chassepot rifle
weapon
Also known as: Fusil d’Infanterie Modèle 1866
Quick Summary
The Chassepot was a bolt-action rifle that fired a paper cartridge. It was developed by French inventor Antoine A. Chassepot and first used in 1869. The Chassepot was notable for its effectiveness, particularly during the Franco-German War of 1870–71, where French soldiers using it achieved devastating results against Prussian forces. This rifle represented a significant advancement in small arms technology, contributing to changes in military tactics and the decline of close-order formations.12
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