Mylonas M1872
Fabrique d'armes Emile et Leon Nagant · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1872
Also known as: Mylonas Model 1872, Mylonas M1872/1873, Greek Mylonas rifle
Overview
The Mylonas M1872 is a Greek single-shot falling-block black-powder rifle designed in 1872 by Artillery Major Efstathios Mylonas at the Athens facility of the Greek Military Material Authority. A development of the Belgian M1870 Comblain action, it replaced the under-lever housing of Comblain's patent with a lever mounted ahead of and protruding below the trigger guard and added a larger external hammer. Chambered for the 11x59mmR Gras cartridge, it was the first rifle adopted by the Greek Army and predated French adoption of the Gras by two years. As Greece lacked the capacity to produce it in quantity, manufacture was contracted to Emile et Leon Nagant of Liege, Belgium.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1280 mm (50.39") |
| Barrel Length | 820 mm (32.28") |
| Action Type | Falling Block |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | None |
| Muzzle Velocity | 454 m/s (1490 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2566 J (1893 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1600 m (1750 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 11x59mmR Gras · primary — also known as 11mm Gras, Balle 1874 M, 11x59R
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Hammer
- Features: Under Lever Action, External Hammer, Fixed Iron Sights
Service history
Operators
- Hellenic Army · adopted 1872
- Greek Gendarmerie
Conflicts
- Greek Thessaly campaign (1878)
Production
Estimated total produced: 8,500 · Production years: 1872-1877
Built under contract by Emile et Leon Nagant in Liege, Belgium; small run due to early replacement by the M1874 Gras
Origin
Country of origin: Greece
Designer: Efstathios Mylonas
Discontinued: 1877
Notes
Considered inferior to the French Gras and replaced by it within a few years. Roughly 8,500 were built. A companion Mylonas pistol of similar mechanism was also produced.
Background
Adopted before France fielded its own Gras rifle, the Mylonas gave Greece an early metallic-cartridge breechloader, but its falling-block action was soon judged inferior to the bolt-action Gras the army quickly switched to.