TOPIC:

Dear Forummers
I am keen to find a high resolution version of this photo, or of similar photos showing Boer trenches.
Can anyone assist me?
Thanks in anticipation
Rob

I regret that I cannot be of any assistance, but I would like to say - what a cracking photo. So you suppose it was posed?

Had a look through some of my archive images Rob
Best I could find I have attatched. Not sure if they will be any use? but gives an idea of the importance of trenches used during the campaign.

Dave
Interesting to see - in your third pic - chaps using 8mm Guedes M1885 rifles (second and third chaps from the left). The protruding rear of the breech blocks and the positioning of the back sights are a give away.
Regards
IL.

IL
Well spotted, were they the rifles manufactured by Steyr? Are the rifles in the image the Portuguese version single shot breech loaders?
Regards
Dave

Dave
Yes, the M1885 Guedes rifles were made by Steyr for Portugal - but the single shot design was overtaken by developments and the rifles became surplus. They were chambered for a unique 8x60R round; some sources say the rounds were charged with black powder and others say a semi-smokeless propellent. The latter is more likely. Apparently, many Guedes were stamped with the "ZAR" marking. Here in OZ during the 1960's-70s the occasional ZAR Guedes cropped up as did the occasional Guedes round (usually headstamped for 1896).
The Guedes rifle is sometimes described as having a form of Martini action - but apart from the Guedes breech block being similarly activated by a lever, there are major design differences.
If of interest, I can post a pic of the 8x60R Guedes round vis-a-vis the 7mm Mauser and the .303" Mk,2.
Regards
IL.