Comblain M1870
Liège Gunmakers (Belgian Trade) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1870
Also known as: Fusil Comblain Mle 1870, Belgian Comblain, Comblain No. 2
Overview
The Comblain M1870 is a single-shot, falling-block breech-loading rifle designed by Belgian gunsmith Hubert-Joseph Comblain of Liege. Chambered for the 11mm Belgian black-powder cartridge, its vertically sliding breechblock is operated by a forward-pivoting trigger-guard lever that drops the block, extracts the spent case, and cocks the internal striker in one motion. Adopted by the Belgian Garde Civique in 1870 as one of the nation's first metallic-cartridge service arms, it was also produced in carbine form and exported to Brazil, Chile and other nations.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1200 mm (47.24") |
| Barrel Length | 832 mm (32.76") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker 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 | 1300 m (1422 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, 11mm Albini, 11mm Belgian Infantry
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Trigger Guard Lever, Falling Block Breech, Quadrant Rear Sight, Bayonet Lug
Variants
- Comblain M1870 Carbine - Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Garde Civique · adopted 1870 · as Fusil Comblain Mle 1870
- Brazilian Army · adopted 1874 · as Comblain
- Chilean Army · as Comblain
Conflicts
- War of the Pacific (1879-1884)
Production
Production years: 1870-1890
Roughly 4,000-5,000 produced for the Belgian Garde Civique; larger numbers manufactured for export to Brazil, Chile and other nations
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Hubert-Joseph Comblain
Discontinued: 1890
Notes
Receivers and fittings of early Belgian examples were sometimes made of bronze alloy. Manufactured by several Liege gunmakers including Auguste Francotte, Ed Malherbe, Beuret Freres, G Mordant and D. Ancion & Fils. Later refined into the Comblain M1882.
Background
Hubert-Joseph Comblain, born into a Liege family of gunsmiths in 1813, developed his dropping-block action in the late 1860s. The robust 'Comblain' breech was praised as simpler and stronger than contemporary trapdoor systems such as the American Springfield.