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SCARCE GUEDES 1886 SINGLE SHOT PORTUGUESE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
SCARCE GUEDES 1886 SINGLE SHOT PORTUGUESE
CONTRACT RIFLE. Cal. 8 x 60R. S# 7498. Bbl. 32 1/8". All visible numbers match. Ladder rear sight graduated to 1400m. Inverted "V" front sight. Receiver has circular marking on left side "OE.W.G." "M. 1885 Steyr 1886". Receiver marked on right side w/ encircled Portuguese "crown" crest. Single shot rifle developed by Lt. Castro Guedes & adopted by Portugal. Rifles were ordered from O.W.G./Steyr w/ the then new 8mm diameter bore. There was a degree of dissatisfaction w/ the breech block system & Portugal did not accept delivery of the majority of these rifles. They were retained at O.W.G. & later sold to Transvaal and Orange Free State & used in the Boer Wars. Consignor information stated that this rifle was found in a Boer farmhouse after the war. Falling block type action w/ sliding safety behind trigger. 2 Band design. Upper band has bayonet lug & sling swivel. Cleaning rod is present. Lower swivel is mounted on front of trigger guard. Matching walnut stock set. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 18 1/8" fullered blade bayonet marked on right ricasso w/ "W.G.". Blade marked on top near cross guard in script "Steyr 1886." Has smooth walnut grips. Blade has approx. 1/2" missing from tip. Bright metal has light wear & patina. Blade has been unsharpened. Smooth grips show light wear & scattered scratches. CONDITION: stock wood has attractive appearance w/ a professional cleaning & light refinish w/ added lacquer as a preservative. This renders the buttstock marking illegible. Circular paper w/ No. 42 under lacquer finish. Metal retains very lg. degree of original finish w/ crisp markings. Has light wear, scattered handling marks, good shiny bore w/ strong rifling. (01-19353/RW). ANTIQUE. $1,500-2,000.