Very scarce Romanian military issue Martini-Peabody M.1879 rifle in its original, .45 caliber (11.43mm x 49R). This was the first rifle adopted by Romanian army after the country declared independence in 1878. The rifle was manufactured by the Waffen- und Guss-stahl Fabrik, Witten an der Ruhr in Germany in 1879. The rifle is practically identical with the Turkish M.1874, except for the markings. The right side of the receiver displays a Romanian Royal Crown over the cartouche with wording: "ARMATA ROMANA, ARMA, Md. 1879". The rifle shows Romanian military issue markings stamped on the right side of the receiver and barrel, "Crossed Lances", "Royal Crown", "Arrow" and "Romanian Phoenix Rising from Ashes". The serial number is stamped on the right side of the buttstock, receiver and barrel (matching). The left side of the receiver and buttstock displays a crown over the maker's cartouche, "WITTEN 1879"(fading cartouche on the buttstock, please, see pictures). The markings on the receiver are very crisp. German assembly markings are present on all the metal parts. The buttstock is "decorated" with brass pins. Short lever action. Correct military style rear sights. Front barrel band with saber type bayonet lug. The cleaning rod is missing. Complete with original socket bayonet with quadrangular blade. Overall length: 50 inch. Barrel length: 33 inch. CONDITION: Good. The rifle was unprofessionally restored. The metal parts show, what seems to be, a worn cold blue applied over the surface that was not properly polished. Some light pitting and metal roughness under the reblue (mostly on the barrel). There are some filing marks on the barrel, near the muzzle. Stocks are in overall fair condition. A large piece of the forestock was replaced. The buttstock shows a couple of repaired cracks. Some filling material was used on the buttstock, near the receiver. A layer of varnish was added to the stocks' finish. All the markings on the metal are clearly visible. Fading , partially recognizable markings on the stocks. The bore is dark, but the rifling is still strong. Very crisp action. This scarce rifle is begging for a professional restoration! Serial# F.31XX.
