Verney-Carron Frères
Fusil du Tsar Nicolas II
Verney
Carron brothers from the end of the 19th century caliber 16 "diamond steel"
barrels of 72 cm with external hammers.
Barrels
of a beautiful deep midnight blue with a mirror polished interior, I think I
have never fired.
But what
is interesting is its serial number "C80" just a letter and two numbers is that
it would have belonged to Tsar Nicholas II, in fact a small series outside the
usual numbering, series of 90 (80) rifles of caliber 12 and 16 offered in 1896
for his coronation by Felix Faure President of France at that time.
My
father acquired this rifle a long time ago, (as well as a piano) from a very old
Russian Lady who lived near me at the end of the 60s.
There
was then the thermal photocopy of a letter from Verney Carron Freres which
attested to its origin. Since then this photocopy has disintegrated and faded
over the years, but my father was able to duplicate it and I have a copy.
I am
attaching some photos and a copy of the letter as well as the typewritten
translation of this handwritten letter.
Norbert S.
