Original French Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80 Infantry Rifle by Châtellerault with Bayonet & Scabbard – Dated 1876 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 very nice example of the Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80, complete with an original T-Back Bladed M1874 bayonet and scabbard. The receiver on the rifle is marked MANUFACTURE D’ARMES / Châtellerault over M80, and to the right is the model designation Mle 1874. The rifle has a clear issue date marking of C. 1876 stamped into the right barrel nocks form, for manufacture at the Imperial Arsenal of Châtellerault in 1876. 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 stock is in good condition with great color, though it appears to have been reconditioned at arsenal and refinished, which has made the markings faint. There are some chips and cracks in the fore stock, as well as staining near the metal components.

This rifle has mismatched serial numbers, another indication of arsenal reconditioning. Serial number B 12515 is present on the barrel and bayonet stand, while the bolt and stock are marked with different serial numbers. The metalwork overall shows light pitting throughout the barrel surface, with some on the receiver near the woodline as well. This has been ground out, but definitely shows that the rifle was not properly cared for during a long period of time. The bore on the other hand is in very good condition, with crisp lands and grooves with just few small areas of oxidation. This rifle saw long service, but the bore seems to indicate that it did not see much use during that time.

Included with this rifle a correct issue T-backed Blade Model 1874 “Gras” sword bayonet with steel scabbard. This bayonet is in good condition, with a bright blade with little corrosion, and all the correct issue markings. It does however have some bends in the blade on the last 6 inches, where the spine is thinner. The T-shaped back of the bayonet is marked M’re D’Armes de Chât’t F’bre 1881, indicating manufacture at the Châtellerault Arsenal in February 1881. The hilt is in good used condition, with some oxidation and light pitting on the steel components, and wear to the wooden grip. The scabbard is in good shape but also shows damage, with denting and bends on the last 7 inches or so near the tip. Due to the damage, the blade cannot be fully sheathed.

A very nice service used condition Antique French Gras Rifle, complete with original Gras Bayonet and Scabbard, ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-
Year of Manufacture: 1876
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

Specifications (Bayonet):-
Blade Length: 21 3/4″
Blade Style: Triangular Socket with Fullers
Overall length: 25″
Scabbard Length: 22″

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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