SOLD - Rare Russian Berdan II - 1885 mfg

Description

10/3/23 - This is a Rare Russian Berdan II rifle chambered in the 10.75mm black powder cartridge. The original Berdan I was designed by an American Colonel, Hiram Berdan, but was later fine-tuned by Russian designer and Colonel Alexander P. Gorlov into the Berdan II. This rifle began production and was then issued to the Imperial Russian Army in 1870 under the directive of the Tzar. This was the rifle prior to the famous M1891 Mosin Nagant. This example is in great shape for its age and retains a majority of its original bluing. The butt plate has a large amount of patina compared to the rest of the rifle. The top of the barrel is marked "1885r Sestroryetsk (in Cyrillic) No 13507." The rifle has a serial number that matches the barrel and butt plate. There is another added number on the butt plate "21464." The bolt and striker assembly matches itself, stamped "1498." The receiver is stamped with the Imperial Eagle and has imperial cartouches on the left and right sides of the stock. The stock looks to have been lightly sanded and there is a small gash near the rear sling swivel, and a chip missing towards the front on the left side. The bore is very good retaining its sharp rifling over the years and is bright, we rate 8.5/10. The rifle comes with a cleaning rod that measures 29" which is likely an M1891 Mosin Nagant cleaning rod.