M1871 Belgian Comblain Carbine
Liège Gunmakers (Belgian Trade) · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1871
Also known as: Mousqueton de Cavalerie Système Comblain Modèle 1871, Comblain Cavalry Carbine M1871, Belgian Comblain Carbine
Overview
The M1871 Belgian Comblain Carbine is a single-shot, falling-block breech-loading cavalry carbine designed by the Liège gunsmith Hubert-Joseph Comblain. Adopted by the regular Belgian Army's cavalry in 1871 as a shortened, lighter development of the M1870 Garde Civique Comblain, it retains the vertically sliding breechblock operated by a forward-pivoting trigger-guard lever that drops the block, extracts the spent case, and cocks the action in a single stroke. Chambered for the 11mm Belgian black-powder cartridge, it uses a steel action with a shrouded hammer that distinguishes it from the bronze-receiver M1870.
Specifications
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| 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 11.4x42R Comblain Carbine, 11x50R, 11.4x50R, 11mm Belgian Comblain
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Trigger Guard Lever, Falling Block Breech, Shrouded Hammer, Carbine Length Barrel, Saddle Ring
Variants
- Comblain M1871/83 Carbine - Modernized
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Army (Cavalry) · adopted 1871 · as Mousqueton de Cavalerie Système Comblain Modèle 1871
Production
Production years: 1871-1890
Produced by Liège gunmakers for the Belgian Army cavalry; exact carbine production quantities are not documented in accessible sources.
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: Hubert-Joseph Comblain
Discontinued: 1890
Notes
The M1871 is described as a shortened M1870 short rifle adopted for the regular Army's cavalry. It was later refurbished as the M1871/83 with an extended fore-end reaching the muzzle and rear sights re-graduated to about 1,070 m. Exact carbine dimensions, weight and muzzle velocity are not well documented in accessible English-language sources.
Background
Where the militia M1870 Comblain often used a bronze receiver, the regular cavalry's Modèle 1871 carbine switched to an all-steel action with a shrouded hammer, giving mounted troopers a compact, robust dropping-block breechloader that was praised as simpler and stronger than the trapdoor systems of the day.