GENERALLY:  This rugged dropping-block design is the creation of Hubert-Joseph Comblain of Liege, Belgium. It is seen with both a bronze and steel receiver, and may also be properly called a sliding-block action. Walter indicates that the standard Belgian version was exported to Greece and later Chile and Peru, while a special Brazilian Comblain pattern was made soley for that country. My information, however, indicates that six models of the Comblain (as well as two Artillery Carbine and a Cadet Rifle model) were built for Brazil at least the Chilean Comblain rifles were made in yet another distinctive pattern.

PHOTO: The rifle shown is a standard M1882 Belgian Comblain, slightly longer than the M1870 Belgian Comblain, with a simplified lever and the addition of a half-cock safety notch to the hammer which could now be cocked and uncocked at will.  A complete set of photos of the M1870 Belgian Comblain may be seen at the link here and below.

DISTINGUISHING CHARECTERISTICS:  A unique action, the Comblain can hardly be mistaken for anything else. The relatively massive receiver houses a substantial breech block which is pivoted back and downward by the combination trigger guard/operating lever which pivots forward of the trigger. The trigger itself is located in a semi-cylindrical steel housing also containing the mainspring and sear assembly. Operation of the rifle is also unique. Pushing the trigger guard downward and forward (most easily accomplished by pushing through with the thumb of the trigger hand) slightly backs and lowers the breech block/hammer/trigger/spring assembly, which then rotates radially down and away from the chamber while both cocking the hammer and extracting the cartridge case.

The Belgian Comblain has a longer, more elegant receiver than its Brazilian or Chilean brothers, with the lower tang made as an integral part of the receiver casting. It also has an exposed hammer. The lower tangs of the Brazilian and Chilean models are seperate pieces fitting into a mating slot in the back of the receiver and held in place by a specific transverse screw at the receiver's lower back. Also, the rear sling swivel of the Brazilian and Chilian models, unlike the Belgian model, is attached to a seperate plate which itself is attached to the lower front of the receiver.  The Brazilian model has a smaller hammer which is both protected and totally concealed by a small quarter circle shroud. Chamber casting could also shed light on a specific specimin as the Belgian and Brazilian rifles were chambered for different cartridges, the Belgian chambering the Albini cartridge and the Brazilian chambering a cartridge possibly unique to Brazil, although the Chilean chambering (like the Greek and Peruvian chamberings) is uncertain.

MISC NOTES:  See also M1873 Brazilian Comblain and M1874(?) Chilean Comblain which are each distinctive variants.