Belgian single shot

[EdinFlorida]

Picked this up today. Belgian by one M. Risack. Interesting loading feature, you cock the hammer then lift a qizmo that contains the firing pin which operates the ejector.. Question is what is the caliber? The markings read FL8m.1L

I am told 8.1mm

Thoughts?

[mike ford]

Ed,
It will be easier to help you if you can provide some additional information. Is the rifle rimfire or is it centerfire? What is the groove diameter of the barrel ( found by "slugging the barrel)? What is the diameter of the chamber at the head ( from a chamber cast, or with this rifle, direct measure of the chamber itself)? This type rifle is often referred to as a Flobert, but I believe it is a different type action.
Mike

[Axel E]

This is a Warnant II action, the “reinforced version” with the breechblock supported at the rear. Usually found in 6 mm or 9 mm Flobert rimfire, more often than not smoothbore “garden guns”. Sometimes other chamberings are encountered, like .32 rimfire, 9.1x40R centerfire and 12 mm, 28, 24 g. shot. Made by the Belgian cottage industry in and around Liege. Mathieu Risack is mentioned 1879 – 1920 at Cheratte, a village between Herstal and Maastricht.

[algmule]

Hello

Here is another Warnant action smooth bore in 9 mm Flobert. Bore, at muzzle, measures around 8,26 mm. I've never shot the thing.

PB300265.JPG
PB300270.JPG

Here is another smooth bore 9 mm garden gun. A bolt action (cock on close) with Austrian origin. I can't really remember but I seem to remember the bore measuring at around 8,46 mm (I, however, have somewhat poor memory). Never shot this one either but previous owner used Fiocchi's 9 mm ammo. Length of gun is 90 cm (35 7/16 inch).
PB300271.JPG
PB300273.JPG

Peter

[EdinFlorida]

Hi. It is rimfire. The measurements are:
Head: 9.5mm
Chamber 8.0mm
Muzzle 7.5mm

Hope this helps/

BTW the first gun Peter posted looks exactly like mine.

[Axel E]

Apparently your gun is chambered for the forgotten .320 kurz = short rimfire, obsolete since WW1. This cartridge was listed in 1909 as availble with ball, shot and blank loads. Maybe it is interchangeable, at least very similar to the equally obsolete American .32 short rimfire, but this does not solve ammo supply problems.

[mike ford]

Ed,
You might be able to solve your ammo problem, if you handload. This would involve using 32 Colt cases (available from Starline) (not 32 S&W) modified to accept a 22 cal. acorn ( crimped) blank at the rim, used as the primer. The viability of this not only depends on your ability to modify the cases, but also on the ability of your particular firing pin to reach the rim of a blank located at the outermost limit of the 32 case. This idea works for 25 Stevens RF ( modified 22 Hornet cases), but not for some antique 50 cal. RF rifles ( firing pin won't reach). You might not be interested in trying this, in as much as you didn't ask about ammo.
Mike

[EdinFlorida]

I think I might have a few .31 rimfire rounds kicking about. If so, and if they fit, I might just pull the bullet and make a blank so that it "fires". It occurs to me that I might not want to use an inertial bullet puller for this operation.

The bore is funny looking, I don't think it would photograph. It has a "swirl" as if it is rifled but there are no perceptible lands and grooves. I suppose it might be "shot out" but the general condition of the weapon is sorta too good for that.