Fusil Gras mle 1874

Fusil Modèle 1874 or Fusil Gras
Fusil Gras M80 1874
Type	Bolt-action rifle
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1874–1941 1874–1886 (primary French service rifle)
Used by	France Other users
Wars	See conflicts
Production history
Designed	1872–1874
Manufacturer	Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne and Steyr
No. built	2,500,000
Variants	M80 M14
Specifications
Mass	4.2 kg (9.3 lb) 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (cavalry) 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (Artillery)
Length	1,310 mm (52 in) 1,175 mm (46.3 in) (cavalry) 995 mm (39.2 in) (Artillery)
Barrel length	795 mm (31.3 in) 680 mm (27 in) (cavalry) 490 mm (19 in) (Artillery)
Cartridge	11×59mmR Gras[1] 8×50mmR Lebel
Action	Bolt action
Muzzle velocity	454 m/s (1,490 ft/s) 350 m/s (1,100 ft/s) (Cavalry)
Feed system	Single-shot
Sights	Iron sights

The Fusil Modèle 1874 or Gras was the French Army's primary service rifle from 1874 to 1886. Designed by Colonel Basile Gras, the Gras was a metallic cartridge adaptation of the single-shot, breech-loading, black powder Chassepot rifle. It was developed from 1872 to 1874 as a response to the German adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge rifle.

Modified in 1880 as the M80 with an improved breechblock and in 1914 as the M14 to accommodate the 8×50mmR Lebel smokeless powder cartridge, the Gras was replaced as the standard-issue service rifle by the Lebel in 1886.