Albini-Braendlin M1867
Manufacture d'Armes de l'Etat (Belgium) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1867
Also known as: Albini rifle, Fusil Albini-Braendlin Mle 1867, Belgian Albini
Overview
The Albini-Braendlin M1867 was the standard breech-loading service rifle of the Belgian Army, adopted in 1867. It used a front-hinged, forward-lifting breechblock (the Albini patent, refined by London gunmaker Francis Braendlin) operated in conjunction with an external side-lock hammer: the hammer's striker passed through the receiver to drive the firing pin while simultaneously locking the block at the moment of ignition. Chambered for the 11mm Albini black-powder centerfire cartridge, many were produced as conversions of earlier Belgian percussion muskets.
Specifications
| Overall Length | 1360 mm (53.54") |
| Barrel Length | 876 mm (34.49") |
| Action Type | Hinged Breechblock |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 430 m/s (1411 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2218 J (1636 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1400 m (1531 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 11x42mmR Albini · primary — also known as 11mm Albini, 11mm Belgian, 11x42R
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Single Shot, Metallic Cartridge, Front Hinged Breechblock, External Hammer, Bayonet Lug, Ladder Rear Sight
Variants
- Albini-Braendlin M1867 Carbine — Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Army · adopted 1867 · as Fusil d'Infanterie Mle 1867
Conflicts
- Franco-Prussian War (Belgian neutrality mobilization) (1870-1871)
Production
Production years: 1867-1880
Large numbers were conversions of existing Belgian percussion muskets to the Albini breech-loading pattern
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Augusto Albini
Discontinued: 1880
Notes
The action is closely related to the British Snider but uses a forward-tilting rather than side-hinged block. Numerous examples were arsenal conversions of muzzle-loading muskets; later Belgian service moved to the Comblain and then the Mauser.
Background
Designed by an Italian naval officer, Augusto Albini, and perfected by a London gunmaker, the rifle ironically saw far more service arming neutral Belgium than the Italian navy it was originally pitched to.