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The Chassepot breech-loader

The Chassepot breech-loader is in principle the same as the Prussian needle-gun, but is certainly an improvement both in the action and barrel. The trials of breech-loaders had been diligently carried on in France since the year 1857. But there, as almost everywhere else in Europe, great doubts were entertained as to the utility of such a weapon in actual war, and this feeling had hindered any great advance being made towards their adoption. After the Danish war in 1864, the question was taken up in a more determined manner; and after the Prussian successes of 1866, the War Ministry decided at once to adopt a model which had been proved to be the best, and to order large quantities of breech-loaders to be made on the Chassepot system. The Imperial decree which sanctioned this measure is dated the 30th of August 1866.

But the making of a sufficient number of Chassepots for the whole French army would manifestly require much time, for the machinery necessary to turn them out had yet to be constructed. Meanwhile complications with Prussia might arise, and the French army, destitute of breech-loaders, would combat with the Prussian at a great disadvantage. To remedy this to some extent, it was resolved to convert at once the large-calibre muzzle-loading Minie rifles with which the French troops were armed into breechloaders, and to effect this change the Snider system was adopted early in 1867. These converted rifles were usually called in France " fusils a tabatiere," owing to the manner in which the breech was closed. At the same time it was determined to construct a considerable number of the so-called mitrailleuses or machine-guns-a revolving firearm which was to operate with the infantry, and supply any lack which there might still be in rapidity of fire.

With a view to rearming the infantry, orders for Chassepot rifles were given in and after 1866, not only in France itself, but also in foreign countries. In 1868 the making of these rifles was brought to such a pitch, that the French gun manufactories of St Etienne, Tulle, Chatellerault, and Mutzig could together turn out daily 1600 Chassepots, besides 500 rifles d tabatidre. As long as Marshal Niel lived, the manufacture of arms was carried on very diligently; but after General Leboeuf became Minister of War in 1869, this activity was for reasons of economy much diminished. In the beginning very different opinions were held of the value of the Chassepot rifle, and even among the French officers there were many who condemned it; but after 1869 it was universally allowed to be a most perfect arm, and regarded as a weapon decidedly superior to the Prussian needlegun. It was originally intended to give to the Rifles the large-calibre tabati&re rifle; but this design was soon abandoned, and they too received the Chassepot, so that their armament and that of the line infantry were now uniform.

The piece is cocked by the thumb as is the needle-gun ; and the bolt then turned one-quarter of a circle to the left, and drawn back : the cartridge is put in and pushed home by the bolt, whose face is furnished with an indiarubber washer to prevent the escape of gas. This bolt is turned one-quarter of a circle to the right, and the piece is then ready for firing. The cartridge is ignited by a cap at the base; the needle enters the cap, which is so placed that the opening is towards the breech; thus the needle strikes the inside of the cap instead of the outside. The Chassepot barrel is .434 calibre, made of steel, and takes a charge of 85 grains, and a solid conical bullet of 380 grains. The bullet for the Chassepot is larger than the bore of the barrel, is driven through it, and thus fills up the grooves, preventing windage. This causes great friction, and the barrel also leads very quickly; the bullet leaves the barrel nearly square, which is a bad form for any projectile, although it was claimed that the rifle had an extreme range of 1,800 yards. The rifling is four deep grooves, with one turn to the left in each 2 inches. The cartridge was self-consuming and the breech-action fouled quickly; there was found to be much difficulty in loading in consequence, and not a few accidents resulted. Subsequently the rifle was converted to take a metallic gas-tight cartridge-case.

The needle is lighter and smaller than in the Prussian gun, and, above all, the cartridge contains its fulminate at the base of the powder, instead of at the base of the bullet. A vacuum left when the gun is charged, between the base of the cartridge and the front of the plunger, is intended to effect the combustion and removal of any portion of the cartridge-case that may remain after firing. As compared with the Prussian gun, this weapon possesses, besides the specific improvements mentioned, other advantages of superior manufacture and finish. Its cartridge, besides admitting the altogether different principle of firing, contains a larger charge of powder than the Prussian cartridge, with a smaller bullet, which leaves a manifest advantage in carrying to the French weapon; and the fact that the Prussian bullet is purposely made so small as not to touch the barrel in its passage, while the French bullet is of the ordinary size to fit the rifle-barrel, would point to the conclusion that the Prussian marksman is at a disadvantage over the Frenchman in respect to his .arm. The number of times of firing per minute is about the same in both c:iscs. Tho cost of the French weapon considerably exceeds that of the Prussian, and the Chassepot is, in addition, a more difficult gun to make.

As eleven rounds per minute can be fired with the Chassepot, the French officers were much troubled by the fear that their soldiers, possessing an excitable temperament, would very soon expend their ammunition, unless they were provided with a large number of cartridges. This anxiety was, in truth, by no means unfounded. To every man, therefore, ninety cartridges in ten packets were now given; and, in addition, small two-wheeled double-draught ammunitioncarts were introduced, which were to follow closely one or two battalions. One such cart carried about 11,000 Chassepot cartridges in ten cases, which stood upright side by side, and each of which could be easily taken out. Further, it was sought to lessen the tendency to a too rapid firing by instruction in target-practice; but here, in practice, many of the higher officers deviated grently from the principles which in theory they acknowledged to be good and correct.