M1867 Albini-Braendlin

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	Weapon: M1867 Albini-Braendlin Type: Infantry Rifle Country of Origin: Belgium Year Adopted: 1867 Overall Length (mm): 1320.0 Overall Length (in): 51.97 Weight (kg): 4.00 Weight (pounds): 8.82

The M1867 Albini-Braendlin was a Belgian breech-loading rifle that used a unique hinged breechblock mechanism for loading. It was designed by Italian inventor Augusto Albini and British gunsmith Francis Braendlin, combining elements from earlier designs to create a more efficient loading process. The rifle was chambered for a large .43 caliber round, making it powerful for its time.

The rifle was adopted by Belgium in 1867 and saw service in various colonial conflicts as well as with the Belgian military. Its breech-loading mechanism made it much faster to reload than earlier muzzle-loading rifles, giving soldiers a significant advantage in battle. Despite its innovations, it was eventually replaced by more modern bolt-action rifles in the late 19th century.

The M1867 Albini-Braendlin is remembered as one of the key transitional weapons in European military history, bridging the gap between muzzle-loading muskets and more advanced repeating rifles. It is now a highly collectible firearm, valued for its historical significance and unique design.