* ST. ETIENNE ARSENAL, FRANCE A SCARCE 17mm (TABATIERE) BREECH-LOADING SERVICE-RIFLE, MODEL '1854 TABATIERE', serial no. 23342,

ST. ETIENNE ARSENAL, FRANCE


A SCARCE 17mm (TABATIERE) BREECH-LOADING SERVICE-RIFLE, MODEL '1854 TABATIERE', serial no. 23342,

circa 1856 and being a direct conversion of a Charleville rifled musket to breech-loading, with 39in. barrel, boat-shaped blade fore-sight, folding 'L' shaped rear-sight, swing-open brass breech-block and receiver with guide ramp running into the wrist, plain military style lock of flint form signed 'ST. ETIENNE MANUF. ROYALE', plain side-hammer, walnut three-quarter stock with depression in butt for cheek, iron furniture and drum-headed iron under-barrel ramrod, 55 1/2in. overall, weight approximately 9 3/4lbs.



Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament