Original French Gras Modèle 1874 M80 Gendarmerie Carbine by St. Etiénne with Brass Fittings Serial F 24477 - Dated 1877 Japanese Militaria the SECOND YEAR of manufacture

the SECOND YEAR of manufacture

Credited to the British marine artist Norman Wilkinson

as well as the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS mark from Birmingham

Overall it has a great look of a service used blade that is over 200 years in age

It has been lightly cleaned and polished to put it into its best light

Original French Gras Modèle 1874 M80 Gendarmerie Carbine by St. Etiénne with Brass Fittings Serial F 24477 - Dated 1877 Japanese Militaria the SECOND YEAR of manufactureOriginal item: Only One Available. The Fusil Gras Modle 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 fantastic example of the Fusil Gras