Here's a great example of the only true "carbine conversion" of the M1871 Dutch Beaumont Rifle. This rifle originally began life as a full length Dutch M1871 complete with a full length stock and 32" barrel. In 1879, a small number of M71 rifles were returned to the P. Stevens Arsenal in Maastricht to be converted into cavalry carbines for use by the KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army) in the Dutch East Indies. This conversion included shortening the barrel to 22", and remounting a Beaumont front sight at the muzzle. The fore stock was also cut back to carbine length, and the cleaning rod channel cut into a neat dovetail so that a corresponding piece of wood could be neatly slotted into the channel and plug the hole for the cleaning rod. Finally, the arm was blued to better withstand the humid conditions of the tropics. This new carbine was designated the M73, and remains the only true carbine conversion of the Dutch Beaumont rifle to be done by the Netherlands, with other shortened Beaumonts having been sporterized in Liege Belgium for the civilian market.
As a rare variant, the M73 carbine is often faked with unscrupulous dealers cutting down original Beaumonts to replicate a KNIL carbine. However, there is one feature that isn't easily faked that sets the true carbines apart from the fakes: the taper of the barrel. When P. Stevens built the original M73 carbines, they not only shortened the barrel, but re-tapered to allow a standard M1871 bayonet to be mounted. As a result, a true M73 carbine will measure .692 at the muzzle; while faked guns measure a much larger .750; due to the slower taper of their rifle barrels.
This particular M73 carbine is in good condition and shows some good honest use. The stock is in great shape with faint but legible cartouches. Structurally sound, there is no real damage to speak of, other than a small, stable crack in the fore stock above the band spring. The dovetailed cleaning rod channel plug is intact and fits so well that it is nearly indiscernible from the rest of the stock. Additionally there is a lighter-colored rectangular section of the wood on the bottom of the forestock. At first glance, we thought this to be an old repair, but upon further inspection it is actually an area of discoloration from an old museum ID sticker.
The action is in good condition with a smooth action and solid lock up. The firing pin spring appears to be a replacement as the action of the "plunger" is weak.
The barrel is in good condition and shows evidence of having spent time in a tropical environment as illustrated by light degree of pitting on both the receiver and barrel. The bore is quite good however - mostly shiny with strong rifling and only minor rusting and pitting throughout. Unlike most M1871 rifles, the M73 was not re-chambered to the 11.3 x 52R cartridge, as this more powerful cartridge was deemed unsuitable for the tropics. Instead, the M73 remains chambered in the older 11 x 52mm cartridge.
The furniture is all original and matching.
