“La Française” mod. 1921.
It is a small popular rifle, manufactured with St Etienne if I am not mistaken, and who take again the aspect of Lebel in the reduced dimension.
In general in calibre 6 mm long, that is to say broader than 22 LR.
Jean-Benoit (France)
Here what I found, on Internet… Better greetings.
…the gymnastics or shooting clubs could be equipped with three types of weapons for the shooting at long distance (150-200 meters). Initially celebrates it Chassepot of the war French-Prussian, adoptee officially in 1866 and of calibre of 11 mm then, after 1874, Gras rifle, of 11 mm, and finally rifle 1886 modified 1893 of gauge 8 mm, said “Lebel” of the name of its inventor. This excellent weapon, from a reasonable weight (4,180 kg), with which the gunners obtained brilliances results, could draw to a dozen from shots per minute, which represented a considerable progress compared to the three or four shots of the GRAS.
For the pupils, a rifle " La Française " was proposed by the Union of the shooting clubs of France, creates in 1886, whose role was to organize national and school championships, to establish records and to prepare youth with obtaining the certificate of military efficiency. The weapon, of calibre 6 mm, was planned for the shooting with 10-12 meters but on request, the rifle could be chamber for the shooting with long range (150 to 200 meters); in this case it employed a long cartridge. The pupils of the school of Albepierre laid out, them, of a rifle GRAS system, model 1874 reduce, of a gauge also of 6 mm.
Roger (France)
