Videos tagged with French Military Rifle

This video segment from American Rifleman Television explores the French Tabatière rifle, a fascinating transitional firearm from the mid-19th century. It details how obsolete muzzleloading muskets, including those already converted to percussion, were modified into breechloaders to meet the demand for modern arms before the Chassepot rifle was widely available. The video highlights the historical significance of these conversions for collectors, comparing them to other transitional firearms like the trapdoor Springfield and Snider.

This video delves into the extremely rare Chassepot Model 1866 rifle specifically designed for African cavalry. It explains the modifications made to the standard Chassepot to accommodate a cavalryman's needs, such as reinforced stock and altered sling swivels for diagonal carry. The video highlights that only 12,000 of these were produced by St Etienne in 1869 and that very few survive today, often being rebuilt into standard infantry models. It also briefly mentions the broader 'Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866-2016' book.

This video delves into the FUSTAN MAS-36, a rare competition variant of the French MAS-36 rifle. Developed by MAS, this single-shot, .22 rimfire rifle featured an improved trigger and was built in 1947 for the Fédération des Unions et Sociétés de Tir d'Afrique du Nord (FUSTAN). The rifle was designed for formal competition, utilizing a tube in place of the bayonet for weight and balance adjustment, and featured a finely adjustable aperture sight. Notably, French junior shooting champions used this model in the early 1950s. The video highlights the rarity of surviving examples and showcases this particular rifle.

This video explores the three main variations of the Chassepot cavalry carbine, focusing on the markings that indicate their production period and manufacturer. While original paper-cartridge versions are rare, the video highlights examples that have been converted to metallic-cartridge Gras carbines. The discussion details how markings changed from 'Manufacture Imperiale' under the Second Empire to 'St Etienne' and finally 'Manufacture d'Armes' during the Third Republic, based on a recent importation of these historical firearms.

This video examines an experimental Gras-Vetterli repeating rifle from the late 19th century, a period when France explored numerous repeating rifle designs. The rifle features a Kropatschek style lifter and tube magazine, combined with a side loading gate similar to the Swiss Vetterli. While the bolt is of the Gras type, the receiver is newly manufactured and not a repurposed Gras receiver. The rifle is marked 'Henry,' hinting at a potential but uncertain connection to New Haven Arms or Winchester. External parts have been restored, but the internal mechanics remain unrestored, with a frozen loader. The exact function of a missing component on the receiver is unknown. The rifle is from the Galerie de Mars reference collection in Paris.

This video delves into the history and significance of the Peabody sidehammer rifle, a largely overlooked firearm designed by Henry Peabody. It details Peabody's background as a machinist and his work with the Spencer rifle company, leading to his patent for a dropping-block action. The description highlights the rifle's manufacturing by the Providence Tool Company and its surprising success with foreign military contracts, notably with Switzerland, Spain, and France, despite failing to gain U.S. military adoption. The video also briefly mentions the subsequent Peabody-Martini rifle and Henry Peabody's life and philanthropic legacy. It recommends Edward Hull's book "Peabody Firearms" for further details.

This video from Brownells takes viewers to Rock Island Auctions to showcase a rare French FAMAS rifle. Keith Ford and Paul Levy discuss the history and features of the FAMAS, which served as France's standard service rifle for decades. They highlight its distinctive bullpup design, lever-delayed blowback action, built-in bipod, and top-mounted charging handle. The video also touches on the scarcity and high cost of semi-automatic FAMAS variants imported into the US, often by Century Arms as the "MAS .223".

This video features a rare opportunity to shoot the Berthier Cuirassier carbine, a scarce variant of the Berthier rifle. The host is shown firing a few rounds at a steel plate target located 300 meters away. While the "feldgrau" silhouette target isn't visible on camera, the shooting experience with this historically significant firearm is the primary focus. The description also includes links to Patreon and merchandise.

This video offers a detailed book review of "The Modèle 1866 Chassepot" by Guy & Leonard A-R-West. The book comprehensively covers the development, mechanics, ammunition, production, markings, and historical impact of the Chassepot needle-fire rifle. It highlights the Chassepot's technological superiority over the Prussian Dreyse rifles during the Franco-Prussian War and mentions its later conversion to 11mm Mauser cartridges. The review notes the book's use of photographs and hand drawings for illustration, as well as firsthand soldier commentary, and provides purchasing information. The book is a 145-page softcover in color, published in the UK.

This video delves into the history and mechanics of the French FAMAS F1 rifle, one of the earliest bullpup designs adopted by a major military. It highlights the FAMAS's compact nature, making it ideal for vehicle crews, and its role in replacing older French firearms. The video also explains the FAMAS's unique delayed-blowback action, the F1's limitations with projectile weight and ammunition type, and contrasts it with the later G2 variant's improvements. Finally, it touches upon the scarcity and import of rare semi-automatic FAMAS rifles into the US.

This video review focuses on the French MAS 36 rifle, aiming to challenge the common perception of it being a "garbage" or overlooked firearm. The presenter highlights its potential and affordability, showcasing what the rifle is capable of. The video also thanks Ventura Munitions for their support.