Original French Fusil Gras Modèle 1874 M80 Infantry Rifle by St. Etiénne Arsenal Serial P 97902 with Bayonet and Scabbard - Dated 1879

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 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. 1879 stamped into the right barrel nocks form, for manufacture at the Imperial Arsenal of St. Étienne in 1875. 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, and we have confirmed the receiver was modified. It comes with all original steel mounts and correct cleaning rod. Most fittings bear the correct government proof marks, though some are worn. It also looks to at some point have been gold painted or maybe brass plated? It shows a golden hue in many areas, now partially worn away, and the bayonet is the same way.

This rifle has mismatched serial numbers, which would indicate that it did have parts swapped at arsenal, a very common occurrence once the Gras was obsolete. It is marked with serial number P 97902 on the barrel and bayonet stand, while the bolt components and stock (faint) are marked with different serial numbers. The metal finish shows past oxidation and wear in areas, with the previously mentioned gold coating present in many areas, which is not really like anything we have seen before. The rifle cycles and dry fires correctly, with just a bit of stiffness, and the rear sight is intact and functional as well. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with clear lands and grooves, which still have sharp edges. There is just a bit of oxidation right by the muzzle.

The stock is in very good condition with great color, and definitely looks to have been arsenal reconditioned and/or refinished, which has made the original markings quite faint. There is some light denting that occurred after that, but it still looks great, and we can still faintly see the MA on the "Holy Water Plug" boxwood insert on the right side of the stock. sling swivels are present, however they are completely frozen, either from oxidation or more likely from the gold coating.

Included with this rifle a correct issue T-backed Blade Model 1874 "Gras" sword bayonet with steel scabbard. This bayonet is in very good good condition, and like the rifle had some type of gold coating applied at some point, which has now worn away from much of the scabbard and handle, but is very well retained on the blade. The T-shaped back of the bayonet has some faded markings, that we were not able to make out, except for an 1877 date. The hilt is in very good used condition, with some oxidation staining on the steel components, and light wear to the wooden grip. The scabbard is in very good condition and easily fits over the blade, and shows no major dents. The bayonet locks easily onto the front of the rifle, and is easily removed by pressing in the button.

A very nice condition Antique French Gras Rifle, complete with original Gras Bayonet and Scabbard. Ready to display!

Specifications (Rifle):-
Year of Manufacture: 1879
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: 20 1/2"
Blade Style: T-shaped
Overall length: 25 3/8"
Crossguard: 4”
Scabbard Length: 21 1/8"

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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