Original French Modèle 1874 M80 Gras Rifle Shortened and Converted to 16 Gauge Shotgun in Liège, Belgium 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 particular example is quite interesting, as after its service life was over, it was converted to a 16 gauge shotgun in Liège, Belgium. It was fitted with a completely new barrel, the bolt converted and the receiver possibly modified, and the stock was cut down or “sporterized”. The sling swivels were retained, and it has been fitted with a relatively modern sling. The stock also shows a large number of repairs using wood pins, metal pins, and also glue. This is a gun that has really seen some things!

It looks to have seen very long service even prior to the shotgun conversion, which has made the original French markings extremely faint. The original maker marking on the receiver, as well as the manufacture marking and date, are completely gone. All that remains is a faint M.80 on the left side, indicating that it received the modification to have an improved breech block circa 1880. There is a serial number of 79 stamped on the front left of the receiver, repeated further down in another font, and there are still faded non-matching serial numbers on the bolt.

The bolt head is marked with the the “Perron” or Tower of Liège proof, which is also present on the left front receiver along with other Belgian proofs, and P.V, which may be a maker’s initials. The barrel is marked with an E / L G / * in a “Crowned” oval on the end of both barrels, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium after 1891, and there is another P.V marking, definitely a great opportunity for further research.

The bore of the shotgun is clear, but a bit dirty with grease and fouling. We do not see any major damage or oxidation. The action still cycles and dry fires, but we cannot guarantee it will feed any type of cartridge. the metalwork is well patinated overall. The stock, as mentioned before, shows extensive repair work. It does however show stock rondels on both sides of the butt stock, which could be investigated. 

A very interesting M1871 M80 Gras shotgun, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1874–1886
Caliber:  about .660″ – 16 Gauge
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 28 Inches
Overall Length: 47 1/2 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 favorite 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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