The Pope’s Holy Rifle — The Remington Rolling Block PontificioA licensed copy of the American

The Pope’s Holy Rifle — The Remington Rolling Block PontificioA licensed copy of the American Remington Rolling Block Model 1867, The Model 1868 Pontificio was a single shot breechloading rifle that was used to arms the soldiers of the Papal states from 1868 until 1870.  Today the Vatican is recognized as a sovereign country, but one no bigger than 109 acres in size. However throughout most of history the Papal States was a sovereign nation that dominated most of central Italy.  By the time the Pontificio was adopted in 1868, the Papal States still controlled Rome and it’s surrounding territory.The Papal States also had it’s own military, and no I’m not talking about the Swiss Guard but rather a large fighting force consisting of 15,000 soldiers.  The Model 1868 Pontificio was adopted to arm the Papal Army with a more modern breechloading self contained metallic cartridge firearm, whereas before the Papal Army used muzzleloading percussion muskets.  The Model 1868 was produced by two manufacturers; Westely Richards in England and Emile & Leon Nagant (of Mosin Nagant rifle and Nagant revolver fame) in Belgium.  It was chambered for a 12.7x45mm black powder cartridge that was only used by the Papal Army.  All were stamped on the receiver with the Catholic Keys of St. Peter marking.On September 20th, 1870, the Papal States came to an end when Rome was stormed by 50,000 Italian soldiers, thus completing Italian Unification. Most Pontificio rifles were seized and reissued to the Italian Army. The Papacy ceased to exist as a sovereign entity until Vatican City was established in 1929 with Lateran Treaty.   Today Model 1868 Pontificio rifles are extremely rare pieces which are highly sought by collectors.http://www.papalartifacts.com/portfolio-item/rolling-block-remington-carbine-rifle/ -- source link

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