M1870 Belgian Comblain

The M1870 Belgian Comblain was a falling-block rifle invented by Hubert-Joseph Comblain of Liège, Belgium and produced in several variants known as the Brazilian, Chilean or Belgian Comblain.

M1870 Belgian Comblain
Chilean soldier during the War of the Pacific and his Comblain[1]
Type	Service rifle
Place of origin	Belgium
Service history
Used by	Belgian, Brazilian and Chilean armies
Wars	War of the Pacific WWI German Invasion of Belgium
Production history
Designer	Hubert-Joseph Comblain
Specifications
Mass	4.3 kg (without bayonet)
Length	130 cm (without bayonet)
Cartridge	11×50mm R Comblain
Cartridge weight	40 gr
Caliber	11mm
Action	Falling-block
Rate of fire	10 shots/min
Effective firing range	300 m
Maximum firing range	1300 m
Sights	Iron

W.W Greener wrote in Modern breechloaders: sporting and military in 1871 (page 214):

This rifle is called No.2, to distinguish it from the first Comblain, which is a modification of the Snider principle. The Comblain no 2 has the vertical sliding block and guard lever of the Sharp rifle; but the arrangement for exploding the cartridge is different.

The mechanism of the lock is fixed in the breech block, which consists of the ordinary main-spring acting upon a tumbler by a swivel. The tumbler and striker are made in one piece; the scear and trigger are also in one piece . By depressing the lever the breech block is brought down, the cartridge-case extracted and the rifle is cocked. A fresh cartridge being inserted, and the lever returned, the rifle is ready for firing.

Comblain Breech block.

The hinge screw can be removed without the aid of a turnscrew, which arrangement allows the breech block and lock to be taken out for the purpose of cleaning.

The breech arrangement is strong and simple. It is used by the Belgian volunteers, and has been severely tested both at Liege and Wimbledon.