M1866/74 Gras Artillery Muskatoon

[racerguy00]

Royal Tiger has a checkered reputation but for the price I took a chance to get a French carbine that I never have seen in person and with a unique history behind it.

A number of Gras rifles appear to have been sent to Ethiopia by way of Belgium and France directly from the 1890s up through as late as the 1930s by some sources. The muskatoon I got probably was an early arrival. Rear sight missing like a lot have been said to be, and the bore is very crusty. The metal has been worn/polished nearly smooth. The stock is solid though, and mechanically everything works well.

Tulle manufacture, this was originally a Chassepot needle rifle converted to brass cartridge use. It has an 1880 upgrade to vent gas from a ruptured case. Being a Chassepot it was made between 1866 and the early 1870s, the date isnt visible anymore. Rope hole for a sling in the forearm along with a wood filler repair where there used to be a band spring. This shows the stock had been shortened to fit this gun. Bolt matches itself and the barrel. There are Ethiopian letters stamped on the barrel, still looking for a translation.

All and all even with issues and wear (character) I'm glad I ordered one. This thing was probably carried for 60 years or more , lots of history with it. And as a size comparison its shown with a Chassepot bayonet which fits. This gun is about the same size as an m38 Mosin carbine.

[Junk Yard Dog]

These old ones are always cool, lot of history there. Good find