The Rarest Chassepot: Rifle for the African Cavalry
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.














