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Military Rifles in the Age of Transition
(Non-U.S.) Black Powder, Metallic Cartidge, Military Rifles
1865 to 1890
(A Research, Photo-Identification and Information Website since 1997)
M1870 Civil Guard Comblain Short Rifle
(Carabine Comblain de la Garde Civique Modèle 1870)
&
M1882 Civil Guard Comblain Infantry Rifle
(Fusil d’Infanterie Comblain de la Garde Civique, Modèle 1882)
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M1870 Civil Guard Comblain Short Rifle(Carabine Comblain de la Garde Civique Modèle 1870)
M1882 Civil Guard Comblain Infantry Rifle (Fusil d’Infanterie Comblain de la Garde Civique, Modèle 1882) - Photo Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
With the Prussians defeating both the Danish Duchies and Austria, King Leopold II of Belgum decided that it was time to modernize the rifles of the Belgium infantry. This lead to the development and adoption of the Albini-Braendlin and the Terssen rifles, both a conversation of the old percussion muzzleloading rifles. However this was always meant to be a stop gap and Belgium needed a more modern weapon for its army. In 1867, a gunsmith named Hubert-Joseph Comblain presented his breech loading rifle to the Belgium army, the Belgium Comblain.
Hubert-Joseph Comblain of Liège, Belgium. Photo Credit: https://www.littlegun.be/
DEVELOPMENT
Hubert-Jospeh Comblain started out designing the Reilly-Comblain rifle, which was a breechloading conversion of a traditional muzzle loading rifle. He filed for a patent in London in 1867 (No. 2778). Comblain signed an agreement with E.M. Reilly & Co. which helped him submit the Reilly Comblain for trials with the British War Office. The War Office trials were already underway and the Reilly Comblain was not selected (Reference).
Reilly Comblain Rifle. Photo Credit: https://www.collectorsfirearms.com/
Comblain then applied for a new patent in Liege for a new falling block design, called the Comblain II. The application for the patent was made in the names of H. Comblain and L. Lambin & Co in Liege in 1968 and England in 1869 (No. 929). The new patent would receive revisions but would serve as the foundation for the M1870 & M1882 Comblain rifles.
Photo Credit: Historia Da Arma De Fogo Portatil
GENERALLY
This rugged dropping‑block design is the creation of Hubert‑Joseph Comblain of Liège, Belgium. It is seen with both a bronze and steel receiver, and may also be properly called a sliding‑block action.
Comblain short rifles (Modèle 1870) and rifles (Modèle 1882) were only actively utilized by the home guard, the Garde Civique. (The Garde Civique were small para‑military units raised in some of the larger cities of Belgium in the 19th century. One could call them "city‑militia". The unit‑markings on their weapons which refer to their home town are distinctive individual letters.) The only Comblains that were carried by the military (Belgian Army) were the different variations of 980 mm (39 inch) long carbines (Mousqueton Comblain Modèle 1871), the Models 1871, 1871/1883, 1871/1883 modifié and 1871/83/88). All of these weapons, including the series of musketoons were replaced with the introduction of the Belgian Mauser M1889, first entering service in 1891.
M1870 Civil Guard Comblain Short Rifle (Carabine Comblain de la Garde Civique Modèle 1870)
M1882 Civil Guard Comblain Infantry Rifle (Fusil d’Infanterie Comblain de la Garde Civique, Modèle 1882)
Photo Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
These two models of Comblain, the M1870 and M1882, are substantially different in almost every respect, and thus are quite easy to differentiate. Instantly dispositive, the M1870’s receiver, all action parts, barrel bands, nosecap and buttplate are all produced in bronze. Its only iron or steel parts are its barrel, sights, hammer, sling swivel and screws. The rear sight is graduated from 200 to 1,000 m (220 to 1,100 yds), the lower swivel is fixed to the lower front of the receiver via a short tang and it is fitted with not only a substantial bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel, but a short (5/8”, 16 mm) support lug and tenon on the left side of the barrel at the muzzle. It has a small transverse bolt through the stock ahead of the lower sling swivel which mounts into brass escutcheons. To accommodate the sabre bayonet lug, the brass nosecap is 5 3/8” (137 mm) back from the muzzle.
