Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by St. Étienne dated 1871 - Matching Serial L 79569 German Gun Magazines The leather of the grips

The leather of the grips still shows the original checkering

and the plating intact with just a bit of verdigris

While in London

and possibly on the field at Waterloo itself

• Red and gilt striped and tasseled waist belt

Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by St. Étienne dated 1871 - Matching Serial L 79569 German Gun Magazines The leather of the gripsOriginal Item: Only One Available. Despite the fact that the French needle fire Chassepot rifle was far superior to the needle fire Prussian Dreyse rifle, the French took a swift and decisive beating in the war of 1870 71. In fairness to the French, the defeat was due to Napoleon III's foolhardiness in allowing himself to get captured at the Battle of Sedan and the show was then over. The Chassepot rifle of 1866 was a single shot bolt action rifle and