At the Fall 2021 meeting of the American Society of Arms Collectors, I had the opportunity to make a presentation on the development of French military repeating rifles. The story begins with the Mle 1874 Gras, and proceeds through three different patterns of tube-magazine Kropatschek type rifles (the Mle 1878, 1884, and 1885) before arriving at the Mle 1886 Lebel.
Shotgun
Mystery Shotgun With a Very Unusual Action
This is a commercial pump-action shotgun manufactured in France and proofed at the St Etienne proof house. I know basically nothing else of its provenance, including who designed it, who sold it (although I would […]
Bolt Action Rifles
French Air Force Snipers: the FR-G1 and FR-G2
When St Etienne developed the FR-F1 sniper rifle, all the branches of the French military were given the opportunity to purchase them – and the Army, Navy, and Gendarmerie did. The Air Force, decided that […]
Aircraft MGs
France’s InterWar Aircraft Machine Gun: the 1926 Darne
Darne was a French gunmaker best known for sporting shotguns, but they entered the military arms field during World War One. The Lewis Gun was one of the best Entente aircraft guns, and Darne put […]
Nicely done Ian. Very interesting lecture.
Outstanding history lesson sir. Thank you!
Omelette du Fromage.
The same General Boulanger who tried to overthrow the Republic in 1889, and later killed himself at his mistress’ grave in 1891.
Busy fellow…
I found this one of the most interesting videos you have posted for a good while. I like your stuff, but I am interested in history first, and guns a long way after.
I already knew everything you said from watching you, and http://www.candrsenal.com , but just having it said again a bit different seemed to work very well for me. Thank you.
Great job Ian, always great when the video is a French weapon!!
Congratulations on your arrival!
just goes to show you that there are people out there that never work a day in their lives because they get paid doing what they love. at least, thats the case now for Ian anyways.
You feel that you have wasted 50 years in France when you listen to such an interesting expose as this and from an american in America.But then Ian’s charisma and internet have certainly changed peoples ideas of french military weapons
Great historical info, love the small digressions that you add to your presentations, they add texture to what otherwise could be dry history!
This talk brings to mind the idea of a lecture or series on Interarms / Samuel Cummins https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Cummings: so much history passed through there …