Today for Gus’ Gear, I have a couple of French rifles that saw limited use against the Germans during the Great War. The phrase “due to shortages” is one of the most commonly used phrases when discussing the history of the Great War. France experienced shortages of weapons and because of that the Gras Mle1874 rifle was pressed into service for rear guard troops. It was chambered for the 11x59mmR black powder cartridge, and as such was not really suitable for frontline use due to the smoke from the black powder that would signal to the enemy where the shooter was. The Mle1874 was upgraded in 1880 with improvements to the bolt. In 1914, the Gras rifle was modified again with the replacement of the barrel to accommodate the 8×50mmR Lebel smokeless powder cartridge.
A comparison photo of the Gras Mle74 M80 and the Gras Mle 74 M80 M14 show little outward difference between the rifles. The Mle74 M80 is on the top and is chambered for the 11x59mmR black powder cartridge and the Mle74 M80 M14 is 8×50mmR Lebel smokeless powder cartridge. The bayonets are the standard Gras M1874 bayonet. Approximately 2,500,000 Gras rifles were built and remained in service well after the Great War. Approximately 146,000 of these were converted to the Mle74 M80 M14 in 1914.
This photo of the left side of the receiver of the Mle74 M80 shows the markings that designate this rifle as one that is still chambered for the 11x59mmR black powder cartridge.
This photo of the left side of the receiver of the Mle74 M80 M14 shows the markings that designate this rifle as one that has been re chambered for the 8×50mmR Lebel smokeless powder cartridge.