AR617   AR617 Boer War Guedes (Giddy) rifleAn 8x60R Steyr M.1885 Guedes rifle No.: 6233. OEWG circular logo with M/1885 and Steyr 1886; intertwined Portuguese arms to right hand side of action. Single shot dropping block rifle made by Steyr in Austria, initially for Portugal, but taken into service by the Boer republics and used to very good effect in the Second Anglo-Boer War. Bright, shiny and quite crisp bore. Metalwork clean and blacked (looks all original colour, albeit patchy, at the action body), a couple of old light patches of pitting towards top band and salt and pepper externally at muzzle. matching numbers except for lock s/n: 674. Wood generally very minor dings and scuffs but good colour, although they’d steam out, I would be inclined to leave well alone. Well marked throughout. The Guedes (known to the Boers as the Giddy rifle) was named after its designer, Capt. Guedes (pronounced Gwedesh) of the Portuguese army. Only manufactured by OEWG Steyr, production was small at variously reported 8000 to 12000 only. Many were destroyed by the British army after the Boer surrender. This rifle has current British proof.     .