The M1882 Comblain has no bronze parts whatsoever. Its receiver is redesigned and is 4 inches (102 mm) long not including tangs, compared with the M1870’s 3 ¼” (82 mm) length, while only being 2 1/8” (53 mm) high, which is about ¼” (approximately 6 mm) shorter than the earlier version. The rear sight is graduated from 100 to 1,200 m (110 to 1,270 yds). Like the M1870, the M1882 has two barrel bands and a nosecap, but the middle band of the M1882 rather than the upper band of the M1870 carries the upper sling swivel. The lower swivel is mounted near the bottom of the buttstock rather than ahead of the trigger guard. The upper barrel band is fitted with an integral bayonet lug, that band being virtually identical to the upper band utilized on the British Martini-Henry series of rifles. Since the bayonet mounts to a lug located on the upper band, the nosecap of the M1882 is now mounted only 2 ½” (64 mm) back from the muzzle. The design of the hammer of these two Comblains is also noticeably different, that of the M1870 having a decidedly forward tilt and sharp upper edge, that of the M1882 being higher, and rounded well back, providing for a far more comfortable thumb grip. Additionally, the M1882 hammer is now fitted with a half-cock safety notch allowing the hammer to be cocked and uncocked as necessary. The upper tang of the M1882 is fitted for only one screw while that of the M1870 is longer and fitted for two screws, and the operating lever is simplified.
The Belgian Comblain has a longer, more elegant receiver than the Brazilian or Chilean versions, with the lower tang made as an integral part of the receiver casting. It also has an exposed hammer. The lower tangs of the Brazilian and Chilean models are separate pieces fitting into a mating slot in the back of the receiver and held in place by a specific transverse screw at the receiver's lower back. Also, the rear sling swivel of the Brazilian and Chilean models, unlike the Belgian model, is attached to a separate plate which itself is attached to the lower front of the receiver. The Brazilian model has a smaller hammer, which is both protected and totally concealed by a small quarter circle shroud. Chamber casting could also shed light on a specific specimen (?) as the Belgian and Brazilian rifles were chambered for different cartridges; the Belgian chambering the Albini cartridge and the Brazilian chambering a cartridge possibly unique to Brazil, although the Chilean chambering (like the Greek and Peruvian chamberings) is uncertain.
Brazilian Comblain with the hammer completely concealed.
Chilean Comblain
OPERATING MECHANISM
A unique action, the Comblain can hardly be mistaken for anything else. The relatively massive receiver houses a substantial breech block which is pivoted back and downward below the receiver by the combination trigger guard/operating lever which pivots forward of the trigger. The trigger itself is located in a semi‑cylindrical steel housing also containing the mainspring and sear assembly. Operation of the rifle is likewise unique. Pushing the trigger guard downward and forward (most easily accomplished by pushing through with the thumb of the trigger hand) slightly backs and lowers the breech block/hammer/trigger/spring assembly, which then rotates radially down and away from the chamber while both cocking the hammer and extracting the spent cartridge case. The fresh cartridge is manually inserted into the chamber, the operating lever raised which moves the breech block into the closed position and the rifle is ready to fire.
Photo Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
MARKINGS
M1870 Comblain: Like all Comblains, the right side of the receiver is marked “COMBLAIN” above “BREVETE” (French for “Patent”) above a production serial number, below which may also appear letters or stamps. Most Comblains are also serial numbered by the adopting country, and the M1870 is no different, having its serial number on the right of the receiver and repeated on the bayonet tenon mounted on the right side of the barrel. The left side of the receiver is stamped with a crown over “AP,” the left knoxform flat with the characteristic Belgian proof markings “ELG*” in an oval, year of manufacture on the upper left receiver flat, “GB” in oval on the knoxform top, denoting Belgian government ownership. The tang of the buttplate is also serial numbered and the manufacturer’s cartouche is stamped into the left side of the buttstock. The left side of the receiver is also marked with a small crown over “L” in a circle.
M1882 Comblain: The right side of the receiver is marked as the M1870 except that the serial number is located on the left side of the receiver and may or may not appear on the left edge of the barrel ahead of the receiver. Standard Belgian proof marks appear on the knoxform as well as on each side of the top of the breech block.
Photo Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
SPECIFICATIONS, STATISTICS & DATA
M1870 Civil Guard Comblain Short Rifle (Carabine Comblain de la Garde Civique Modèle 1870)
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Overall Length: 1,200 mm (47.5 in)
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Weight, empty: ____ Kg (___ lbs)
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Barrel Length: 832mm (32.75 in)
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Rifling: 4-groove; RH, concentric
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Sight: Quadrant, graduated from 200 (220 yds) to 1,000 m (1,100 yds)
M1882 Civil Guard Comblain Infantry Rifle (Fusil d’Infanterie Comblain de la Garde Civique, Modèle 1882)
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Overall Length: 1,265 mm (94.75 in)
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Weight, empty: ___ kg (___ lbs)
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Barrel Length: 880 mm (34.6 in)
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Rifling: 4-groove; RH, concentric
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Sight: Quadrant, graduated from 100m (110 yds) to 1,300 m (1,425 yds)
SHORT RIFLES, CARBINES & SPECIAL VERSIONS:
Photos in this section graciously provided by Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
Model 1871 Cavalry Carbine (Mousqueton de Cavalerie, Système Comblain, Modèle 1871)
Adopted for the regular Army’s cavalry, this model is a shortened M1870 Garde Civique short rifle. The short forend is retained by a nosecap and a transverse bolt. Sling Swivels are mounted beneath the nosecap and the butt. The action is made of steel along with all of the fittings and has a shrouded hammer.
