The Fusil Modèle 1874 or Gras was the French Army's primary service rifle from 1874 to 1886. Designed by Colonel Basile Gras, the Gras was a metallic cartridge adaptation of the single-shot, breech-loading, black powder Chassepot rifle. It was developed from 1872 to 1874 as a response to the German adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge rifle.
The gun would go on to be an overwhelming success, and was both exported to and copied by numerous countries into the 20th Century. The Hellenic Army of Greece adopted the Gras in 1877, and it was used in all conflicts until the Second World War. It became the favorite weapon of Greek guerrilla fighters, and was used in various revolts against the Ottoman Empire during WWI. The Gras also became the basis for the development of the Japanese Murata rifle, Japan's first locally-made service rifle. A version of the rifle was also copied by Vietnamese general Cao Van Th?ng. However, the Vietnamese version did not have a rifled barrel, and the range was limited.
While the French officially replaced the Gras in in 1886 with the adoption of the Lebel rifle, the 1874 continued to see active service in the French Army until the Great War; especially in colonial applications. In fact, many French postcards from the period depict poilu armed with Gras and Chassepots rather than Lebels, as the 1886 was required for service in the trenches.
This particular 1874 Gras is an unusual brass-mounted "Short Rifle". It is all complete and shows some of the typical bumps and bruises associated with a lifetime of heavy use.
It features a solid stock with a few areas of minor repair. The stock is very sound with no wrist cracks or other areas of damage that would impact its structural integrity.
The action of the bolt is positive with no major damage to the lugs or missing components.
The steel components of the rifle shows some "salt-and-pepper" pitting throughout.
The barrel is full length and the bore is dark but the rifling is visible.
The furniture is all original and in good in good condition.
