Fusil Gras mle 1874

Fusil Modèle 1874 or Fusil Gras
Fusil Gras M80 1874
TypeBolt-action rifle
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1874–1941
1874–1886 (primary French service rifle)
Used byFrance
Other users
WarsSee conflicts
Production history
Designed1872–1874
ManufacturerManufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne and Steyr
No. built2,500,000
VariantsM80
M14
Specifications
Mass4.2 kg (9.3 lb)
3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (cavalry)
3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (Artillery)
Length1,310 mm (52 in)
1,175 mm (46.3 in) (cavalry)
995 mm (39.2 in) (Artillery)
Barrel length795 mm (31.3 in)
680 mm (27 in) (cavalry)
490 mm (19 in) (Artillery)

Cartridge11×59mmR Gras[1]
8×50mmR Lebel
ActionBolt action
Muzzle velocity454 m/s (1,490 ft/s)
350 m/s (1,100 ft/s) (Cavalry)
Feed systemSingle-shot
M80: 10 round gravity hopper
SightsIron sights
Mle. 1874 Gras Rifle Mfg in 1877 at St. Etienne Arsenal
samples of the Greek M1939 bayonet

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.

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.

  1. ^ "11x59 French Gras Cartridge - Load Data". Archived from the original on 2008-06-01. Retrieved 2009-12-15.

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