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Winning Bid US $394 First bid $250 Quantity 1 # of bids 7 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-10-29 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS), Model: MLE 1866 Chassepot, marked with British proofs, Cal: 11mm Needle fire, MFG: 1870, S/N: K19682, Bolt action single shot needle fire rifle, 32 1/2'' barrel.

HISTORY: The Chassepot was the French answer to the Prussian Dreyse rifle that was causing devastating effects in Europe. Its famous for its use during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, where even though the French lost, it proved it was a far better rifle than the Dreyse. After the war Prussia noted that it was far more accurate by not using a paper sabot around the bullet like Dreyse, & had greater range due to better gas sealing. The French would even extend the sights on the Chassepot in later models because of its great range & accuracy compared to other rifles of its time. The Chassepot is known as one of the better if not the best needle-fire rifle made. The French would convert the Chassepot to a metallic cartridge gun in 1874 with Colonel Basile Gras system, & create the Gras rifle, which would go on to be used by the French clear until WW1. The French originally thought about making the Chassepot a metallic cartridge gun from the start. But with the complications of early cartridges, & logistic issues they decided on a paper cartridge. This rifle bears commercial British proof marks, indicating it made its way through Britan at some point in its life. After the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 many surplus Chassepots rifles would make their to the international firearm market. This rifle was likely sold after the Franko-Prussian war either by the French, or was captured & sold by the Germans, then was bought by a British dealer who had to have it proofed per British law. Then the rifle somehow made its way over here to the united states, a truly well traveled firearm.

CONDITION: The straight wrist walnut stock is very good with various nicks, dings, dents & scratches from use that have been smoothed over from handling over time. The stock is a replacement with the incorrect S/N (C 67181) in the left cheek. The right cheek of the stock has the French roundel acceptance cartouche with a box wood plug in the middle, it reads ''JUILLET F.C.1872 P'' with a ''M'' in the middle on the plug. There is a multitude of French cartouches on the belly, cheeks, & wrist of the stock. The metal has toned to a even mix of chocolate brown patina & dark patina with some gun metal gray visible around the stock line. The metal appears to have been refinished at a arsenal, the French receiver markings are thinned with even light roughness across it, the British proof is strong in contrast as well as all the markings on the barrel not looking buffed. The receiver band is marked with a British (Birmingham) & French proof. The right rear section of the receiver has a ''8'', ''7'' & another small faded marking. The left side of the receiver is marked ''MANUFACTURE IMPERIALE'' (pre Sep-1870 MFG) over ''ST ETIENNE'' (in French script), & ''MLE 1866''. The left chamber flats are marked with Commercial British proofs (Birmingham) with the bore measurement ''60'' the S/N, ''P*G'', ''B'' in circle, & ''D'' in circle. The top chamber flat is marked ''R'' under a ''C'' in oval proof, & four more small French proofs. The right chamber flats are marked ''S.1870'' (St. Etienne MFG 1870) &next to a small shield proof, ''MI'' (pre Sep 1870 MFG), & more French proofs. The buttplate is marked ''93'' & on the upper extension is two ore French proofs. The trigger guard & barrel bands have French proofs, the front band is marked ''R'' in circle. S/N matching bayonet lug. S/N mismatched bolt (FG 13320) all bolt parts match each other. The rubber obturator is dry & hardened, needle is intact & sticks out about 1/4'' from the bolt face in the fired position (DO NOT DRY FIRE, CAN DAMAGE NEEDLE & BREECH). The bore is very good. Its bright & shiny with strong rifling, but has some roughness in the grooves. The barrel holds a small barleycorn front sight with a stepped base/ladder wide V-notch rear sight & the updated added on ladder. Marked 2 to 4 on the base, 5 to 12 on the ladder. The stock carries a steel buttplate, toned brown with some light roughness. The rifle has both factory sling loops & the cleaning/clearing rod. The rifle comes with the correct Yatagan Sword bayonet, has a brass handle, minimal patina specking on blade, no chips in the edge, & is S/N mismatched to the rifle (X 45662). Mechanical function appears solid. Antique, No FFL Req. - Value: 500 to 1500

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Price

Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne (MAS), Model: MLE 1866 Cha... Item # 4498 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $394

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