The Rarest Chassepot: Rifle for the African Cavalry

"Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866-2016" is in stock and shipping now:
www.headstamppublishing.com/p...
The rarest pattern of factory-made Chassepot is the fusil modèle 1866 pour la cavalerie d'afrique - the Model 1866 rifle for African cavalry. Just 12,000 of these were made by St Etienne in the spring of 1869, as a way to equip the mounted French troops in Algeria with the new needlefire rifle that the rest of the Army had. After some field testing with standard Mle 1866 Chassepot rifles, it was determined that really all they needed was a change in sling position, so that riders could carry the weapon slung diagonally across the back. To do this, a number of changes were made to the rifle. The stock was strengthened, reinforced at the trigger guard, the rear sling swivel moved to the trigger guard, and a wider third barrel band added with the front sling swivel.
After the Mle 1866 cavalry carbine went into production in 1870, the need for these specialized rifles disappeared. No more were made, and as they were worn out they were rebuilt into standard configuration Mle 1866 infantry rifles. Very, very few survive today, and I'm and very excited to have this one to show you!
utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/
/ forgottenweapons
www.floatplane.com/channel/For...
Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.forgottenweapons.com
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle 36270
Tucson, AZ 85740

[@ForgottenWeapons]

My book "Chassepot to FAMAS" is restocked and shipping now: www.headstamppublishing.com/french-rifle-book

[@janwitts2688]

Infantry have a pack on their back so cannot cross carry

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

on todays episode of "guess what i found at RTI"

[@ForgottenWeapons]

@@ripvanwinkle2002 I bought this at auction in France, it wasn't from RTI.

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

@@ForgottenWeapons i didnt mean to insult i just was referring to your recent trip there.

[@User_Un_Friendly]

@@ForgottenWeapons So Ian, it is basically you and the Imperial War museum in the WHOLE WORLD who has these rifles? 😮😮😮Awesome, GG!

[@ADHDWOOHOO]

"If you're still here at this point, you are a tremendous French rifle nerd and I salute you" Ian, isn't it pretty much your fault that we've all become French rifle nerds?

[@ArReaper45]

Agreed

[@villesaarenketo2506]

Or just devout followers of Gun Jesus.

[@Joannes808]

Hey. I was once a very devout Mauser follower until the pro Frog longarms agenda started trickling though the algorithm. 1000 channel hours, one hardback book, and a Gras Cavalry Carbine Later...

[@ADHDWOOHOO]

@@Joannes808 where the HELL do you find the ammo?!

[@Joannes808]

@@ADHDWOOHOO It's a sexy glorified wall piece for the time being. I originally also wanted to get the 7.35 Carcano, until a close friend who owns a gunshop talked me towards the 6.5 because of how hard it is to find the ammo. He then proceeded to acquire 4 boxes of said 7.35 by mistake instead of the 6.5. I took them anyway because who knows, I may get the rifle for it one day.

[@rflameng]

Another consideration for the infantry was that they would all have backpacks. Whereas cavalry soldiers would carry their kit on their horses, making a diagonally slung rifle a possibility.

[@mikehipperson]

Ever thought of saddle holsters like the US cavalry?

[@mikepette4422]

@@mikehipperson no nobody ever has

[@brittakriep2938]

@@mikepette4422 Also german cavallry did lot of Tests, at the end in wwl german horsemen carried their carbine at the sling on Back.

[@alexsis1778]

@@mikehipperson The problem with the saddle holster is that if something ever happens to your horse you don't have a way to properly carry your gun. If you lose your horse or it gets shot out form under you, well your rifle is still on your back. Nobody but the US ever really decided it was a good idea. Its much faster to get it out and have it reliably at the ready from your back. The US use of the saddle holster is more of a continuation of settlers using them for their hunting rifle than a great military idea.

[@ninjaturkey100]

@@alexsis1778 What about the British cavalry of the First World War? Rifles were typically slung in a saddle holster, same as their swords... and they were probably the finest, most advanced cavalry in history before mechanisation came to the fore.

[@AllAboutSurvival]

The fact that very few of these rifles survive today makes it even more special to see one in such great condition.

[@alltat]

@@AKguru762 For something that's 150+ years old and has seen military service.... eh. Maybe not "great", but about what you might expect.

[@george2113]

Now what handgun will Ian use with this in a two gun match?

[@reliantncc1864]

​@@george2113I suppose to get as close as possible to the same time period, a Chamelot-Delvigne.

