Fusil Gras mle 1874
The Fusil Modèle 1874 or Gras was the French Army's primary service rifle from 1874 to 1886. Designed by Colonel Basile Gras, the Gras was a metallic cartridge adaptation of the single-shot, breech-loading, black powder Chassepot rifle. It was developed from 1872 to 1874 as a response to the German adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge rifle.
| Fusil Modèle 1874 or Fusil Gras | |
|---|---|
Fusil Gras M80 1874 | |
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1874–1940 1874–1886 (primary French service rifle) |
| Used by | France Other users |
| Wars | See conflicts |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1872–1874 |
| Manufacturer | Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne and Steyr |
| No. built | 2,500,000 |
| Variants | M80 M14 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (cavalry) 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (Artillery) |
| Length | 1,310 mm (52 in) 1,175 mm (46.3 in) (cavalry) 995 mm (39.2 in) (Artillery) |
| Barrel length | 795 mm (31.3 in) 680 mm (27 in) (cavalry) 490 mm (19 in) (Artillery) |
| Cartridge | 11×59mmR Gras 8×50mmR Lebel |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Muzzle velocity | 454 m/s (1,490 ft/s) 350 m/s (1,100 ft/s) (Cavalry) |
| Feed system | Single-shot M80: 10 round gravity hopper |
| Sights | Iron sights |
Modified in 1880 as the M80 with an improved breechblock and in 1914 as the M14 to accommodate the 8×50mmR Lebel smokeless powder cartridge, the Gras was replaced as the standard-issue service rifle by the Lebel in 1886.
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