This Civil War era military longarm, called the Austrian Model 1854 “Lorenz” Rifle-Musket, was a favorite European longarm of both the North and the South. During the war, some 250,000 such arms were imported to the Union while 100,000 muskets went to the Confederacy. Developed by the Austrian army to replace their older infantry muskets, the accepted design in 1854 utilized an advanced percussion ignition system summited by Josef Lorenz, a Viennese gunsmith.

This .60 caliber, single-shot, single trigger, nine-pound muzzleloader measures 52½” long overall. It is fitted with a 37½” rifled barrel with an excellent bore; bright and has four lands and grooves with a slight right hand twist. Barrel is octagonal for 4½” at breech and blends to round. Bolster area is good with very light pitting. Barrel’s breech bears the private contractor maker’s name “FERD FRUWIRTH” in a circular stamping just forward of the tang’s scribe mark. Other barrel markings are partially obscured numbers and letters on the right barrel facet adjacent to the stock.

No original colors on any gun metal. Likely bright at one time, all metal now exhibits a mottled gray / dark plum coloration overall. Barrel has light scattered rust pitting and areas of oxidation. Three spring bands secure the barrel to the beech wood stock. Upper band having a wide single strap, slotted on the top and equipped with a ramrod pipe at the bottom. Middle band has the sling swivel and is close together to the upper band. Stock has no cheek rest or markings and appears to never have been refinished. Does show two hand carved initials “L x” on bottom of stock after triggerguard. All bands exhibit assembly number “3” on their left side. Upper band shows “VIII” stamped above the slot. Iron sling swivels mounted at the triggerguard and on the middle band. Iron butt plate marked with “20.” Lockplate usually was soft metal and has been cleaned; no markings visible at all. Iron side plate also bears assembly number “3.” Rear sight is a larger, folding leaf sight with two windows graduated to 900 paces. Front sight has the long oval base mounted diagonally on barrel to match the angled slot on the proper bayo socket. Mechanics strong. All screws original in good condition with none buggered. The heavy, cupped ramrod head has the drilled torque hole but no threaded tip.

The Austrian M1854 rifle was the second most imported longarm to America from 1861 to 1865. A fine imported accurate longarm.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!