Photos Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
Model 1871/83 Carbine, (Mousqueton de Cavalerie, Système Comblain, Modèle 1871/83)
From 1883 onward, many M1871s were altered for the engineers and supply corps to the Mle 1882 Garde Civique rifle configuration. This is a slight modification of the M1871, with altered hammer (more grip), altered back sight to allow firing at greater distances, and forend extended to the muzzle. As these were stocked to the muzzle, new screw-retained barrel bands and a new nosecap was fitted to support the new forestock. A sling bar was mounted to the under-edge of the stock immediately behind the breech lever, and a cleaning rod was conventionally installed beneath the barrel. The new rear sight was graduated to 1,070m (1,170 yds)
Photos Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
M1871/83 Modified Cavalry Carbine (Mousqueton de Cavalerie, Système Comblain, Modèle 1871/83 modifié)
Wood was shortened again with a new nosecap (now a simple steel ring to hold the barrel against the wood as the Terssen one) and a bayonet attachment was added to allow mounting the M1867 Albini socket bayonet.
Photos Credit Arthur Van Roosem Koninklijk Legermuseum in Brussels (klm-mra.be/nl)
M1871/83/88 Cavalry Carbine (Mousqueton de Cavalerie, Système Comblain, Modèle 1871/83/88 modifié)
Same as the foregoing, but with a new sabre bayonet attachment lug to mount a sword bayonet. Nosecap like the Model 71, hammer and sights like the model 71/83.
Photo Credit: www.ALB1914.be
BAYONETS
M1870 Yatagan Sabre Bayonet
The M1870 Bayonet is very similar to that of a French Chassepot Yagatan bayonet, however it was originally made for the Terssen Rifle. There is conflicting sources on whether the M1870 Comblain used the same bayonet or if it had a bayonet that was very similar. (If you have more information on this please do share!)
Photo Credit: www.ima.com
M1882 Sword Bayonet
Photo Credit: https://bayonets.pl/
CARTRIDGE
The original military M1870 Comblain Rifle used the same cartridge as used in the Albini-Braendlin and Terssen rifles. This cartridge used a rolled brass foil case and existed in at least 8 variations. All but the last had minor structural changes or different bullets but used a straight tapered cased. At various times these cartridges have been known as the: 11mm Belgian Infantry, 11mm Terssen, 11mm Comblain M71, 11mm Albini M67. (Francis Latoir ‘The 11mm Belgian Infantry Cartridge’ (The Cartridge Collector 237-2:9/84))
DIMENSIONS: M1867 11.4x51R, 11x50R
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Bullet diameter: 11.32mm
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Neck diameter: .11.98mm
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Base diameter: 14.73mm
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Rim diameter: 17.22mm
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Case length: 53mm
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Total length: 63mm
DIMENSIONS: M1880 11.4x51R or 11x50R
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Bullet diameter: 11.35mm
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Neck diameter: 11.68mm
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Base diameter: 14.6mm
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Rim diameter: 17.09mm
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Case length: 53mm
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Total length: 65mm
DIMENSIONS: M1867 Carbine, 11.4x42R or 11X42R
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Bullet diameter: 11.25mm
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Neck diameter:
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Base diameter:
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Rim diameter:
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Case length: 42mm
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Total length: 57mm
Photo Credit: https://militarycartridges.com/
For more detailed information on the Comblain and its cartridge history, check out this article by Historian Brad Dixon, a New Zealand Cartridge Collector: Comblain Drawn Case Cartridges.
MANUFACTURING DATA
Production total is unknown. Made by the ‘Petit Syndicat,’ Liège (Ancion & Co., Dresse-Laloux & Co., Auguste Francotte, and Pirlot-Frésart & Co.)
UTILIZATION BY OTHER COUNTRIES
The Comblain in various models was utilized by at least Belgium, Brazil (6 rifle and 3 carbine models), Chile, Morocco, Persia, Peru and perhaps Greece.
Brazil:
See Page on Brazilian Comblains
Chile:
Chile ordered some Comblains from the Liege Syndicate during 1870; however they didn't enter services until around 1874 (Jonathan Kirton). These rifles did not have any unique modifications, they were identical to the M1870 Comblain except that they were made of all steel. The lower action tang was a separate piece vs being part of the reciever.