[@george2113]

@@reliantncc1864 by Jove, I can't fault your reasoning! Also I had not heard of this revolver before.

[@Fuerwahrhalunke]

"Very few" might be an overstatement. I see one online right now on eGun for 1500€. I bought mine two days ago for 1800€ and a friend of mine got his for 1750€ a couple of weeks ago. There is one up for sale every other week. Maybe it's just rare on the US market?

[@SafetyProMalta]

Finally a forgotten weapon..😂

[@bannedbycommieyoutube5time920]

To be fair, if all he did was forgotten weapons, we’d have a lot less content to enjoy😀

[@george2113]

@@bannedbycommieyoutube5time920 in this era it's challenging to be fair apparently.

For those wondering how large Algeria is - it's about the same size as Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Nevada and Nebraska combined.

[@andersjjensen]

Oh... so "fairly sizable".

[@george2113]

What a frightening thought

[@DaDudeb]

I love when Ian just randomly takes guns from somewhere to demonstrate something. In my mind you can approach him at a Starbucks, talk about the Luger and he will casually pull one out of nowhere. :D

[@overthinkingisbad]

"this is great i've wanted to meet you ian, i've always wondered what you think of the iws 2000!" he ponders for a moment then gestures over to a table "well its a interesting one..." fishes around in his pocket pulls it out putting down "you see this bit..."

[@beargillium2369]

You may be confusing him with Paul Harrell, man of unlimited pocket

[@partyrobbins4690]

​@@beargillium2369 He could be pocket carrying two full sized .357 and .44 revolvers with a 50 round box of ammunition for both and you wouldn't know until it was too late.😂

[@voiceofraisin3778]

@@Chiller11 Nah, last time he tried that he got mobbed by Mando fans. No more Bergmanns

[@colindegrow1475]

​@@beargillium2369 perfect reference 👌

[@panqueque445]

"Please excuse the condition of the rifle" My man this is a super rare, 150 year old rifle. Even having a corroded piece of crap would be amazing to see. This is way better than I expected to see, honestly.

[@zachfausett3693]

Everyone who watches Forgotten Weapons, by extension, is "a huge French rifle nerd"

[@robinblackmoor8732]

I think that has to be true. The Venn diagram is just a circle!

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Agree. 😉🇫🇷

[@george2113]

It's almost like they invented smokeless Powder

[@andrewwebb4919]

I'm fairly certain the converted rifles sold by the Kynoch Rifle Company of Birmingham (England) were made from these. I have one with the swivel on the trigger guard and the reinforcement on the wrist, serial number O 3545.

[@enricopaolocoronado2511]

The stories behind firearms like these make the firearms themselves even more interesting. With how worn this Chassepot is, I can only assume that it got a lot of use or had been lying around somewhere in the dirt for ages.

[@OttzelTV]

Ten bucks its from some warehouse in Ethiopia 😅

[@danschneider9921]

Fun fact- Ian actually owns three now, he has powers...

[@GCho733]

“Huge French Rifle Nerd” Is the best way for you to describe yourself, Gun Jesus.

[@TheArklyte]

What fascinates me is that rifles like Chasseport, Henry, Vetterli and so on were produced when militaries were still shooting at each other with smoothbore muzzleloaders. And the idea of Dreyse rifle that predated them by several decades is outright terrifying.

[@TacgnolSimulacrum]

Interesting that since the publication you've run into two of these. Reminds me of C&Rsenal's complaint about doing an episode and only having pictures for a specific variation of a gun and as soon as it publishes they get a half dozen people contacting them with one of them.

[@robinblackmoor8732]

I would watch Ian do a video about an French 1870 bread slicer all the way to the end.

[@amorphoussolid8512]

Beautiful forgotten weapon. I cannot say more. Thank you for this blessing, Gun Jesus.

[@jeromethiel4323]

Amazing how being a "subject matter expert" and published author opens doors. ^-^

[@GimpyChinaman]

Someday, i want to know what it feels like to be as hapoy as Ian with a rare french firearm.

