Scarce Portuguese military contract single shot, breech loading Guedes M.1885 military rifle. Caliber: 8 x 60 Rimmed. The rifle was manufactured by Steyr in Austro-Hungary in 1886, as indicated by markings on the receiver and buttstock. A few, if any, Guedes rifles were delivered to Portugal, when the contract was canceled. All the remaining Guedes rifles (about eight thousand) were sold by the Steyr factory to the Boers. Thousands of these rifles were used in the Boer War against the British. Guedes was a weapon of choice of many Boer sharpshooters. The upper part of the receiver of the rifle displays, "Z.A.R" (Zuid Afrikaanische Republiek - South African Republic) property markings. The right side of the receiver of the rifle displays a Portuguese Royal Crown over "L I" (cipher of King Luiz I, who reigned from 1861 to 1889). The left side of the receiver of the rifle displays, "M. 1885, OEWG, Steyr 1886". Markings and cartouches on the stock. The right side of the buttstock displays a Steyr cartouche with the following markings, "M. 1885, OEWG, Steyr 1886". The upper part of the receiver displays a Portuguese Royal Crown. Several other marks and proofs are stamped on the various parts of the rifle. Matching serial numbers on the receiver, block, forestock, buttstock, rear sight and on the lever mechanism. No serial numbers are stamped on all the remaining parts of the rifle, which is correct for this model. All the serial numbers are original and they were not restamped. The rifle utilizes the breech with a locking block that moves up and down. The locking block is activated by a lever combined with a trigger guard. The action has a safety lever located behind the trigger. Two steel barrel bands configuration with a nose cap. Steel receiver. Adjustable rear sights. Ramp and leaf sight is graduated to 1500 meters. The bayonet lug for the saber type bayonet is located on the right side of the front barrel band. Complete with a correct OEWG bayonet. This rifle is in original condition, and it was never refurbished. Overall length: 48 inch. Barrel length: 32.25 inch. CONDITION: Overall, in NRA antique fine condition. Good profiles and clear markings. Most of the finish turned to dull, grey patina with some wear on the barrel bands and on the lever/trigger guard assembly. The buttplate shows some light patina. The stocks are in original finish, with some handling marks, minor dings and light scratches. Bore is in fine plus condition, with strong and shiny rifling. Mechanically, the rifle is in excellent condition with crisp, strong action. All the markings and numbers are clearly visible on both, metal and wood. All the internal parts of the rifle are in fine condition with no obvious wear. Bayonet is also in fine condition with greyish blade and blued scabbard with couple of small dents. Scarce Boer issue Guedes rifle. Serial# 3442.Antique.
