The main Bavarian rifle of the 1870 Franco-Prussian war was the 13.9mm percussion M1858/67 Podewils-Linsner rifle musket. Starting in 1869, it was being replaced by the Werder breechloader but only four regiments had the newer Werder during the war. The Podewils-Lindner started out as the percuswsion Model 1858 Podewils rifle which was altered to a percussion breech-loading bolt action using the Lindner conversion. It used a paper cartridge with a heavy lubricated base with a percussion cap. The soldier removed the cap and placed it on the nipple. The breech opened with a quarter turn of the bolt handle that was then pulled to the rear. The cartridge was loaded and the bolt was pushed forward and turned down to lock the action. When the rifle was fired the lubricated base was supposed to expand to seal the action. When the next cartridge was loaded the bullet pushed the lubed base into the bore which would scrub it with the next shot. The Podewils-Lindner was in use for only a few years as it was considered inferior to the German Dreyse and French Chassepot needle guns. The overall length si approx. 51.5". The round approx. 36" barrel has a very good bore with strong rifling and scattered areas of roughness. The metal has a smooth brown patina. The lock is marked AMBERG 1866 in an arc over a crown with parts being very light. The barrel and receiver have matching serial numbers. The receiver has three Bavarian inspection stamps on the left side. The stock is very good with no cracks or chips, issue dents and dings, a crown inspection staqmp on the right side of the butt and, possibly, another crown stamp on the left flat. The swivels and original ramrod are present. The action functions correctly. This is a nice example of an early bolt action rifle-musket that is rarely seen on the collector market. A good reference on the Podewils is "Military Bolt Action Rifles 1841-1918" by Donald B. Webster.