The Fusil Modèle 1874 or Gras was the French Army's primary service rifle from 1874 to 1886. Designed by Colonel Basile Gras, the Gras was a metallic cartridge adaptation of the single-shot, breech-loading, black powder Chassepot rifle. It was developed from 1872 to 1874 as a response to the German adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge rifle.
samples of the Greek M1939 bayonet
The Model 1874 sword bayonet.
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization anti-Ottoman guerrilla with Gras rifles, circa 1903.
R: 11×59.5 mm R metallic cartridge for Fusil Gras mle 1874
The Chassepot, officially known as Fusil modèle 1866, was a bolt-action military breechloading rifle. It is famous for having been the arm of the French forces in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871. It replaced an assortment of Minié muzzleloading rifles, many of which were converted in 1864 to breech loading. An improvement to existing military rifles in 1866, the Chassepot marked the commencement of the era of modern bolt action, breech-loading military rifles. The Gras rifle was an adaption of the Chassepot designed to fire metallic cartridges introduced in 1874.
Chassepot rifle with bayonet
Chassepot bolt mechanism
Chassepot paper cartridge and boxes.
French soldier with Chassepot rifle.