Another "Whatisit" military muzzleloading rifle

[yoopercollector]

Could it be OLBERNHAU?

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Could it be OLBERNHAU?

BRILLIANT!

Olbernhau is in Saxony. And Saxony is one of the states that used back-locks on percussion rifles. The only type I have illustrated is the "Schützengewehr Modell 1850".
JM: see if any of this matches your example!
The bore was 14.63mm (0.576") with 4 deep grooves. Twist 1 in 65". So minié bullets for the 3-band P1853 Enfield should go well.
And it was a "Dorngewehr" i.e. pillar-breech rifle. Like my "Pickelgewehr".

- Welcome to the club JM!

Flip-up sight.
The pillar was probably removed in the 1850s.
BUT it was a 3-band rifle. And I have not found a mention of a shorter, 2-band model. So it looks like it must be a cut-down version. Since the lock is openly marked as "FABRIK OLBERNHAU" it could be an "official" alteration. ...er no, it's more interesting...

Looking at the book as I write this...

GOT IT...

"On 15 March 1850 the Saxon War Ministry in Dresden place orders for rifles with OLBERNHAU and Chemnitz..."

...it gets better...

"In 1861 it was reported that United States purchasers had acquired the entire stock of Saxony's rifles via the French trading house of Ladé & Co. in Paris. This came about as a result of the efforts at standardization of the weapons of the German Confederation."

YOU HAVE FOUND A US-GOVERNMENT IMPORTED CIVIL WAR RIFLE. GET IT NOW

---------- Post added at 06:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 PM ----------

"Saw this the other day and might bring it home"


Might? MIGHT?
You must be joking.
I hereby request and require that you buy it instanter and get it banging again.