Some of the most beautiful work of this craftsman, and many others, are in this book “Liège Gunmakers through their Work. 1800 - 1950”.
For more detail see: LIEGE GUNMAKERS
Nagant 1878-86
This
78/86 seems to conform except for the abnormally short barrel length and its
case that seems to fit that length. The presence of official Belgian Army
markings precludes a possible foreign contract, Serbian, Argentine, etc.
The
caliber is not mentioned... 9.4 mm, I guess.
I agree
with Max that this must be a special order for an important person (or a small
special unit) with sufficient authority to dispose and use a modified regulatory
weapon.
In any
case it is the only copy found to date.
Phil
It was initially a 1878/86 model, first for officers, then assigned to the School of Arms of the Artillery.
The only
short variant encountered so far tells me that this is a privative
transformation.
MAT
