BELGIUM, Liège, circa 1855-1870 - Lot 188

BELGIUM, Liège, circa 1855-1870 Victor COLETTE. Single-action "gravity system" repeating rifle. Octagonal barrel, monogrammed VC near the buttstock and numbered 2135. Stripes. Cal. 10 mm. Slide-type ammunition guide band with sights, attached to the barrel by lugs and terminated by the breech loading lever. Long steel body engraved with rocaille motifs. Safety blade behind the hammer (blocked). Walnut stock, partially checkered and carved with leaves. Sinuous trigger guard, decorated en suite, and plain iron butt plate. Barrel length: 64 cm - Overall length: 103 cm. Rare model in very fair condition. Mechanism of the system needs to be reviewed, as the block does not rise each time the hammer is reset, or remains jammed. Wear, scratches and a few knocks; hammer tip warped; 5 barrel band fastening screws missing; oxidation and corrosion on metal parts, formerly cleaned, a few rust stains; rusty barrel interior; a few stains on the wood of the stock, small crack and small dented parts near the buttplate. The patents for this firing system are due to Jean Nicolas HERMAN, platinum worker at Victor COLETTE, and inventor of various ingenious weapon systems. They were registered in July 1853 [AC7275] and May 1854 [AC7997]. Victor COLETTE, harquebusier in Liège, circa 1850-1870.