Chassepot to Famas: French Military Rifles 1866-2016 (Signature Edition)

537 Pages·2019·62.415 MB·English

by  Ian McCollum

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JAMES RUPLEY
Copyright© 2019 Headstamp Publishjng, LLC
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"Headstamp Publishing" are trademarks of Headst amp Publishing, LLC. All other trademarks present
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of or association with those marks. The use of such marks is made incidentally, for identification, or for
descriptive purposes only.
Images have been retouched digitally when deemed appropriate or necessary by the publisher. No image
or content should be relied upon by the reader for any purpose other than entertainment. The content and
statements in this book have not been reviewed or endorsed by any firearm manufacturer featured in this
book, except where specified.
All photography in the book is by James Rupley, except where otherwise stated in the image captions
or acknowledgements.
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
JSB1 : 978-1-7334246-0-8
Published by Headstamp Publishing, LLC
P.O. Box 158294
Nashville, T 37215
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About the Author
Ian McColl um is the founder, editor and presenter of Forgotten Weapons, a
web site and video archive founded in 2010 and dedicated to preserving firearms
history. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Pw·due
University, and is a Technical Advisor for the Association of Firearm and
TooLnark Examiners, a board member of the National Firearms Act Trade and
Collectors' Association, and the American liaison to the Federation of European
Societies of Arms Collectors. He has also written for Armament Research
Services, Popular Mechanics, American Rifleman, and others.
fn addition to being an avid practical shooting competitor, Mr. McCoUurn studies
the history of firearms development and practical use. His work with firearms
includes a particular specialty in French arms which has led him to a deep interest
in collecLing these weapons. He hopes this work will help give these arms the
recognition and appreciation they deserve, and so often do not receive .
•
About Headstamp Publishin TM
Headstamp Publishing is a specialist publisher producing authoritative books oo
arms, munitions, and military history. Drawing on an extensive network of subject
matter experts and unprecedented access to top-tier collections around Lhe world,
we aim to deliver best-in-class books, combining exceptional research and technical
accuracy with the latest in high-quality production and photography techniques.
Headstamp Publishing was founded by .R.Jenzen:Jones, Ian McCollum, and
James Rupley. Headstamp is commjtted to producing books that showcase world-
class authors, technical specialists, photographers, and editors.
Disclaimer
This work is presented for informational purposes only. It is not intended
to provide instruction regarding the construction, handling, disposal, or
modification of any weapons systems. Arms or munitions of any variety should
not be handled without the correct training, and then only in a manner consistent
with such training. Subject matter ei,.-perts, such as armorers, gunsrruths, and
e>..-plosive ordnance disposal specialists should be consulted before interacting with
unfamiliar arms or munitions.
Headstarnp Publishing (including its employees and consultants) shall not be held
responsible for any damage, of whatever nature, arising from the direct or indirect
use of this publication, induding any damage, of whatever nature, that may be
incurred by third parties.
The views expressed in this book arc those of the author(s) and/or contributor(s)
and do not necessarily represent the views ofHeadstamp Publishing or other
organizations with which the author(s) and/or contributor(s) may be affiliated.
Credits
Author:
Ian McCollum
Contributors:
Yann Carcaillon &Jonathan Ferguson
Editor:
.R. J enzen-J ones
Contributing Editors:
Leonardo Antaris, Jonathan Ferguson, James Rupley &Joel Simon
Technical Reviewers:
Arnaud Dessornes, Jonathan Ferguson & William Garofalo
Photography:
James Rupley
Layout:
Justin Baird
Acknowledgements
I am indebted to the many people whose assistance in ways both large and small made this book possible.
Any attempt to list everyone's contributions here will be woefully inadequate, but I would like to thank:
First, the generous Patrons who have supported Forgotten ·weapons for many years. IL is your ongoing
financial support that allowed me the time to undertake this project.
Debra, for cheedully tolerating the process and always patiently listening to me e>..vlain the subtle
variations of yet another indistinguishable Berthier.
Patrick Hernandez, for sharing his deep knowledge or the subject matter and providing access to
photograph several particularly rare rifles.
Arnaud Dessornes, for his critical review of my manuscript as well as for providing invaluable access to
production data for the rifles described herein.
Dr. William Garofalo, for his peer review of the manuscript.
Edouard Laurent, for his patience with my endless stream of questions - not to mention his assistance in
finding several rifles.
Yann Carcaillon, for offering to write the history of one French arsenal ... and then being talked into
writing two more as well.
My father, Duncan McCollum, for igniting my childhood interest in small arms, setting an example in
publication, and assisting with the grueling task of meticulously editing the manuscript.
The team of volunteers wbo helped me translate a stack of French books into English at the beginning
of this project- Thomas Caldwell, Patrick Senft,Jonas Schwenck,Joshjacobs, Alex Vogel, Dan
Anderson, and Christiaan de Vi·ies.
My partners at Headstamp Publishing,N.R.Jenzen:Jones and]an1es Rupley.
My editors, Leonardo M. Antaris, MD,Jonathan Ferguson, andJoeJ Simon for their merciless attack
on my writing, which is the bane of authors but the salvation of books.
A great many people and organizations shared additional time, information, and photographs wiLh me.
This book would not be all it is without them. Further thanks to:
Otlwis McCarthy Institute ofM ilitary Technology Nich Stanev
Darius Hoflach Cody Firearms Museum Jean-Yves Recochet
Stephane Rivoire Larry Vickers Georg Oberaigner
Badger Ordnance Charles Kramer Monty Gould
Galerie de Mars Joe Stairett INPS
Enoa11 de C!terisey Nathan Yost Richard Murat
IRGCN Hugues Vala! John Sheehan
+
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the engineers who
developed the rifles described herein. Hidden from
recognition by the cloak of state secrecy, many of their
names are lost to us. But their work is not.
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Remerciements
Ce livre est dedie aux ingenieurs qui ont mis au
point !es armes decrites dans le present ouvrage.
Bafoues de toute reconnaissance pour des raisons
de secrets d'etat, bon nornbre d'entre eux sont restes
dans l'anonymat et leurs noms perdus aJ amais.
Leurs travaux ne le seront jJas.