Item:
ON9212

Original French Model 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle - Dated 1872

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. Despite the fact that the French needle fire Chassepot rifle was far superior to the needle fire Prussian Dreyse rifle, the French took a swift and decisive beating in the war of 1870-71.

In fairness to the French, the defeat was due to Napoleon III's foolhardiness in allowing himself to get captured at the Battle of Sedan and the show was then over.

The Chassepot rifle of 1866 was a single shot bolt-action rifle and was among the best of it's kind in 1866. It was quickly surpassed, principally by the British Martini-Henry, and was obsoleted in 1874 with the introduction of the metallic cartridge Gras Rifle that was in turn superseded in 1886 with the Lebel Rifle.

Our example here is dated 1872, was manufactured in CHATELLERAULT, and is in fine condition with a polished steel finish, un-blued, as it was originally issued. The rifle comes complete with cleaning rod and with at least 1/2 inch of the original "needle" firing pin in the bolt head still present that is unusual. The rifle is serial numbered 74254.

The rifle bears French proofs along with French military and acceptance markings!

This is a wonderful and unique example of a rare ignition system making it a rare and sought antique rifle.

  • This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey

    This product is available for international shipping.
  • Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon

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