Measuring about seven feet in length and weighing over 30 pounds, these rifles were designed to be used as defensive weapons in fortifications, providing range and striking power above and beyond the average infantry rifle, while being more maneuverable than artillery, filling the niche between the two. After China's defeat by England in two Opium Wars, the Chinese Qing Imperial Court began to appreciate modern gun power. This massive weapon embodies their ambition to win future wars. Dubbed the "jingal" by British forces, it's hard not to compare these antique rampart guns to the early anti-tank rifles of World War I and World War II, as well as to the modern anti-material rifles. The barrel is fitted with an empty dovetail for a front sight and a folding ladder rear sight, and has 10 Chinese characters that indicate manufacture in 1896 at the Southern Arsenal in the vicinity of Tianjin, which was a Boxer stronghold and a major battle site during the Boxer Rebellion. The receiver is of simple construction, with a set of interrupted threads at the rear to engage the bolt, which is fitted with a smooth round cocking piece and a heavy octagonal bolt handle, and a rotating dust cover. The stock is fitted with three barrel bands, a straight wrist, an octagonal cutout in the right side, possibly for bolt disassembly, a brass slot in the underside, possibly to accommodate a pintle mount, and a smooth buttplate.

Fine overall. The metal shows a mixed brown and gray patina with mild handling marks, and the wood shows some mild scuffs and dents. A crack is visible in the dust cover at the rear, and the rear sight is bent. Mechanically functions fine.