Original French Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80 Infantry Rifle by St. Étienne Dated 1884 – Serial FJ 35885 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 M80, still clearly marked on the receiver with MANUFACTURE D’ARMES / St. Étienne over M.80, and to the right is the model designation Mle 1874. The rifle has an issue date marking of S. 1881 stamped into the right barrel nocks form, for manufacture at the Imperial Arsenal at  St. Étienne in 1881. The “M.80” marking is for the update to the action that added a channel for gas escape to the bolt head and receiver, in the case of a ruptured primer. It comes with all original steel mounts and an intact cleaning rod. Most fittings bear the correct government proof marks, though some are worn. 

This rifle has mostly matching serial numbers, with FJ 35885 on the barrel, all components of the bolt, the left butt stock (faint), and even on the bayonet stand. only the cleaning rod is non-matching, probably swapped at arsenal long ago.

The metalwork is in very good condition, showing strong bluing on most of the receiver and barrel, with some wear on the barrel bands and other fittings. The bolt is still bright steel, though it does have some past oxidation on the bolt head. The bolt still moves correctly and dry fires, though it can be a bit stiff. It still has an intact firing pin and extractor on the bolt head. The bore is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is a bit of oxidation near the muzzle from exposure to the elements.

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, but no large chunks missing or structural issues. Both sling swivels are present and move well, and the cleaning rod can be easily removed from the stock.

A lovely Antique French Gras Rifle, ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle)-
Year of Manufacture: 1884
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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