French Model 1866 Chassepot .58 Caliber Rifle

By Crusader1307

Name for French Inventor Antione Chassepot, his rifle was among the many breech-loading experimental rifles being mass produced throughout Europe. Roughly 6-feet long and weighing 10-pounds, The Chassepot Rifle fired the equivalent of the .58 caliber lead shot. It had an effective range of 1,200 yards. A single-shot bolt action weapon, when massed produced in 1866 – it is estimated that the rifle became so popular among The French Army (and it's numerous export Nations), that some 1 million were produced until 1874. During The Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) The Chassepot proved to a far superior weapon over The Dreyse Needle Gun. Better innovations and advancing technology would eventually replace The Chassepot (with many of the rifles ending up sold to Middle Eastern Nations).