Gildwiller1918 Posted July 31, 2024 Posted July 31, 2024 Here is a French Gras Calvary Carbine, Model 1866-74/M80. This rifle was originally a Chassepot, which was used up till 1874, then converted to the Gras to system in which a black powder metallic cartridge was used. The rifle then went through another change in 1880 with an improved breech block. Many rifles underwent a further modification in 1914 in which they were converted to fire the Lebel 8x50R mm cartridge. This rifle did not make it to the 1914 change and is still in 11x59R mm. This rifle like many other surplus weapons made its way to colonial territories, this one in particular made it to Ethiopia, and bears markings on the upper barrel right before the rear sight. Unlike many Ethiopian used rifles, this one has a rear sight which is mostly intact. No import markings and it is mostly matching part numbers. The Gras conversion was meant to counter the British and German advancements in cartridge and rifle advancements. Rather than design an entire new rifle, they simply modified their existing ones until a new one could be developed, which would be the 1886 Lebel. 5 Quote
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