Designed in 1869 by Eduard de Beaumont as a replacement to the Dutch variant of the single shot snider-enfield. The 1871 was originally adopted as a single shot, but would later be fitted with a Vitali magazine system in the late 1880s. This conversion allowed for a total four round capacity. The bolt was similar in design to rifles like the French Gras. The major difference being the placement of the recoil spring, rather than being in the bolt body, the Beaumonts spring is actually located in the two piece bolt handle. The Beaumont is chambered in the 11.3x50mmR of the 11x52mmR cartridge. This example has been shortened from it's original military pattern into a short rifle, it was not a purpose built carbine as it retains the original rifle sight. This conversion was actually done during the First World War. An unknown amount of Beaumont rifles were confiscated by German second line troops during the war, likely found by occupying forces in Belgium at the Liege factory in Belgium. These were then shortened and converted into the pattern that this example is in and issued to rear guard forces. From 1869-1890 there were approximately 138,000 rifles/carbines produced.