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!
