When 3 heads are better than 1!

Belgian, Italian, and English collaboration. A M1867 Belgian Albini-Braendlin rifle.

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The term "sweet" doesn't even come close to describing this rifle. It all matches except the clearing rod and bayonet, but it has both! It has a pristine bore and shoots fantastically. I loaded up some 'soft" loads (18 gn IMR SR4759) using 45/70 brass and a .446" PP lead bullet (43 Mauser) , chrony'd at 1050 fps but shot to point of aim @ 50 yds. The base of 45/70 is slightly small (around .500" for 45/70, my chamber cast was .522") but extracted nicely after firing. I have read so many differing accounts of Albini chambers that shooting it was somewhat 'dicey". I have some 50/90 sharps brass which I will attempt to get a better case fit when time allows.

Any more pics of the chamber?

What a beautiful example of an early concept breech loading cartridge action. The appearance of quality assembly and attention to fit. Remember this is 1867, the beginning of standardized parts in some circles. The hammer alone is a marvel. Thinking outside the normal to achieve a durable quality action. Some ideas lasted, some did not. Snyder and Enfield influence coupled with some wild Italian design maybe. Would have liked to be in the room when they were pouring over the drawing boards for this one.