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Lot 127
A Very Rare 8MM Portuguese Contract Castro Guedes System Steyr 1885 Model Breech-Loading Military RifleNo. 1175, Dated 1886
24 November 2010, 11:00 GMT
London, KnightsbridgeSold for £1,080 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistA Very Rare 8MM Portuguese Contract Castro Guedes System Steyr 1885 Model Breech-Loading Military Rifle
No. 1175, Dated 1886
No. 1175, Dated 1886
With blued sighted barrel retained by two barrel bands, the forward one incorporating a bayonet lug on the right, calibrated folding adjustable back-sight on an octagonal breech, characteristic blued action dated and with manufacturer's and model details within circles on the left side, the right side with crowned monogram of King D. Luis I in a circle, curved lever, figured serial numbered butt and fore-stock (some bruising), the former with circular stamp en suite with the manufacturer's action mark, steel butt-plate, sling loops, original steel ramrod, matching numbers, and much original finish
82.5 cm. barrel
82.5 cm. barrel
Footnotes
This rare survival is one of 40,000 that were ordered by the Portuguese War Ministry on 8 October 1885 at a cost of 68 Francs each. Only 8,000 are thought to have been completed due to doubts over the 'complete stability and safety of the breech block and lever during firing' resulting in the rejection of the rifle on 8 May 1886. See Jaime A. Regalado, 'The Castro Guedes Rifle System', Bulletin of the Portuguese Academy of Antique Arms, Vol. II, No. 1 (May 2001), pp. 45-68








