Ah the french
Hello or bonjour!!
So the Gras is a single shot rifle originaly in 11 mm
the french with the urge to short supply at the firsts month of 1914 , make a 8 mm Lebel version with the old Gras 1874/80 .
if you can understand the 1874 is the model , 1880 (80) is a year of modifications , and 1914(14) the final version in 8 mm Lebel.
After some months this model was supply to rear area to olds mans to guards the railroad and others vitals communications .
I own a Lebel 1886/93 and the other Berthiers ....reload this caliber and the 11 mm Gras.
The Gras in 8 mm Lebel is a awfull weapon , i own one in the past , use to shoot at the range , definetely a temporary solution in desesperate time.
Better then nothing .
i prefer the short Lebel R-35 but , this a another story.
If you contact JP . he was in possesion of a rare version , a Chassepot 1866(Needle gun) modification in 11 mm Gras follow by reducing to 8 mm Lebel .
Amazing to see a firearm to NapoleonIII to the République .strange paradox??
