P. J. Malherbe of Liege: a Crimean War trophy .704 Russian Model 1843 'Luttich' percussion service

P. J. Malherbe of Liege: a Crimean War trophy .704 Russian Model 1843 'Luttich' percussion service rifle, serial or rack number 907, twist barrel 30 in. with two-groove rifling for a belted ball, with hooked breech and retained to the stock by three wedge fasteners, quadrant back sight, long bayonet bar on barrel, back action lock impressed 'P.J. MALHERBE A LIEGE', full stock with brass furniture, a brass escutcheon on the wrist engraved 'H' above 'I' all below a crown, patch box cover engraved 'Inkermann 5th November 1854 C.R.D.' in four lines, butt plate tang with 'No 907', steel ram rod with cupped brass head. Section 58(2) - no licence required if possessed as a curiosity or ornament.

The George Geear Collection

This weapon is a close and conscious copy of the British Brunswick Rifle. The Battle of Inkermann, fought on the 5th November 1854 as part of the Crimean War, was a hard-won and decisive victory for the British and their French allies against the Imperial Russian army which terminated Russian attempts to defeat the allies in the field.