Home Login Sign Up My Account Browse Links Logout How to Consign   Ward's Bid Sheet   Rules

Winning Bid US $2730 First bid $750 Quantity 1 # of bids 4 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-05-07 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

RARE!! Austria, OHLIGS Und Sohn, Vienna, Model: 1854/67 Lorenz-Wanzl, Boxer Rebellion captured, Cal: 13.9mm RF, MFG: 1858 dated lock, 1869 dated Wanzl conversion, S/N: None, Breechloader single shot rifle, 34 7/8'' barrel.

HISTORY: this rifle started life as a Model 1854 Lorenz Percussion muzzleloader. This was the main infantry rifle used by the Austrians when they were defeated by the Prussians during the Austro-Prussian war of 1866. The Austrians were overwhelmed by the Prussians Dreyse Need fire breech loaders. After this Austria would start to look for a breech loading rifle. A Viennese gunsmith Franz Wenzel, would design a breech loading conversion of the Lorenze rifle that was much like Allens conversion of the Springfield rifles into trapdoors. The design proved strong & the Austrian army like the cheaper idea of converting their old rifles & not making new ones. They would adopt the Wanzl conversion in 1867 as a stop gap until they could develop a more modern breech loader. Later on in 1867, Austria would adopt the M1867 Werndl Holub rifle as the new infantry rifle. The Wanzel rifle would be replaced in service as Werndl rifles were made until they were sold off as surplus in the 1880s & 90s. Many Wanzel rifles were sold to China around this time, like this rifle here. This rifle was captured during the Boxer rebellion (1898-1901) by a member of the Australian Victoria Naval Contingent, Roger bocking Hamerton, service number 126, his rank was stoker. He would set off to China abord the SS salamis on July 30th 1900.

CONDITION: The straight wrist cheeked walnut stock is very good with various nicks, dings, scuffs, & scratches from use/age. The right cheek of the stock is marked ''R.HAMERTON 126'', ''VNC'', ''CHINA'', ''1900''. The metal has completely toned to an even brown patina with light roughness. the trigger guard & sling swivels have rust pitting. The breech tang is stamped ''OHLIGS UND SOHN'' this is in Vienna where it was converted with the Wanzel system. Breech tang also marked with a small ''N'' proof. The top rear flat of the barrel marked ''W'' over ''69'', a worn circle proof, tow more worn proof, & a ''T'' in front of the rear sight. The lock plate is marked with a Austrian proof, & the last three digits of the MFG date, this one is marked ''858''. The rear barrel band is marked ''B'' & with two proofs. The middle barrel band is marked ''26'', & the front barrel band is marked ''44''. The inside of the breech block is marked ''62''. The bore is Poor to fair. Has proud riling but has lots of roughness throughout the bore, no deep pitting though. The barrel holds a small blade front sight with a flip up ladder V-notch rear sight. Rifle has the updated M1862 style sling swivels. Rifle has the old ramrod as the cleaning rod. rifle also comes with a M1854 Lorenze socket bayonet. Antique, No FFL Req - Value: 1500 to 3000

(Move around the image by clicking and dragging. Zoom with your scroll wheel)

Payment Details See Payment Instructions and item description, or contact seller for more information.

Payment Instructions See item description or contact seller for more information.

Price

RARE!! Austria, OHLIGS Und Sohn, Vienna, Model: 1854/67 Lorenz-W... Item # 4424 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $2730

How to Pay If you would like to expedite your payment, please send us an email or give us a call informing us that you would like your invoice emailed to you. If we do not hear from you one of two things will happen: A.) If you signed up and asked us to bill your credit card & ship all items ASAP then that is what we will do. No further notice will be sent. B.) If you signed up and wanted to send us a check, then your invoice will be mailed to you after we figure the shipping. (Please note: If you want to speed this up just send us an email after the auction)

Return to Home Page