Armory Sponsor
Posted: 10/1/2004 4:24:21 PM EDT
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In 1867 the Wanzl conversion of the muzzle loaders was introduced in Caliber .55 R.F. Cocking the hammer withdrew a bolt attached to the lower hammer face out of a recess in the breechlock. The breechlock was then lifted on a forward hinge for loading. The first newly developed rifle as such was the WERNDL, developed by Joseph Werndl, the Director General of Steyr Armory, Austria. This was a turning block design. Adopted in 1873, it was modified and produced in quantity in the following year. In 1886 the first Mannlicher was adopted, caliber 11mm. I am unaware of its present value to collectors. rk |
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