[@saulthetaxidriver6100]

I didn't know i like weapons until i saw this gentleman in my recommendations

[@danheimmermann3497]

Recommend the book. It is indeed a magisterial study of French rifles

[@charleykeenan6171]

Very interesting. Back when minor, unit specific changes were still able to be done.. Bravo, great episode 👏

[@MrGarwest]

Hello Ian, Congratulations on obtaining such a very rare item indeed! We have covered the Fusil Modèle 1866 pour la Cavalerie d’Afrique in our book on the Chassepot in 2017. Furthermore, have range evaluated the Gendarmerie a Cheval and Carabine de Gandarmerie a pied Modèle 1866 (with its socket bayonet). Are there any markings on the butt plates of your latest acquisitions? Regards, Guy and Leonard A-R-West

[@cofro3284]

Wow Ian is super excited to do another French rifle and it shows

[@fademusic1980]

I haven't watched this video yet but I know Ian is very happy to have his hands on this one

[@Tornikessu]

I can just feel Ian's mustache twitching from this

[@seanmalloy7249]

Not a tremendous French rifle nerd, just fascinated by the ways that weapons get designed to fit various needs and tweaked from standard issue for specialty purposes.

[@darkally1235]

Big props to General Margueritte - he recognized that in order to get cavalry rifles in the near term they'd need to provide MAS with a short list of necessary, but relatively simple, modifications.

[@moredistractions]

Great video, Ian! You're correct about African cavalry being elite. The Chasseurs d'Afrique regiments in particular I think were considered to be the premier light cavalry of the French Army.

[@ryanbuckley3314]

Nobody's going to make the second hand French rifle joke? Classy viewers, Forgotten Weapons. Thanks for all of the videos.

[@Koernex.]

Thank you to Show this Chassepot Version . I have two of the Infantry Versions(one of them is an early One without Reciver markings), an love to Shoot with them.Great Rifels for his Time 🙂

[@kevinbaker6168]

Thank goodness for the RTI deal with buying the surplus rifles out of Africa. These antiques need to be preserved in museums and private collections so future generations can enjoy seeing them and having something that demonstrates the progression of firearms.

[@adamparris8353]

Currently reading Chassepot to Famas. It's awesome! 8)

[@sunnyglowvt]

Hello all fellow French Rifle nerds! Love the Chassepot to FAMAS book!

[@jeanzx6r616]

The "MANUFACTURE IMPÉRIALE St Étienne" engraved on the barrel ❤️ Thanks for sharing Ian :)

[@David77646]

As always in-depth informative and fascinating!!

[@brunol-p_g8800]

Manufacture impériale de St Étienne These words made my eyes bright as a spotlight. Extremely rare to put your hands on a firearm of the Second Empire.

[@user-kt2tw2dg9u]

Thank you Ian, for making these vids so interesting atb Brian-across the pond

[@rogerrms2180]

Every weapon you show me is interesting.Another great video.

[@merpius]

It seems like if they were eager to get the rifles and the gov didn't want to manufacture special ones, they could have simply switched to cavalry rifle scabbards; then the stresses on the rifle are far less and they are still easy (probably easier) to carry on horseback. The only downside is that your rifle isn't attached to you, so when you dismount you have to take the time to get it. But, it comes with the upside of being a better way to carry it when dismounted (ie; when dismounted it can be carried as an infantry rifle).

[@ralf7817]

I am by no means a French infantry rifle nerd but I enjoy your presentation and information.👍

[@janwacawik7432]

French rifle nerds unite! I for one am a sucker for Berthiers (Mle 1907/15 M16 my beloved), but a Chassepot is always a pleasant sight.

[@lairdcummings9092]

Not only forgotten, but completely unknown...

[@jensenwilliam5434]

Thank you for your videos

[@dcross6360]

Glad Ian found true love

[@martinh2783]

I have never been accused of being a French rifle nerd before.

[@therealchromify]

Hey Ian, have you ever considered taking a look at George Hoenig's rotary round action rifle? There has to be a owner willing to let you see it somewhere. They are the slickest double barrel rifles/shotguns I've ever seen.

[@SergeiMosin]

I wouldn't be surprised to find a small few of these still in private hands in various African countries as family heirlooms.

[@brittakriep2938]

Don' t think so, a firearm without ammunition is for poor people not usefull, may be there are some, which are transformed to fire other cartridges

[@TacgnolSimulacrum]

@@brittakriep2938 Given that we're still seeing STG44s show up in random African and middle east insurgencies, I'm sure there's probably some source of ammunition, either craft made locally or some ancient stock.

