Original item: Only One Available. The Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80 was one of the primary French service rifle of the late 19th century. The Gras used by the French Army was an adaptation to metallic cartridge of the Chassepot Mle 1866 breech-loading rifle, developed by Colonel Basile Gras. The first examples were in fact conversions of the Chassepot, replacing the needle-fire system with a bolt action one.

This is a very nice example of the Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80, complete with an original T-Back Bladed M1874 bayonet and scabbard. The receiver on the rifle is marked with MANUFACTURE D'ARMES / St. Étienne over M.80, and to the right is the model designation Mle 1874. The rifle has an issue date marking of S. 1875 stamped into the right barrel nocks form, for manufacture at the Imperial Arsenal of St. Étienne in 1875. The "M.80" marking is for the update to the action that added a channel for gas escape to the bolt head and receiver, in the case of a ruptured primer, and we have confirmed the receiver was modified. It comes with all original steel mounts and correct cleaning rod. Most fittings bear the correct government proof marks, though some are worn.

This rifle has mismatched serial numbers, which would indicate that it did have parts swapped at arsenal, a very common occurrence once the Gras was obsolete. It is marked with serial number G 28445 on the barrel and bayonet stand, while the bolt components, cleaning rod, and stock are marked with different serial numbers. The metalwork may have been refinished at some point, and the bluing is well retained on the barrel and receiver, with some oxidation along the wood line. The bolt shows some past oxidation, with light pitting in areas, now mostly cleaned away. The bore however is in truly excellent condition, showing a mirror bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. It shows little to no sign of use, and must have been well protected from the elements. The rifle cycles and dry fires well, with no major issues to note.

The stock is in very good condition with great color, showing the expected dents, dings, and other wear from service. It does not look to have been arsenal reconditioned, however it definitely has been worn down a bit from cleaning. This has made some of the markings faint, though we can still see the MA on the "Holy Water Plug" boxwood insert on the right side of the stock, and just a bit of the cartouche. There are also several letters and symbols carved into both sides of the butt stock. Both sling swivels are present and move relatively easily, and the rear sight is fully functional, though a bit stiff.

Included with this rifle a correct issue T-backed Blade Model 1874 "Gras" sword bayonet with steel scabbard. This bayonet is in very good good condition, with a bright steel blade with little corrosion, and all the correct issue markings. The T-shaped back of the bayonet is marked M're d'Armes de St. Étienne 7bre 1876, indicating manufacture at the St. Étienne Arsenal in September 1876. The hilt is in very good used condition, with some oxidation staining on the steel components, and light wear to the wooden grip. The scabbard is in very good condition and easily fits over the blade, with the original blued finish well retained, and shows no major dents. The bayonet fits the rifle well, though there is some deformation of the front of the bayonet stand, so it does not fit into the slot in the cross guard, preventing it from locking on without modification.

A very nice condition Antique French Gras Rifle with a fantastic bore, complete with original Gras Bayonet and Scabbard. Ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-
Year of Manufacture: 1875
Caliber: 11×59mmR Gras
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
Overall Length: 51.4 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

Specifications (Bayonet):-
Blade Length: 20 1/2"
Blade Style: T-shaped
Overall length: 25 3/8"
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard Length: 21 1/8"

The French Fusil "Gras" Modèle 1874 Rifle had a caliber of 11mm and used black powder centerfire cartridges that weighed 25 grams. It was a robust and hard-hitting weapon, but it had no magazine and so could only fire one shot after loading. It also had a triangular-shaped sword bayonet, known as the Model 1874 "Gras" sword bayonet. It was replaced by the Lebel rifle in 1886, the first rifle to use smokeless gunpowder. In the meantime, about 400,000 Gras rifles had been manufactured.

The metallic-cartridge Gras was manufactured in response to the development of the metallic cartridge designed by Colonel Boxer in 1866 (Boxer cartridge), and the British 1870 Martini-Henry rifle. Those were soon emulated by the Germans with the 1871 Mauser.

The Hellenic Army adopted the Gras in 1877, and it was used in all conflicts up until the Second World War. It became the favourite weapon of Greek guerrilla fighters, from the various revolts against the Ottoman Empire to the resistance against the Axis, acquiring legendary status. The name entered the Greek language, and grades (γκράδες) was a term colloquially applied to all rifles during the first half of the 20th century. It was manufactured by various arms factories in France, though most of the rifles sent to Greece were made by the ŒWG Austrian Arms Factory at Steyr.

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.