Original French MLE 1866-74 Gras Infantry Converted Rifle Made in 1868 - Matching Serial G 5779 Cannons & Mortars What makes this special however

What makes this special however is the old museum or collector attached to the central cord grip of white metal engraved:

FRANCOTTE / A LIÈGE indicating manufacture by the famous Belgian gunmaker Auguste Francotte

Collar tab

The Swiss Vetterli rifles combined the American Winchester Model 1866's tubular magazine with a regular bolt featuring for the first time two opposed rear locking lugs

dark reddish brown

Original French MLE 1866-74 Gras Infantry Converted Rifle Made in 1868 - Matching Serial G 5779 Cannons & Mortars What makes this special howeverOriginal Item: Only One Available. The Fusil Gras Modle 1874 was a French service rifle of the 19th century. The first Gras rifles used by the French Army were a conversion to center fire of the Chassepot breech loading rifle by Colonel Basile Gras. This example was originally a needle fire Chassepot, the French ignition system introduced in 1866. It was a single shot bolt action rifle and was among the best of its kind at the type, being superior to