Navy musketoon mod 1884
This is
not a test weapon, the Mousqueton de Marine Mle 1884 cal 11mm 1874 does exist.
Manufactured in Chatellerault and St Etienne, known as Kropatschek "Français" (a
servile copy of the 1878 marine rifle manufactured in Austria), the Mle 1884
nevertheless presented improvements that were quite worthy of interest.
- first
order of 12,000 then 21,000 copies at the price of the time 60fr GOLD (double of
an 1874 GRAS) the Mle 1884 rifle will make its career in the Colonial Marine
infantry in Tonkin.
The only
downside to this well-preserved copy is the "psychedelic" cocking lever that is
twisted, not a "Guignol" (indeed not in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications)
Let me
explain: the original weapon has a straight lever like the 1874 rifle, here it
has been unconsciously bent, a great pity!!! And its particular ball has been
planed!!!!
*** One
of the main improvements is the manufacture of the barrel by "Schneider" and a
new steel tempering technique due to Captain Lespinasse and the two-ton Pilon
Farcot (for the breech box)
It is
difficult to judge a weapon from very small photographs, whether it is a modern
one like the 1884 or a 1766, without having it in hand.
There
are "Guignols" who know how to work and if this was a "test" (the serial number
on your rifle indicates otherwise) it is not a factory or regimental work.
In
ancient times as in modern times of the late 18th century, modification by the
troop or any individual is severely punished.
For
information if this weapon had undergone an official modification it would have
received another smaller number, I have the example in my personal collection of
a weapon from this period, and without altering the original punches.
@glt08
