(A) RARE AUSTRIAN CRESPI BREECH-LOADING FLINTLOCK SPEAR CARBINE.

(A) RARE AUSTRIAN CRESPI BREECH-LOADING FLINTLOCK SPEAR CARBINE. Developed in the late 1760s by Guiseppe Crespi, these breech loading flintlock carbines utilized a hinged breech that tips up to load. Procured in the early 1770s by Austria to arm Dragoons, Carabiniers and Chevauxlegers, these carbines were used in the War of Bavarian Succession (1778-1779) before being phased out due to reports of facial burns stemming from the unsealed breeches. Despite this, around 1793, some were issued to the volunteer guard in Vienna. Importantly, this design was adopted for military use prior to famed the famed British Ferguson. Durs Egg also produced a version of these carbine for trials with the British Dragoons circa 1784/85. This Austrian issue style carbine is set up to be affixed with a massive approximately 30" spearpoint bayonet. A tip guard is mounted just ahead of the trigger guard so it could safely be stored when not in use. It has a bright finished barrel with bayonet lug front sight. The Crespi breech has several touchmarks. Faceted Germanic banana lock with a faceted pan. Standard, nearly full length stock with iron mounts including a large side plate with touchmark. According to the attached collection tag, this example was acquired from Norm Flayderman in 1972. CONDITION: Fair. Metal has a cleaned gray patina with some spotting. Wood is also cleaned with scattered impression. Several repaired splits and filler asround the action. Action is largely intact although is missing a few small pieces including the hinge pin. The tip of the locking arm is also broken off although this does not affect function. An extremely rare surviving example of an important, very early military breech loading carbine.Name Value Barrel Length 33" Caliber/Bore .75 Smoothbore FFL Status Antique Manufacturer Austrian Model Gorla-Crespi Serial Number NSN, Name, Value, Barrel Length, 33", Caliber/Bore, .75 Smoothbore, FFL Status, Antique, Manufacturer, Austrian, Model, Gorla-Crespi, Serial Number, NSN

Estimate:$2,500

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