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Martini-Henry, and was obsoleted in 1874 with the introduction of the metallic cartridge Gras Rifle that was in turn superseded in 1886 with the Lebel Rifle.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 S.1867, and is a very early example of this rifle, making use in the Franco-Prussian war is very likely, as the manufacturer markings have been removed. This was usually only done on captured weapons. All of the other markings and cartouches are still present. The rifle is in fine condition with a polished steel finish, un-blued, as it was originally issued, though there is some browning from age. The rifle comes complete with cleaning rod and with what appears to be an intact needle, complete with the leather sealing washers in the bolt head. The rifle is serial numbered F20947 on all parts of the rifle except the cleaning rod, including all parts of the bolt, receiver, barrel, stock, sight, and others.
The rifle bears French proofs along with French military and acceptance markings! Bore shows clear lands and grooves, with a bright finish. Stock is in great shape with some wear, but no major issues, and has quite a bit of figuring around the butt stock area. This is a wonderful and unique example of a rare ignition system making it a rare and sought antique rifle.
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is available for international shipping.
- 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 posses, 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.
These antique guns are not sold in live condition. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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