www.oldguns.de Back Contact: lovell@oldguns.de
RUSSIAN INFANTRY MARKSMAN (SNIPER) CARBINE FLINTLOCK RIFLE 1807, TULA.
This rarely seen weapon was made in 1807 at the Tula arsenal and used during the Napoleonic Wars by the famed Russian light infantry Jaeger units, who gained much respect/prestige fighting Napoleon's armies. The Jaegers were infantry soldiers who specialized in precision shooting of high-value targets at longer than usual ranges. They were also used for reconnaissance tasks.
The gun appears to have had a long working life; indicating its high essential quality. The barrel and lock are in good condition (considering age) and the barrel has a well defined rifled bore. The lock-face and barrel have not been cleaned externally, and the barrel only briefly brushed internally.
The octagonal six-groove rifled barrel bears Russian inspection marks which are stamped on the breech; more can be found on the inside of the lock.
The internal lock mechanism is functional and appears to have the original parts.
Some parts such as the trigger and trigger guard, the frizzen etc, appear to have been replaced a number of years previously and the flintlock configuration has been restored; in some instances these are old repairs made using simple/practical materials.
Although the lock and barrel were made in 1807, the numbers 1884 are carved into the right side forward of the lock. The exact meaning of this (if it is a date) is unclear. A small repair in the wood can be seen above the numbers.
The general profile of the oiled wallnut stock is in accordance with other Russian guns of this age and type.
