MAS Fusil modele 1866-74 M80 Gras

The Fusil modele 1866-74 M80 Gras was modification of a needle fire Fusil Mle 1866 Chassepôt black-powder single shot rifle. Gras rifle is named for its designer, Artillery Captain Basile Gras. By 1974 most Armies are already adopted centerfire metallic cartridge rifles. Americans and British did, and in 1871 Mauser made M1871 centerfire bolt action rifle for German Empire. French Army decided to modify common M1866 Chassepôt rifle to accept 11 x 59mm R centerfire metallic cartridge. Modification was easy to do so soon French Army had equivalent to the Mauser 1871 that was easy to make. About 400,000 Gras rifles had been manufactured. The Fusil modele 1866-74 M80 Gras was replaced by the Lebel rifle in 1886, the first rifle to use smokeless gunpowder.