POTD: France’s First Breechloader – The Needle-Fire Chassepot
Sam.S 02.23.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Chassepot rifle emerged in 1866 as the new standard-issue firearm of the French army. In a major technological shift, the bolt-action Chassepot replaced outdated muzzleloading rifles with a breechloading design. This marked France’s transition to modern rifles. The rifle was invented by Antoine Alphonse Chassepot and fired lead bullets at high velocities, inflicting severe wounds. Compared to the main Prussian rifle, the Dreyse, the French had advantages in muzzle velocity, range, and sights. Around one million were available by 1870. The rifle saw combat against Prussian forces in the Franco-Prussian War and performed well overall. However, issues arose with paper cartridge residue fouling the rifle. After France’s defeat, many captured Chassepots were converted to fire Mauser rounds. The M1886 was phased out around 1874 and replaced by the metallic-cartridge Gras rifle. Over 1.4 million Chassepots were manufactured, pioneering technologies later used in French artillery. The Chassepot’s adoption ushered in the era of modern bolt-action rifles for the French military.
“Manufacturer: St. EtienneModel: 1866Type: RifleGauge: 11 mmBarrel: 32 inch part octagonFinish: brightStock: walnut”
Lot 234: French St. Etienne Model 1866 Chasspot Bolt Action Rifle. (n.d.-b). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2076/234/french-st-etienne-model-1866-chassepot-bolt-action-rifle.
