French Model 1866/74 Chassepot / Gras Conversion 11x59mmR (AL3621)

French Model 1866/74 Chassepot / Gras Conversion 11x59mmR caliber rifle. Converted from needle fire to metallic cartridge in the 1870’s. Originally produced by Châtellerault in 1873. The receiver is also marked M80. Non-matching serial numbers. The bore has strong rifling and is dark in the grooves. The wood is good with dents and dings, and a chip at the left forend. The top of the barrel is marked “Made in France”. This indicates that this rifle was sent by France to Russia during WWI. During the Spanish Civil War, Russia sold this rifle to the Spanish Republican Forces. It was imported into the US in the 1950’s. A seldom seen rifle in good overall condition.