Chassepot 1866
Description of the personalized Chassepot rifle
This
rifle has therefore either been transformed into a hunting weapon, or it may be
a master piece.
It has
retained its original caliber (11 mm with combustible cartridge) and its needle
firing. It is in the original length of an infantry rifle, i.e. 1.31 m.
The
modifications made are as follows.
Metal
parts:
- the
breech box, originally five-sided, has been milled into a round shape, and
engraved.
- the
barrel, also five-sided up to the rear sight (preserved from the original), has
also been reworked in a round shape; the bayonet lug has been removed.
- the
breech has been artistically reshaped and engraved; its breech lever has been
bent with a large radius (it is not a rifle lever, this one being bent at a
right angle).
- the
trigger guard has been recut and engraved.
- the
original straight butt plate has been replaced by a curved plate for better
shoulder fit; it is engraved on its back with an ostrich under a palm tree.
- the
trigger guard has been engraved.
- the
grenadier carrying the sling flap is engraved and held in place by a wood screw
on the right side.
- the
ramrod is not original.
The wood:
It would
seem that it was carved from an original unfinished stock. What allows me to
affirm this is the fact that the location of the trigger guard cannot originally
receive the cuts of the latter. Its general dimensions are those of the
original.
- the
buttplate has been curved.
- the
barrel is shortened, and finished with an engraved decorative plate.
- a
reshaping by reworking was carried out in the area of the breech.
- the
ramrod channel, originally located on the outside of the wood, was blocked by
joints then re-grooved to be along the barrel.
- a
shield has been added to the right side of the stock; it is certainly marked
with the initials of the owner, but unfortunately almost illegible.
The
markings:
- under
the butt plate: F and Y 23.
- under
the butt sling flap: Y 23 and 2.
- under
the trigger spring: 28.
- under
the trigger guard: F and 8.
- under
the shield: C with a star in a diamond.
Note that
the barrel curiously does not bear any proof mark, which is nevertheless
mandatory to use the weapon. This therefore leads me to assume the use of a
"blank" barrel, and therefore not intended for shooting, as part of a master
piece for exhibition (?).
Therefore, there is no way at first glance to define the maker.