SOLD - Russian Berdan II M1870 Tula Rifle

9/11/18 - This must be one of the best conditioned early M1870 Imperial Russian Berdan II rifles out there.  It's an 1881 dated specimen, made at the “Tula Imperial factory”, that retains about 80% of its original blue with some high edge wear present, and patina throughout the barrel. The gun is profusely marked in Cyrillic script with a Russian Imperial Eagle proof on the chamber.  All the lettering and numbers are crisp and match except for the bolt assembly (all of the Berdan rifles that we have seen have mismatched bolts). The wood had not been refinished and is in great shape, except for a few nicks and scratches that you would expect to see on a 139 year old rifle that had seen military use probably until 1945. A cartouche is still visible on the right side of the buttstock. No cracks. Very good bore. Even an original cleaning rod is present. Truly, an unbelievable condition antique Russian Imperial rifle.