Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Lot 127

A Very Rare 8MM Portuguese Contract Castro Guedes System Steyr 1885 Model Breech-Loading Military Rifle
No. 1175, Dated 1886

24 November 2010, 11:00 GMT
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £1,080 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Arms and Armour specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

A Very Rare 8MM Portuguese Contract Castro Guedes System Steyr 1885 Model Breech-Loading Military Rifle
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

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

Additional information

Bid now on these items

A Cased Pair Of Scottish 50-Bore Percussion Duelling Or Target Pistols By Alex.r Martin, Glasgow, Mid-19th Century

The medals and associate ephemera and uniforms of Arthur Watts, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons

A Pair Of Highland All-Metal Percussion Belt Pistols Signed Paton & Walsh Perth, Mid 19th century

A Silver-Mounted Left-Hand Dagger, probably German, Italian or English Late 16th Century Or Later

FOUR REPRODUCTION CARVED POWDER HORNS/FLASKS.late 20th century.

A COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE AND REPRODUCTION POWDER FLASKS AND RELATED SPORTING ITEMS.

THREE VICTORIAN ARMS AND ARMOUR DECORATIVE ITEMS.