Yesterday's Weapons Forums

I bought a Chassepot at an auction and would like to get help with some of the markings. Please tell me if you see the same, more or less than I do:

1. The serial number U32118, matches everywhere: 2 on the bolt, one on the barrel, one on the bayonet lug (channel), as well as the stock.
2. Although it says Cahen & Lyon, it was one of the rifles made in Brescia. This is suggested by both the word Brescia and the letter U in the serial number.
3. The rifle started life in 1867 and was converted to metallic cartridge in 1873 at ????? d'armes.
4. There are three proof marks I don't recognize: a 3-pointed crown over s, within an oval; the letter M, in an oval; and the letter E with a rounded crown above it.
5. Two stock cartouches, one barely visible. It is a small one with a larger one below it. The larger cartouche has MA inside a circle and 1873 along the edge of the same circle. I'm assuming the smaller cartouche is from 1867 and the larger one from the conversion done in 1873.

Some pictures below. If you'd like to see more, let me know and I'll open up my photobucket. Thanks!

Nice rifle! I'm by no means an expert,but I'd guess that the marking is
an abbreviated Manufacture des Armes Chatellerault? there sure wouldn't
be room for the whole thing written out!-TR

_________________

Rome fell because it had a Senate-what will become of us with both a Senate and a House-Will Rogers

I sent this link to a friend of mine in France who might know the answer
Patrick

Dang dude!

You have got the bug BAD and thats a nice rifle!! Congrates!!

Just for that a little more water will flow down to ya!! No charge!

_________________
Mark

Resident of the Northern Republic of Free California

"People should not be afraid of their Government, the Government should be afraid of the people." - V

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote" - Ben Franklin

Thanks Gents. This is the MOST helpful group of people on any forum. Y'all rock.

Mark - yes, but i'm having fun!

thats a nice one , great having the matching numbers

Fun and learning thats what I get the most of out of this addiction I mean hobby. I enjoy shooting some of them also but some my yell at me but I think I have about 2/3's of my firearms that I have yet to shoot and may not get to but thats fine with me.

I enjoy just looking at them also!

_________________
Mark

Resident of the Northern Republic of Free California

"People should not be afraid of their Government, the Government should be afraid of the people." - V

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote" - Ben Franklin

Here are a few pics from under the barrel. Notice the slash marks in the metal of the barrel and matching marks in the wood stock. ??

From my friend kelt,

The designer of the Model 1866 rifle the Controller Chassepot had signed a contract with a civilian firm Cahen & Lyon Cie for exclusive rights for the fabrication of the Chassepot rifles outside of the Army arsenals.

The military arsenals could not fullfil the fabrication of the 400.000 rifles in the required 12 month period, Cahen & Lyon Cie was tasked with supplying 100.000 rifles and they subcontacted to various european weapon factories.

The rifles built under the Cahen & Lyon contract bear the prefix letters U and V, they were made in UK at Birmingham, In Italy at Brescia, in belgium at Liege, in Austria at Vienna and in Spain at Placienta.

wow , those rifles are pretty much from all countries , look at all the variations one could collect

Interesting that your bayonet is a socket. I just bought a French 1866 sword bayonet that is supposed to fit it. The sword bayonet is half the length of the rifle.