Liégeoise Model 1888

Liégeoise Model 1888
Production information
Country of origin	Belgium
Manufacturer(s)	Manufacture Liégeoise d’armes à Feu
Designer(s)	Casper Engh
Year(s) designed	1888
Number built	6
Technical specifications
Weapon type	Bolt-action rifle
Caliber	7.65×53mm Mauser
Action	Straight-pull bolt-action
Feed system	5-round en bloc clip
Other information
Other name(s)	Engh rifle

The Liégeoise Model 1888 (lee-a-jwaz) is a Belgian prototype straight-pull bolt action rifle.

History

This rifle was designed by Casper Engh and was submitted for trials in Belgium for use as a new service rifle in 1888 and 1889; the weapon was rejected very early in said trial and lost out to the Mauser Model 1889. Six rifles were built; at least two are known to survive today.

Design Details

At first glance, the rifle looks a normal straight-pull bolt action rifle with the exception of the slightly-odd placement of the bolt handle, however, the weapon's bolt is of an extremely atypical design. The weapon's bolt handle is actually a sliding piece that slides back and forth inside a slot; sliding the bolt handle back and forth rotates the weapon's vertical locking lugs.

The weapon uses a Mannlicher-style en bloc clip, although it appears to be a proprietary type of clip which appears to be diagonal according to patent drawings. A small button forward of the trigger can be toggled to eject a partially-empty clip. The weapon has a small rotating switch on the right side which acts as a bolt stop, while the safety is a small pivoting switch located behind the bolt. On cocking the weapon, the striker assembly protrudes out the back of the rifle indicating that it is cocked.

The cleaning rod is mounted off to the left side of the weapon. The trigger is completely loose; the spring tensioning the trigger is located in the bolt assembly. The extractor is mechanical and rotates on a pivot. Very few markings of any sort are present on the rifle itself; the only markings on the rifle are "MANUFACTURE LIEGEOISE D'ARMES A FEU" and "SYSTEM ENGH BREVETE MODELE 1888" engraved on the left and right sides of the receiver respectively.

Ammunition

The Liégeoise used 7.65×53mm Mauser ammunition as per trials requirements. The ammunition is fed through diagonal stripper clips.