Produced by the Tulle Arsenal in France in 1876. The Gras was adopted as an update to the outdated Model 1866 Chassepot rifle. The Gras was in service with the French military until the adoption of the 1886 Lebel rifle. The 1874 Gras was originally chambered for the 11x59mm Gras cartridge. This example like most underwent the 1880 update and is marked “M80” on the left side of the receiver. The M80 update was meant to add an additional level of safety incase of a case failure/rupture. A channel was cut on the inside of the receiver just outside of the chamber and the bolt face was redesigned to vent gas away from the users face in the event of a case rupture. This example also underwent a conversion to .22 caliber to be used as a training rifle for new military recruits. Roundel of the right side of the stock is still in excellent condition and reads “AVRIL 1872” indicating the stock was accepted for military use in April 1872. The wooden plug is still present in the middle of the roundel, this was a separate piece that helped to discourage theft as it could be removed. Rifle is dated “1872”.

This gun is signficant because it was the first metallic cartridge shoulder arm used by the French Military and developed by General Basile Gras. This gun represents the first wave of bolt action rifles used by various countries.

French Gras Mle 1874 M80 modification was first used in 1880.

"MANUFACTURE D'ARMES," "M80," "Tulle" |