and adoption of the new 8x56mmR (Kropatschek) smokeless powder cartridge.
Both the original 8x60mmR (black powder) and the new 8x56mmR (smokeless powder) cartridges had the same overall length. Steyr, the manufacturer, had already begun converting Austrian M1888 Mannlichers to smokeless powder models by adjusting their rear sights. Portugal also received a conversion package from Steyr, which included several modifications, including a new modified rear sight calibrated for a range of 2,200 meters. The actual conversion work was undertaken in Portugal at the Lisbon Arsenal with Steyr supplying the sights and an Austrian firm the first smokeless ammunition.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
