Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by St. Étienne dated 1869 British Bayonets and there is a maker

and there is a maker mark next to this

The sweatband is retained around the cap still

This really is a good example of these helmets

The standard Gahendra screw is located above the trigger

The leather still retains a pleasing russet coloration to the leather

Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by St. Étienne dated 1869 British Bayonets and there is a makerOriginal 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