Chassepot 1866
I've got a chassepot marked 1866 on the left of the receiver. The barrel is a smooth bore and has a shotgun bead front sight and no rear sight or signs thereof. Were these produced originally as such or is mine an alteration? The wood has been cut doen to sporterize it and there is no ramrod or bayonet studs.Thanks for any help!
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I don't know anything specifically about your converted Chassepot.
It was common though, in the second half of the 19th Century to convert obsolete military rifles to shotgun configuration as they were more readily sold on the commerical market that way.
The so called Zulu guns are a good example. The were originaly French muzzle loading rifles. The were converted to breech loaders, and after the French lost the Franco-Prussian war many were smooth bored and sold as utility shotguns.
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G'day Mate: Sounds to Me like you have a Cut Down Rifle...This Gun was originally made to shoot a Paper Cartridge and the Barrel was Rifled.........I suppose it could easilly be said that it was a FORAGERS Shot Gun and used by the best shot in the Company to ugment Camp Rations......Remington made some Rolling Block Rifles for that Purpose at the request of the Army...others were sent back to the Company Armorer and converted for that purpose also....
Funny that You should come across a Chasepot at the same time....I came across a Bayonet and Scabbard for a 66.....
Is there any arsenal Marks showing?.....Lithgow was'nt around till 1912...so I guess that rules out the hometown Boys.....Fairdinkum for sure Mate...! Be interesting to see a Photo....Anymore information you come across....Just mail it off to Me and I'll see what I can rustle up....Best from the Colonies......Captain Kirk
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
Thanks once again Mr R-Snow! It would seem that is it. I am led to believe that modern ammo shouldn't be used in them, is that correct? 0 -
Hey el Capiten! thanks for that info. Yes I'll get a photo of to you when I get it back from the smith, it needed an extractor and the bolt body repaired. I got it as an "unknown shotgun" for $20. No big deal but always helps the learning process to grab on unknown. Good to hear from you, hope you are well. plads
ps. i've got myself a rook martini cadet and 2 military martini cadets if you know anyone that wants one.0 -
Odd. I've an old family hand me down Chassepot Bayo and scabbard ( non- matching but really nice condition). Dad won't part with it and I guess I won't either, but what a piece it is! Wicked looking drop pointed thing! The Tulle inscription is really sharp and the date is 1867 as I recall...I don't have it here cause the old guy thinks I'll trade it for some thing more to my liking...maybe he has a point, I have NO self control in these matters. I would bet this is a trade shotgun too. likely about 16 gauge as most seem to have been made in that bore. Lite BP loads would be fun once you've had it checked out. Take care down there!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"When I was 14 I used to marvel at how ignorant my old man was...by the time I was 21 I was truelly amazed at how much the old bugger had learned in the intervening 7 years!" Samuel Clemens
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0
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