Left Picture: Another distinguishing characteristic of the Chilean and Brazilian Comblains is the 2-piece lower tang-receiver. Notice how the lower tang is a separate piece, mounted with a screw through each side of the receiver (the screw visible is the right tang mounting screw). The Belgian has a lower tang integral with the receiver.
Left Picture: A distinguishing characteristic of both the Chilean and the Brazilian Comblains is the lower sling swivel mounting. It is mounted on a special plate which is screw-affixed to the bottom front of the receiver. The Belgian variety mounts the sling swivel on the lower buttstock. I expect that the Brazilian and Chilean mountings is far stronger.
We recieved this note about the above Cartouche:
Dear Sirs:
I am a Chilean Engineer on Mechanics, 50yr, of what 30 dedicated to Custom Gunsmithing and restoration...Arms Collector and Member of U.S. Miniature Arms Society and New Zealand Society of Gunsmiths...
See your Page some time ago and let me congratulate the effort put in it. But, on the case of a Chilean Comblain, most data were correct, but in Stock Stamp a mistake is given: Near 1870, Army rifle stocks were stamped "M J i P" what means "MAESTRANZA JENERAL I PARQUE" (General Gunworks and Ammo) I cannot imagine what 'Martetial Jineta Policia' means as do not sound as any known language, and in any case is WRONG. By the way, in Dec. 10 of 1880 the stamp changed to a Shield with star inside and letters "M del E", that means "MAESTRANZAS DEL EJERCITO" (Army Gunworks) what can give an indication of when a gun was put on service.
Please, do not hesitate to contact me in any case an information on Chilean Gun is required, do my best effort to answer.
Luis HERNANDEZ MU OSTES
Morocco:
Morocco purchased an estimated 5,000 M1882 Comblains with the hope of using a different cartridge than the standard 11x50R used in the Belgian Comblains. They are chambered in the 11x49R.
Greece:
Walter indicates that the standard Belgian version was exported to Greece. Please let us know if you have any information on this.
Peru
In 1869 the Government of Peru sent a commission to Europe to identify and purchase a weapon for the Peruvian army. They went to Belgium and purchased an estimated 2,000 Comblain rifles. Even though the order was placed in 1869 the manufacturing did not start until 1870. The Peruvian government wanted a longer lever on their Comblain rifles. These are the only Comblain rifles with the stamp II after Comblain on the right side of the action. The action was made of steel and there is "GP" markings next to the action meaning the Government of Peru. In 1873, Peru returned to Belgium to try to purchase more Comblain rifles however they were not able to complete the negotiation and were forced to purchase other rifles. The Peruvian Comblains were chambered with the standard Belgium Comblain Cartridge. If anyone has a photo to share please let us know!
Persia:
In 1882 the Persian Goverment ordered an estimated 2,500 Comblain rifles. This purchase was not for the standard army as they were already equipped with the M1867 Werndl. It is not known if these rifles used the standard Comblain cartridge or if they were chambered for the Werndl catridge.
Pictured below is a M1881 Comblain rifle has been identified as part of the estimated 1,000 or so Persian contract of 1882 rifles described by Jonathan Kirton (Gun Report Vol 50, Number 5, Oct 2004, at page 17). The rifle is rather rough, which is not surprising considering that it is an Afghan war bring-back by a US service member. The wood is raw and showing numerous small handling marks although no major cracks, and only a couple of slivers missing from the cleaning rod channel. There is a hole in the lower buttstock which may be from a previously mounted lower sling swivel.
France:
It appears that some Comblains might have been refinished and marked by the U.S.T.F which stands for "Union des Sociétés Française de Tir". If anyone has any additional information on this please let us know.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
PREDECESSOR & FOLLOW-ON RIFLES
Predecessor Rifle: Terrsen
Follow-On Rifle(s): Mauser 1898
Photo Credit: https://www.rockislandauction.com/
REFERENCES
A special thanks to Arthur Van Rossem of the Koninklijk Legermuseum, Luis HERNANDEZ MU OSTES and Brad Dixon!
Militärgewehre mit Fallblockverschluss - Heino Hintermeier
Les Armes a Feu Reglementaires Belges Depuis 1830 - Heino Hintermeier
The Comblain Rifle An Early Falling Block BreechLoader - Jonathan Grenville Kirton
Interested in learning even more about Comblain Rifles, we strongly encourge the purchase of this fine book by Jonathan Kirton!
Page built June 4, 1997
Revised March 29, 1998
Revised January 31, 1999
Revised April 16, 1999
Revised February 13, 2000
Revised March 16, 2001
Updated: Oct 29, 2021
Updated: Nov 25, 2024