Danish Tapriffel Model 1848 17mm Percussion Muzzleloading Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,626.00
LSB#: LSB260215PM004
Make: Danish
Model: 1848 Tapriffel
Serial#: 131
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1850 Antique
Caliber: 17 mm
Action Type: Muzzleloading, single shot, black powder, percussion rifle.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “4362, 6, 603, 1850-131, 2RB1C”. The upper tang on the rifle is marked “131”. The lock plate is marked “MD 1848, 1850-131”. There are various Danish proof and assembly marks. “131” is marked on several of the small parts like the safety, hammer, etc.
Barrel Length: 36″
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a half moon blade integral to the barrel band. The rear sight is a sliding adjustable V notch marked out to 600, noted by some as the “Grasshopper”.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is a one piece full length smooth walnut, 3 bands, straight grip, straight comb, and smooth brass buttplate. The LOP is 13″ from trigger to buttplate. There has been some minor refinish work done at some point. Some of the damage has been finished over. There is a steel patchbox, the latch is missing. There are light cracks around the lock and patchbox, none of them structural. There is a pin above the rear sling stud. There is oil staining around the lock. Overall this stock is in Very Good condition for an antique.
Type of Finish: Arsenal Bright, Brass
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling well defined. There is some light erosion throughout. There is light corrosion pitting. In this writer’s opinion this bore rates 6/10 for a black powder antique.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains virtually none of its original finish. The majority of the metal has worn to a brown patina. There is handling and operational wear throughout. There are nicks and scratches. The brass has some tarnish and age darkening. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled but are serviceable. The markings are clear. Overall this rifle is in Good to Very Good condition for an antique.
Mechanics: This rifle appears to be functional. The half and full cock notches hold. The nipple is free and the firing channel clear. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: Bayonet, numbers do not match.
Our Assessment: The Danish Model 1848 Tapriffel represents a pivotal moment in mid-19th century European military development, as Denmark transitioned from earlier smoothbore arms to rifled percussion service rifles capable of improved range and accuracy. Produced around 1850, these rifles were part of Denmark’s modernization efforts leading into the First Schleswig War period, where infantry effectiveness increasingly depended on rifled arms. Chambered in 17mm, a substantial military caliber of the era, the Tapriffel was designed to deliver heavy projectiles with greater stability than its smoothbore predecessors. The sliding rear sight graduated to 600 reflects this shift toward deliberate, aimed fire at extended distances, while the robust three-band configuration and full-length stock speak to its intended role as a standard infantry arm.
This example shows clear signs of long service and honest age, now presenting in a uniform brown patina with the original arsenal bright finish having transitioned naturally over time. The markings, including matching “131” serial numbers across multiple components, remain well preserved and legible, reinforcing the rifle’s cohesive history. The walnut stock, configured with a straight grip and comb and fitted with a brass buttplate, remains structurally sound with only light cracking around the lock and patchbox areas, typical for a piece of this age. The presence of a steel patchbox, even with a missing latch, and the period sling hardware further enhance its military character. The bore, with visible rifling and moderate wear consistent with black powder use, complements the rifle’s overall state of preservation. Most of these rifles were modified to the Snider cartridge conversion so to find one that remains original is not common.
Mechanically, the rifle retains functional integrity with secure half and full cock positions and a clear firing channel, indicating it has been maintained with a degree of care over its lifetime. The included bayonet, though non-matching, adds to the display and historical completeness of the piece. Altogether, this Model 1848 Tapriffel stands as a tangible example of Denmark’s adoption of rifled infantry arms, offering a well-balanced combination of historical presence, visible service use, and surviving original features that continue to reflect its role in a transformative period of military firearms development. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! MF