Carabine de Cavalerie Gras Mle 1874
Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1874
Also known as: Carabine de Cavalerie Modele 1874, Gras 1874 Cavalry Carbine, Mle 1874 M80 Cavalry Carbine
Overview
The Carabine de Cavalerie Gras Mle 1874 is the cavalry carbine variant of the French Gras single-shot bolt-action system designed by Colonel Basile Gras. Chambered for the 11x59mmR Gras black-powder metallic cartridge, it shortens the standard Fusil Gras Mle 1874 into a handier long arm for mounted troopers, fitted with brass furniture, a bent bolt handle and offset sling swivels for carrying on horseback. Unlike the gendarmerie carbine and artillery musketoon, the cavalry version carried no bayonet.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3600 g (127.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1170 mm (46.06") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 11x59mmR Gras · primary — also known as 11mm Gras, Balle 1874 M, 11x59R
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Single Round Manual
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Single Shot, Centerfire Metallic Cartridge, Brass Furniture, Bent Bolt Handle, Leaf Rear Sight, No Bayonet Fitting, Offset Sling Swivels, Cleaning Rod
Base model
Service history
Operators
- French Army · adopted 1874 · as Carabine de Cavalerie Mle 1874
Conflicts
- French colonial campaigns (1874-1900s)
Production
Production years: 1874-1884
Produced as the cavalry member of the Gras Mle 1874 family; individual carbine production figures are not separately documented from the overall Gras program.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Basile Gras
Discontinued: 1886
Notes
Distinguished from the near-identical gendarmerie carbine chiefly by furniture details and the absence of a bayonet fitting; both share an overall length of about 1.17 m and a weight of roughly 3.6 kg. Most surviving examples were later brought up to the 1880 (M80) standard, which added a gas-relief groove to the bolt head. Built at the French state arsenals of Saint-Etienne, Chatellerault and Tulle.
Background
France fielded a distinct Gras carbine for each mounted branch - cavalry, gendarmes and artillery - each subtly tailored in furniture and bayonet fitting, so a trooper's arm of service could be read from his shoulder weapon; the cavalry carbine alone dispensed with a bayonet entirely.