1866 French Chassepot Rifle

[ambergrifleman]

Well, After 4 years of owning this Rifle, I been getting all the componets gathered up to make the paper cartridges to bring it back to Life. I made 10 cartridges, I fired 5 of them !! It was Sure Fun. It may well have been 120 years since this Rifle has been Fired. Chassepot Rifles were all withdrawn from service in 1880, Most of them Earlier than that, Gras Rifles, Entered Service in 1874. Lots of Chassepots were Converted to the Gras Cartridge. If any other Chassepot Shooters on Here, Post your Thoughts. :castmine::lovebooli

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

How fun! I am at the stage where older rifles are more entertaining to work with.

Rich

[primersp]

if you need rubber gasquet for the chassepot ,glue 2 plumber gasquet of 18 m/m with an hole in the midle ,the dia of the hole is 8 m/m

[leadman]

We need some pictures!!

I too find the old rifles very interesting. Think of the history surrounding these rifles, some of the first cartridge arms.

[MtGun44]

Is this the needle gun? If so, how do you put the primer in place,and what is
the primer?

Bill

[ambergrifleman]

I Hope to put some pics sometime this week.

[ambergrifleman]

Yes, It is a Needle Fire Rifle. I use CCI # 300 Musket Caps glued to a 12 mm Diameter over powder wad. These Caps have the Wings on them.! I will starting to make my own soon, I think a .462 Diameter 45 caliber wad will work too. I bought all the stuff to start with out of Europe.

[ambergrifleman]

Here is a Few Pics !http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_15044dfa1d3085acd.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1193)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_15044dfa1d9ad8ba3.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1194)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_15044dfa1decba237.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1195)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_15044dfa1e51a4c9c.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1196)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_15044dfa1ea413e85.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1197)http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_15044dfa1eff4161b.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1198)

[MtGun44]

So does the musket cap/primer go down the barrel? I assume it must.

How durable is the rubber seal?
Bill

[ambergrifleman]

Yes, All the Cartridge gets swept down the Barrel. As Far as the Seal, I have only Fired 5 Rounds in Mine, But have seen Posts from Europe, With as many as 200 Rounds on the Seal. Will have to See how Long Mine will Last.

[Donor8x56r]

I'm looking for Chassepot since excellent experience with Gras.

Unfortunately finding one up in Canada in decent and safe to shoot shape seems impossible.

I'm not giving up,one day I'll get my dirty hands on one :)

[ambergrifleman]

Donor8x56r, Since the Chassepot would be a Antique, You should be able to get one off from One of the Gun Auction Sites and have it Shipped to You. Can in the U.S.A