Chilean Comblain
Liège Gunmakers (Belgian Trade) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1874
Also known as: Fusil Comblain, Comblain II, Chilean Comblain Model 1874
Overview
The Chilean Comblain is a single-shot, falling-block breech-loading rifle built on the Belgian Comblain system designed by Hubert-Joseph Comblain of Liège. Chambered for the 11mm Belgian (11x50R) black-powder cartridge, its vertically sliding breechblock is worked by a forward-pivoting trigger-guard lever that drops the block, extracts the spent case and cocks the exposed hammer. Ordered by Chile from Liège gunmakers Auguste Francotte and G. Mordant and adopted in 1874, the Chilean pattern is distinguished from Belgian and Brazilian examples by its completely steel construction, with steel barrel bands, nosecap and buttplate in place of bronze fittings. It was the principal Chilean infantry rifle of the War of the Pacific.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1200 mm (47.24") |
| Barrel Length | 832 mm (32.76") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 430 m/s (1411 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2218 J (1636 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 10 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 11mm Belgian · primary — also known as 11x50R, 11.4x50R, 11x50R Comblain, 11.5x50R Chilean Comblain
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Trigger Guard Lever, Falling Block Breech, Exposed Hammer, Ramp And Leaf Rear Sight, All Steel Furniture, Bayonet Lug
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Chilean Army · adopted 1874 · as Fusil Comblain
- Chilean Navy · as Fusil Comblain
Conflicts
- War of the Pacific (1879-1884)
- Chilean Civil War of 1891 (1891)
Production
Estimated total produced: 70,000 · Production years: 1871-1888
Approximately 70,000 rifles delivered to Chile across roughly six contract orders; manufactured in Liège, Belgium by Auguste Francotte and G. Mordant
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Hubert-Joseph Comblain
Discontinued: 1895
Notes
Chile never assigned an official model number; the rifles were ordered as the 'Comblain II'. Roughly 70,000 were delivered across about six contract orders between the early 1870s and the 1880s. The chamber was cut loosely enough to accept several contemporary 11mm black-powder loads, including the Chilean Gras cartridge.
Background
Recovered Chilean Comblains still hang aboard the preserved gunboat Esmeralda in Chile, tangible relics of the 1879 War of the Pacific in which the all-steel rifle armed Chile's victorious infantry against Peru and Bolivia.