old mystery rifle, can you ID it?

Dauntae · April 22, 2021, 06:50 PM

This came home with a great uncle after WWII and has sat in my fathers basement ever since, Well needless to say it's quite dirty and needs some love and cleaning but here are some pics cobwebs and all, Hope someone can recognize it and help me figure out what this is and what it shoots, I however have NO intention of shooting it but would be cool to know.

tdrizzle · April 22, 2021, 07:16 PM

My guess?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusil_Gras_mle_1874

Check Forgotten Weapons to be sure.

Scorch · April 23, 2021, 07:16 PM

French Gras rifle, either in 11X59mm or 8mm Lebel. Used in the Franco-Prussian Wars and other late 19th Century wars. Replaced by the Lebel and Berthier rifles in the 1890s.

CP93 · April 23, 2021, 07:21 PM

My guess was going to be a Chassepot, so I guess I wasn't too far off.

Famas · May 12, 2021, 09:42 AM

This could be a Gras cadet training rifle.

FrankenMauser · May 12, 2021, 10:05 AM

That is not a Gras
It is a Berdan II.

If the receiver markings are in cyrillic and/or include a double-headed eagle, it was domestically produced in Russia. However, that rifle is early enough and has a low enough serial number that it may have been manufactured in the US by Colt and exported to Russia.

Jim Watson · May 12, 2021, 01:03 PM

Wow, you don't see many of those around here.

FrankenMauser · May 12, 2021, 09:47 PM

If made by Colt, it could be stamped (poorly and not with the usual care of Colt):
"MADE IN THE USA".

emcon5 · May 15, 2021, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenMauser

It is a Berdan II.

Yup. Way more info than you ever wanted to know here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ivCTSTkzU

April 22, 2021, 06:50 PM	#1
Dauntae Junior Member Join Date: April 22, 2021 Posts: 8	old mystery rifle, can you ID it? This came home with a great uncle after WWII and has sat in my fathers basement ever since, Well needless to say it's quite dirty and needs some love and cleaning but here are some pics cobwebs and all, Hope someone can recognize it and help me figure out what this is and what it shoots, I however have NO intention of shooting it but would be cool to know. Last edited by Dauntae; April 22, 2021 at 06:55 PM.

April 23, 2021, 07:16 PM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	French Gras rifle, either in 11X59mm or 8mm Lebel. Used in the Franco-Prussian Wars and other late 19th Century wars. Replaced by the Lebel and Berthier rifles in the 1890s. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 23, 2021, 07:21 PM	#4
CP93 Member Join Date: February 15, 2021 Posts: 22	My guess was going to be a Chassepot, so I guess I wasn't too far off. __________________ *Isn't it amazing how many people know exactly what everyone except themselves is doing wrong?*

May 12, 2021, 10:05 AM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	That is not a Gras It is a Berdan II. If the receiver markings are in cyrillic and/or include a double-headed eagle, it was domestically produced in Russia. However, that rifle is early enough and has a low enough serial number that it may have been manufactured in the US by Colt and exported to Russia. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

May 12, 2021, 09:47 PM	#8
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	If made by Colt, it could be stamped (poorly and not with the usual care of Colt): "MADE IN THE USA". __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

April 22, 2021, 07:16 PM	#2
tdrizzle Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2007 Location: St Paul Posts: 209	My guess? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusil_Gras_mle_1874 Check Forgotten Weapons to be sure.

May 12, 2021, 09:42 AM	#5
Famas Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: French, currently living in US Posts: 162	This could be a Gras cadet training rifle.

May 12, 2021, 01:03 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	Wow, you don't see many of those around here.