This military longarm, called the Austrian Pattern 1854 infantry rifle, is more popularly known as the “Lorenz”.  Developed by the Austrian army to replace their older infantry muskets, the accepted design in 1854 utilized an advanced percussion ignition system summited by Josef Lorenz, a Viennese gunsmith. The .55 caliber, single trigger, nine-pound longarm measures 52½” long overall, is fitted with a 37¼” barrel with a bore of four grooves and a slight right hand twist. Bore exhibits almost no traces of its original rifling.  Barrel bolster area shows light to moderate pitting as expected.  Barrel is secured to the beech wood stock via three spring-retained barrel bands with the upper having a wide strap that extends back to protect the underside of the forearm.  Middle and upper band are close together.

Stock has no visible markings but does have a medium size cheek piece on the left side. Stock appears to have been refinished.  All bands exhibit inspector marks on their left side.  Iron sling swivels mounted at the triggerguard and on the middle band.  Lockplate has been cleaned and has the marking “860” in front of the hammer and a small maker’s mark behind the hammer.  Iron side plate also bears inspector marks. Barrel is stamped with “LG: JUST.” on the top flat as Leige gunsmiths produced these firearms and sold them worldwide. Rear sight is a large, block open sight while the front sight is the raised blade type. Triggerguard, bands, buttplate are all iron. Entire barrel surface, triggerguard, bands and ramrod show a mix of patina with a spotty peppery look. Mechanics strong.  All screws original in good condition with buttplate screw slightly buggered.  The heavy, bulb-tipped ramrod has been cleaned and retains its threaded tip.

The Austrian M1854 rifle was the second most imported longarm to America from 1861 to 1865 with some 225,000 imported to the Union, and 100,000 sent to the Confederacy. A fine imported accurate longarm.

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