Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by St. Étienne dated 1869 British Bayonets The interior paint is in

The interior paint is in even better condition

William "Extra Billy" Smith at 65

and the horn itself is in excellent condition for its age

The sweatband is retained around the cap still

and there is a maker mark next to this

Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by St. Étienne dated 1869 British Bayonets The interior paint is inOriginal Item: Only One Available. Despite the fact that the French needle fire Chassepot rifle was far superior to the needle fire Prussian Dreyse rifle, the French took a swift and decisive beating in the war of 1870 71. In fairness to the French, the defeat was due to Napoleon III's foolhardiness in allowing himself to get captured at the Battle of Sedan and the show was then over. The Chassepot rifle of 1866 was a single shot bolt action rifle and