Product Description
CIVIL WAR Era Antique AUSTRIAN Lorenz M1854 FLINTLOCK CONVERSION Musket
With PERCUSSION TO FLINTLOCK Conversion
Here we present an antique Lorenz Model 1854 Rifle Musket, made circa 1857 in Austria. This example started out life as a percussion rifle and was converted to the flintlock firing system. It is Liege proofed and the barrel is marked “Belgium”. The Lorenz rifle was designed by Austrian lieutenant Joseph Lorenz. It was first approved for manufacture in 1854 and was Austria’s first all-new infantry firearm in decades. The demand for the rifles was much greater than what the Austrian state arsenals could produce, so much of the production was done by private manufacturers. Many of these manufacturers did not have the skill and precision required to make what was then a very modern and sophisticated rifle design, and as a result, the quality of Lorenz rifles varied quite a bit. The bore diameters also varied quite a bit due to insufficient control of allowable tolerances. This often left too much of a gap between the bullet and the barrel, resulting in poor performance.
The Lorenz rifle was a percussion-type muzzleloader, and as such was similar in design to the British Pattern 1853 Enfield and the American Springfield Model 1861 rifle-muskets. It had a 37.5 inch barrel which was held into place by three barrel bands. The barrel was .54 caliber, which was slightly smaller than the .577 used by the Enfield and the .58 standardized in later Springfields. It was the third most widely used rifle during the American Civil War. The Union recorded purchases of 226,924 and the Confederacy bought as many as 100,000. Confederate-bought Lorenz rifles saw heavy use in the Army of Tennessee in 1863-64.
The overall condition is good. Strong action. The bore is in good shape for its age. This example has maintained a solid stock with less than average wear. Markings are legible. “857” dated lock. The barrel was rotated and re-breeched during its conversion.
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 37-1/4 inches.
Caliber: .58 Flintlock
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$1800
#233917