Milbank-Amsler M1867
Swiss Federal Arsenals · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1867
Also known as: Infanteriegewehr Modell 1842/59/67, M1842/59/67 Milbank-Amsler, Milbank-Amsler 18mm, Swiss Trapdoor
Overview
The Milbank-Amsler M1867 is a Swiss single-shot breech-loading infantry rifle created by converting the Confederation's percussion Model 1842/59 muzzle-loaders to fire a metallic rimfire cartridge. The system, patented by the American inventor Isaac Milbank and refined for Swiss service by Rudolf Amsler, used a hinged lifting breech block — often called the 'Swiss trapdoor' — operated by a flat paddle to open the breech for loading. Approved in 1867 as a stop-gap to give Swiss infantry a breech-loader, the long 18mm rimfire infantry version served only briefly before the repeating Vetterli rifle superseded it.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1472 mm (57.95") |
| Barrel Length | 1009 mm (39.72") |
| Action Type | Trapdoor |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 4060 J (2995 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 18mm Milbank-Amsler (18×35R) · primary — also known as 18x35R, 18x35R Swiss Rimfire, 18mm Swiss Rimfire
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Round, Manually Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half-Cock Hammer Notch
- Features: Single-Shot Breech-Loading Conversion Of Percussion Muzzle-Loaders, Milbank-Amsler Lifting/Swinging Breech Block ('Swiss Trapdoor'), Socket Bayonet Mount
Production
Production years: 1867-1869
Converted from existing M1842/59 percussion infantry rifle stocks by roughly twenty Swiss cantonal arsenals and private gunmakers; exact totals not firmly recorded.
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Isaac Milbank, Rudolf Amsler
Discontinued: 1869
Notes
Two cartridge families were used across the Milbank-Amsler conversions: the large 18mm rimfire for the converted 1842/59 infantry rifles described here, and the smaller .41 Swiss rimfire (10.4×38mmR) for new-build and Stutzer sharpshooter conversions. Ballistic figures for the 18mm load are approximate. The conversion program was carried out by numerous Swiss cantonal arsenals and private gunmakers.
Background
Nicknamed the 'Swiss trapdoor', the 18mm Milbank-Amsler infantry rifle is a giant of an arm — well over 1.4 metres long — and represents Switzerland's brief leap from muzzle-loader to breech-loader before the country adopted the far more advanced bolt-action repeating Vetterli.