Original French M1874 Gras 11mm Infantry Rifle (SOLD the first day)

[Bat 2919]

I got the IMA e-mail add this morning and this rifle (one only) is listed for sale.  If anyone wants to do a Frog impression here you go.

Original French M1874 Gras 11mm Infantry Rifle with Practice Bayonet $795.

Original Item: Only One Available. This was France's first "metallic cartridge" rifle replacing the needle fire Chassepot Rifle of 1866. This example is offered in very nice condition and has a truly excellent bore. The receiver is marked: M-1874 MANUFACTURE DES ARMES, St Etienne.

The rifle has an issue date stamped into the barrel of 1877. It comes with all original steel mounts and cleaning rod.

Also included is an original Gras bayonet which has been converted to "training use" by having the point rounded and the hook quillon removed from the cross guard. This was most likely done during WW1 as by that time the Gras Rifle was held in reserve and principally used only for training.

A very nice live antique rifle complete with a rare modified training bayonet.

http://www.ima-usa.com/original-french-m1874-gras-11mm-infantry-rifle-with-practice-bayonet.html?trk_msg=ESCJMG9CBK5KH81QPLQ0U8AI30&trk_contact=6EJ5NRGQIMV1SSVNVA58085SDK&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Original+French+M1874+Gras+11mm+Infantry+Rifle+with+Practice+Bayonet&utm_campaign=20141220&utm_content=20141220

[Charles Isaac]

Oui, looks like a good one!

I watched this one go by last September and almost bought it-

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/12998576

Saw quite a few good deals on Werndls recently too.

Jack the Dog has a Murata right now-not an excellent one but you almost never see them.

[pony express]

That was a good one, Charles, and worth the money. I probably looked at it, but at that time I had already bought my 1892 French revolver and 1886 Kropatschek, so I was out of "gun money" Still am, actually. Been some other things going for better prices than in years past. My Gras I got several years ago and cost about 225, and is pretty much a wall hanger/relic. Haven't had time to try to fix it up. But now for another $100 or 150, you can get a good one.

[Charles Isaac]

Yeah, I'm down on gun money right now too. Need to post about the guns that caused this some time.

I loaded up 50 rounds of 8mm for the MLE 1892 revolver today. Graf & Sons had the 100gr .330 bullets from Buffalo Arms (bought 200) and some other things I needed like 11 lbs of treated Lyman corn cob media and .44 Russian Lee carbide dies-all for $96 shipped.

I got the Hornady 8mm Lebel Revolver dies from Optics Planet for $55 shipped

32-20 fired brass has been pulling over $1 a piece on GB so I bought 50 rounds of loaded 32-20 for $30 from the Georgia Arms booth at the Hampton VA show. Pulled it all down for the Starline brass!

Went with 2.2 grains of Trail Boss behind the 100gr .330. How's that sound?

[pony express]

Not sure what RCJ uses in his, I still haven't loaded any for mine, unless you count the 6 I made with 32-20 brass and "cut down" 8mm cast rifle bullets. They went bang and hit the general vicinity of the target. I guess if I don't get a mold for it soon, I'll just order some bullets from Buffalo too. I just used my 32-20 die to size them, and I have a Lyman "M" die for 8mm rifle, so that's what I used for them.

[Charles Isaac]

Sounds good Pony Express

Why is 32-20 brass so expensive?

[pony express]

When I looked, it was sold out everywhere. Probably because everyone that makes it isn't. they're putting all their effort into 5.56, 308, 9mm etc.

I just happen to have a small stash of it, since I have 3 32-20s already.

[Charles Isaac]

A lot more people shoot 32-20 than i thought.

I was able to buy 30 rounds of LOADED 32-20 in new Starline brass for about 1/2 what people were paying for fired mixed headstamp 32-20 of unknown origin on Gunbroker.

They still have loaded 32-20 and sell reloading components but they won't sell you the Starline 32-20 brass!

http://www.georgia-arms.com/32-20-win-1/