Austro-Hungarian Wanzl Lorenz Infantry Rifles M1854/67 & M1862/67

Wanzl Infanterie Gewehr M1854/67 und M1862/67

Wanzl Rifle Photos courtesy of Gutterman Historical Weapons

This conversion was designed by Wanzl, a gunsmith in Wien, to convert muzzleloaders to the more modern breech loading system.
In 1867 Steyr got the Austrian contract to convert 80,000 Lorenz muskets into breechloaders using the Wanzl System. Based on Steyr records, 70,000 weapons were converted. A trap-door type breech system containing the firing mechanism was installed. The original musket hammer was retained for activation of firing. A 14mm Wanzl rimfire cartridge was used. The weapon designations were Infanterie Gewehr M1854/67 and Infanterie Gewehr M1862/67. These rifles have two barrel bands plus a nosecap, sling swivels are mounted on the bottom of the buttstock and forend.

Original Lorenz Musket maker, Ferdinand Fruwirth's crest shown

M1854 Socket type Lorenz Bayonet

Wanzl JagerStutzen M1854/67 und M1862/67

This weapon is the shorter version of the above rifle. These rifles have a nosecap, but no barrel bands. The barrel is held to the stock by a barrel pin. Spurred trigger guard.

Wanzl Extra-Corps Gewehr M1854/67 und M1862/67

This weapon is the Extra-Corps carbine version of the above rifle. These carbines have a single barrel bands plus a nosecap, sling swivels are mounted on the bottom of the buttstock and barrel band.

Wanzl WallGewehr M1872

This weapon is a Wanzl converted Albini/Braendlin type action, designed to be used in for defense. It has no sling swivels. The barrel is held in the stock by barrel pins, it has no barrel bands.