|
 |
 |
The French Needle Rifle was France's answer to Prussia's Dreyse Needle Rifle. This breech loading rifle was designed by Antoine Alphonse Chassepot, a foreman at a French artillery arsenal, and introduced into the French Army as Fusil Mod 66. By 1873, France had the Chassepot converted for a metallic cartridge. Many of these conversions were carried out under the British Kynoch Patent at Anston, England. In 1874, France adopted the Gras conversion, Chatelleraut and Saint-Etienne being the main centres of work. This particular rifle was converted at Saint-Etienne, hence the name engraved on the receiver. The introduction of the Gras cartridge was an important step forward, the primer being located in the centre of the base of the cartridge, which meant that the needle no longer had to pass through the whole powder charge and was not therefore exposed to the damaging effects of burning gas. The rubber obturator pad was part of the original Model 1866 Chassepot firing the paper cartridge. The production of this was complicated and not entirely successful, as the heat produced by firing caused the rubber to become brittle and eventually disintegrate.
Weapon No 38
Rifle 11 mm Chassepot M66
 |
 |
An original Chassepot, but has been subjected to modifications in 1870 and 1877. It was used by French colonial forces, this being borne out by the Arabic symbols on the receiver and barrel.
Weapon No 39
Dreyse Needle Gun 15 mm Model (1862)
 |
 |
The invention of a German engineer named Johann Nikolaus Dreyse, who started his work in 1827 at his workshop in Sommerda near Erfurt. His first experimental models were smooth bore muzzle loaders. His first breech loader, rifled barrel, with an improved breech mechanism, was constructed in 1835 and after thorough testing was adopted by the Prussian Army as a standard weapon in 1840. All subsequent successful breech loading systems were based on this design; but for it, even the Mauser Rifle could not have been developed. In fact the loading mechanisms of repeating rifles (as well as all other improvements on the breech loader up to and including its present form) can all be traced back to the Model 1841 Needle Rifle. This 1862 model varies from the Model 1841 by having different sights and a shorter barrel.
The Needle Fire Rifle first made its appearance in street fighting in Dresden during the revolt of May 1849. The Dreyse Rifle played an important role in the war with Denmark in 1864 and particularly in the Prussian Campaign against Austria two years later. The employment of the Needle Fire Rifle radically changed military tactics in the 19th Century. The cartridge used with this rifle consisted of the paper case, the bullet, the priming cap and the powder charge. The bullet was shaped like an acorn, with the broader end forming a point. It was glued in a paper case known as a 'Sabot'. Between this inner lining and the outer case was the black powder charge. The upper end of the paper case was rolled up and bounded together before the needle could strike the primer which was attached to the base of the bullet; its point then passed through the powder and hit the primer ahead. The theory of this placement of the primer would give more complete combustion of the charge.
Weapon No 40
Rifle 11 mm Gewehr 71 (Mauser)
 |
 |
Manufactured in Danzig in 1875, this was the most important of numerous single shot bolt actions introduced in 1870-71. Germany officially adopted it as the Gewehr in 1871. This is the design of Peter Paul Mauser, a German design genius from Oberdorf and while based on the Dreyse action, was truly basic and one of the first successful metallic cartridge, bolt action rifles.
Almost every good original feature of the metallic cartridge, turning bolt action design, was the work of Peter Paul Mauser. He systematically developed his basic design. See also Weapon No 43.
Weapon No 41
Rifle 11 mm Chatelleraut M1784/80 (Gras)
 |
 |
The first French service rifle using a metallic cartridge, evolved from the Chassepot Needle. It was also produced in carbine form. This was also used by French Colonial Forces. See also Weapon No 42
Weapon No 42
Rifle 11 mm Gras (1877)
 |
 |
The same as Weapon No 41.
Weapon No 43
Rifle Mauser 11 mm Model 1871
 |
 |
A Mauser, single shot, turn bolt rifle. It was made by Steyr in Austria in 1875. It is approximately 5 inches shorter than the same model made in Danzig in the same year (Weapon No 40). These rifles were used in China in the Boxer Rebellion and also by German African Colonial Troops during World War 1. See also Weapon No 47.
Weapon No 425
Winchester Rifle (Modified for .22 inch)
 |
 |
This rifle, dated 1879, was John Moses Browning's first patent for a single shot breech loader. He constructed it in his father's workshop while still a boy.
Weapon No 451
Rifle Remington 1864
 |
An example of an early Remington rolling block action rifle designed in 1864. This popular design was adopted by Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Greece and Egypt.