[@brittakriep2938]

@@TacgnolSimulacrum : To some degree you are right . In case of 8 (7, 92 ) x 33 reloading empty brass, or using obscure surplus is possible. Also a jugoslavian /serbian company Prvi Partizan has assumingly produced this cartridge after wwll, also it is possible to transform 8x 57 IS Brass, in german language culture circle still popular among hunters , is possible. I, german, Brittas boyfriend, am no weapons expert, but somewhere i read, that in Germany, either in Saxony or Thuringia, there is one day every year a , Dreyse Rifle Meeting' . The paper cartridges are handmade by members of Target Shooters Club. Also years ago, i read in a german language arms magazine, an article about an african craftsman, who has a licence for producing muzzleloaders. He spoke about Kunstdünger/ chemical fertilizers (?) and oil as substitute for Black Powder. Also, here in Germany still today, blanks in 6 mm Flobert, 9 mm R, and 9 mm PAK are licencefree to buy.

[@SergeiMosin]

@@brittakriep2938 It's not impossible that they converted it to a more readily available cartridge. Of course, there's always the chance that a cottage industry popped up to produce some form of cartridges for the old rifles. They might not be exactly like the proper French loads, but people tend to be smart enough to work around issues like that. Or there may just be some that were passed down through the family and kept as decorations that haven't been fired in decades.

[@brittakriep2938]

@@SergeiMosin : Both is possible. African craftsmen can do rather astonishing work. Sometimes shot out ( in german ausgeschlossene} rifle barrels had been drilled to transform a rifle into a shotgun. And here in Germany many noblemen still have swords, lances, armour and old firearms of their ancestors. ( But nowadays noblemen have problems to keep and repair their castles, so even nobles of high rank sometimes sell much old weapons to earn Money).

[@mikepette4422]

I wouldn't say I'm a french rifle nerd but I am a history nerd and gun nerd in general and even though I don't really think about French arms I do realize this rifles important place in the history of arms development and its place in the colonization of Africa.

[@danielparsons3995]

Good morning great day for a gun review 👍

[@PoeticTwist]

Not a French military rifle nerd. Just someone who likes the channel, and is interested in military firearms in general. And history.

[@Alan.livingston]

Old mate is in his happy place with this one.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian . 🐺Loupis Canis .

[@eliane2743]

Cavalry units in Northern Africa were elite indeed.

[@couteauxdecollection]

Hello from France !

[@sidekickbob7227]

I would bet quite a lot of money, that the reinforcement and rifles strap attachment are connected togheter.

[@alexissjc409]

New Chaz-pot rifle just dropped

[@RobertEdwinHouse.]

Bro, I'm distracted by how cool the book cover looks 😂

[@jon1801]

I am the proud owner of? The bayonet. Guess the rifle will be a long term wish.

[@LilPistachiofr]

He sounds so excited

[@squilliamfqncyson]

Happy thanksgiving 🎉

[@CobraDBlade]

So does this mean that we could be seeing a revision to "Chassepot to FAMAS" that includes pictures of this rifle?

[@somuchnope2]

That sounds like a nightmare to do lol

[@JonnyCrash]

Not going to lie, your French rifle videos have made me interested in picking up a MAS 36 or 49/56 if I can find one for a decent price. You'd think French rifles would be cheaper in the US.

[@KB-5.Feldartillerie-Regiment]

Great

[@wills2254]

Am I *specifically* a French rifle nerd? No. But I'm definitely a nerd so I'll be interested regardless of what it is

[@LD-Orbs]

Same. I'm just another nerd, but I like high-quality enthusiastic content. So I happily watched it out to the end. (I wished they had televised content like this in the old days.📺)

[@zedsdeadbaby]

Today, we are all tremendous French rifle nerds

[@PositionLight]

Rock the Chassepot

[@jeff7.629]

Next video is Ian using it in a two gun match.

[@BrettBaker-uk4te]

A reminder; Algeria wasn't a colony at the time, it was part of Metropolitan France. The colonies were the other areas in Africa France controlled.

[@lebesnec]

Right on time for Bastille day!

[@philippejacquescujodefortu2434]

14 of July is not the Bastille day : it's Federation feast anniversary day in french history

[@ThePerfectRed]

Me: OK, so yet another beaten up Chassepot. How interesting can this get? Ian: Brace yourselves lads because this is so super cool you won't beleive it!

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

You are as into this stuff, as I am into 1500/1600 artillery.

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

You always teach me stuff I don't know about the transition from needle guns to brass ammo.

[@tendymusic9095]

FRENCH RIFLES RETURN

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Seemed appropriate for quatorze juillet. :)

[@juliensansiro1159]

🎉🇨🇵

[@natquesenberry6368]

Vive la France!

