Beaumont M1873 Colonial Rifle
Geweerfabriek Hembrug · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1873
Also known as: Klin-Geweer M.73, Beaumont Koloniaal Geweer M1873
Overview
The Beaumont M1873 Colonial Rifle is a single-shot, turning-bolt-action service rifle chambered in the 11x52mmR Dutch Beaumont black-powder cartridge. A colonial-service variant of the M1871 Beaumont infantry rifle, it was accepted by the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) as the Klin-Geweer M.73 for use in the Dutch East Indies. Its barrel, breech, sights and bayonet were browned to resist corrosion in the tropical climate, and unlike the European army rifles it retained the original bolt-locking safety latch and was never updated with a repeating magazine.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4415 g (155.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1320 mm (51.97") |
| Barrel Length | 832 mm (32.76") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Internal Hammer |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 405 m/s (1329 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2075 J (1530 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Browned |
Calibers
- 11x52mmR Dutch Beaumont · primary — also known as 11mm Beaumont, 11.3x50mmR Beaumont, 11x52R
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Bolt Locking Latch
- Features: Browned Metal Finish, Quadrant Rear Sight, Bayonet Lug, Cleaning Rod
Variants
- Beaumont M1871 - Infantry Rifle
- Beaumont-Vitali M1871/88 - Magazine Conversion
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) · adopted 1873 · as Klin-Geweer M.73
Conflicts
- Aceh War (1873-1914)
Production
Estimated total produced: 35,000 · Production years: 1873-1881
Approximately 35,000 Beaumont rifles were produced/allocated for colonial service in the Dutch East Indies; part of the broader 138,668 M1871 Beaumont rifles manufactured 1871-1881.
Origin
Country of origin: Netherlands
Designer: Edouard de Beaumont
Discontinued: 1895
Notes
Mechanically identical to the M1871 infantry rifle but finished and equipped for colonial tropical service. Colonial rifles were left unmodernized, retaining the single-shot black-powder action and original sights rather than receiving the Vitali magazine conversion applied to European-stationed Beaumonts.
Background
Browned from muzzle to bayonet against the humidity of the Indies, the colonial Beaumonts were deliberately frozen in time: while Beaumonts back in the Netherlands were cut open and fitted with Italian Vitali box magazines in the 1880s, the KNIL's M.73 rifles soldiered on as single-shot black-powder arms through the long Aceh War.