Original French Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 Infantry Rifle by Tulle Serial T 44219 with Original Sling – Dated 1879 Original Items

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 nice service used example of the Fusil Gras Modèle 1874, still relatively clearly marked on the receiver with MANUFACTURE D’ARMES / Tulle, and to the right is the model designation Mle 1874. There does not appear to be any “M80” stamp, so this example did not have the modification done to help with gas escape from the chamber in the case of a ruptured cartridge. The rifle has an issue date marking of T. 1879 stamped into the right barrel nocks form, for manufacture at the Imperial Arsenal of Tulle in 1879. It comes with all original steel mounts and an intact cleaning rod. Most fittings bear the correct government proof marks, though some are worn.

The rifle is marked with matching serial number T 44219 on the barrel, all components of the bolt, the bayonet stand, and on the left side of the butt stock. Only the cleaning rod is non-matching, making this a very nice “Mostly Matching” example, with no major parts swapped out over the years. The metalwork is in good condition, looking to possibly have been blued overall at some point, but then cleaning has removed this finish in various areas, and left it with a peppery patina in many areas. There is also a bit of past minor pitting on the barrel, now removed. The bolt still moves correctly and dry fires, and the firing pin and extractor are intact. The bore is in good condition, showing clear rifling, but also a good amount of fouling and oxidation, particularly in the grooves.

The stock is in good condition with a very nice dark red brown color, showing that it saw much use while in service. It has the expected dents, chips, scratches, and small gouges commensurate with service. There is some cracking next to the butt plate, which looks to have seen oxidation and possible water exposure. There is also a crack on the left side by the rear of the receiver, a somewhat common place to see cracks due to stresses from firing. The stock does however have a lovely pattern of figuring on both sides of the butt stock, and the partially legible stock roundel still has the original wooden insert present, marked MA. Both sling swivels are present, and an original sling is still fitted to the gun, though it may be from the WWI era.

A very nice service used condition Antique French Gras Rifle with a lovely sling, ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle)-
Year of Manufacture: 1879
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

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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