[@patrickbethel855]

History nerd and firearms occupy a large part of recent history.

[@ianray8823]

Ohhh yeah obscure French rifle? Ian is in his element, French Fridays lets gooo

[@normanmccollum6082]

Excuse me? I am NOT a 'French rifle nerd.' I am an equal-opportunist firearm nerd, thank you very much... I've spent too damn much time as a Canadian (unfortunately my whole damn life) to retain any sort of positive outlook on Frenchiness. Far too much tendency towards elitism and linguistic authoritarianism. France has an incredible history of firearm/ammunition technological advances like the flintlock action and Minie Ball and smokeless powder and that clunky but cool 1917 semi-auto of WWI that seemingly may have given some direct inspiration for the M1 Garand. But yeah, nah, once upon a time I wanted to be fluent in French because of my Canadian pride. RIP, October 2019.

[@molochi]

I'm not a French rifle nerd, I'm more of a 10mmAuto/Cramamagnumintoaservicepistolround nerd. I do appreciate your interest and enthusiasm in the French stuff tho.

[@StahortheDark]

Can repeatedly rebuild Gras can be identified as one-time African cavalry rifle by unique prefix on serial number?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Yes.

[@mike_dodane]

I'm kind of surprised they didn't turn down the bolt handle. I know this is usually done so it will fit into a sheath but if it is bouncing around on your back that couldn't feel good.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

It was considered, but rejected. Probably because there was no standard bent bolt at that point and they didn't want to take the time needed to develop one with its tooling.

[@HircineDaWolf]

im surprised the ethiopians didn't lol if that's where this game from im guessing

[@User_Un_Friendly]

Someone has to say it...were these the rifles used to defend fort Zinderneuf? (yes, I'm referencing Beau Geste. no, I'm not proud of myself. 😢 )

[@NickfromNLondon]

Quatorze Juillet. I noted some units still parade with Famas 2023.

[@benmelich8220]

I was hoping you were going to cycle the bolt on that rifle!

[@boden8138]

🫡 well done

[@carsoncasmirri3874]

It is sad that people don’t hear as much of some of the more elite colonial forces throughout the various empires. People forget that the point of colonial forces was because “why spend the time money and resources sending our army to the colonies if we can use our colony’s citizenry who are already there and have a supremely good knowledge of local terrain, flora, fauna, and culture

[@someguy2741]

I am disappointed that Ian didnt send Ian a signed collector copy of the book... he only has the peasant version :(

[@HootOwl513]

It's all a clever ploy to avoid being profiled as an Aristo, thereby avoiding the Committee for Public Safety and the Guillotine...

[@MCHEVA84]

I like how he says "It's a great rifle", like mario.

[@stumpythedwarf8712]

French Rifle Nerd? No. Gun Jesus Nerd? For certain. Thank you Ian, extra cool video today.

[@gaetan4164]

Happy Bastille day !

[@Salieri47]

Not a French Rifle Nerd, but thanks anyways for the vid!

[@orphanlush]

Joyeuse fête nationale.

[@cbroz7492]

..somewhere in France a dude is missing one of his tomato stakes

[@AlexandruNicolin]

What would Ian post for Bastille Day?

[@aceroadholder2185]

When I'm at a party and the conversation drifts around to French African Calvery rifles, I'll now be able to join in and not look foolish!

[@sashimanu]

I was hoping for another “get entered to win” thing on this video 🙃

[@ashkaplan7548]

Calvary rifles are super interesting. Do you know anything about the "Persian" Mauser sold to Iran? I have one in a cabinet that could use some work. Not sure if they're particularly rare.

[@mikemcintosh9933]

Interesting to think how close in history rifles of this sophistication were to the muzzle loaders used in the American civil war.

[@markfergerson2145]

I am fairly certain that the Chassepots didn’t have as many variants as the SMLE but is it even close?

[@jameslethbridge9082]

Great videos! Really like your style. I’ve had an 1866-74 M80 missing parts in my gun cabinet for 50 years! I got barrel bands from France recently, but I can’t manipulate the front band over the sight and bayonet tangs at all! It sure looks right but just won’t go! HELP!

[@trooperdgb9722]

No..just a general GUN nerd.... who happens to find your particular style of presentation engaging and interesting! I'm curious..given the effort made to reposition the sling swivels, strengthen the stock etc...that they did NOT shorten that immensly long barrel!

[@aaronwilkinson8963]

The wood worm seems to like that rifle more than you