Mle 1866 Chassepot: Best of the Needle Rifles

Preorders now open for my book, "Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866-2016"! Get your copy here:
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The Model 1866 Chassepot was France's first military cartridge-firing rifle. It used a self-contained paper cartridge on the same basic principle as the Prussian 1841 Dreyse rifle, but was a substantial improvement on that system. The Chassepot fired an 11mm bullet at about 1350 fps (410 m/s), which was substantially higher velocity than the Dreyse. It was more accurate and had a substantially longer effective range. The French would produce about 1.5 million Chassepot rifles, most of them before the Franco-Prussian War.
Despite the quality of the Chassepot rifle, that war would go tremendously badly for the French, with hundreds of thousands of men and arms captured by the Prussians and the new German state being declared in the palace of Versailles. In the aftermath, many German cavalry units would adopt Chassepots for their own use, until the Gewehr 71 was available in carbine form. The French would resume Chassepot production briefly after the war, but would soon transition to a new rifle, the metallic cartridge firing Gras.
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  • @abeherbert6603
    @abeherbert66035 жыл бұрын

    I'm surprised Ian managed to keep a video about the Chassepot as short as 23 minutes. An impressive feat of self-restraint, I imagine.

  • @ben501st

    @ben501st

    5 жыл бұрын

    His conciseness is something I wish other channels would learn from. With KZread demonetization there's no need for filler video.

  • @Tenkai917

    @Tenkai917

    5 жыл бұрын

    Agreed. It's painfully obvious that many KZreadrs stretch their videos as long as possible in order to get more ad revenue. They talk a lot but say very little. As for demonetization, it's a little too late in the game for a full-on SHUT IT DOWN! mode to accomplish much.

  • @abeherbert6603

    @abeherbert6603

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@ben501st I absolutely agree, it was more of a joke about Ian's Francophile nature and the obvious glee of talking about these rifles.

  • @chrismeinart6937

    @chrismeinart6937

    5 жыл бұрын

    Lol

  • @maxwellclark6992

    @maxwellclark6992

    4 жыл бұрын

    I’m here because of Ian’s new playlist

  • @andrewbear1057
    @andrewbear10575 жыл бұрын

    Man, he knows everything about these rifles, he should write a boo.... oh, right. :)

  • @noneshere

    @noneshere

    5 жыл бұрын

    He dont know sh!t about Lowes home depot sliders or Rat traps & fishing line.

  • @thegodfather_8455

    @thegodfather_8455

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@noneshere are you sure about that

  • @joelstrong478

    @joelstrong478

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'd love to see one in use

  • @thomasmorgan1433

    @thomasmorgan1433

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great video. The French lost because of tactics and Logistics. They still had the logistical problems in the first World War. They commandeered taxis to get the men to the front.

  • @fz7788

    @fz7788

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@thomasmorgan1433 they didnt even pack maps of france when otto van bismark came knocking

  • @FantadiRienzo
    @FantadiRienzo5 жыл бұрын

    To the neverending "Chassepot vs Dreyse"-discussion, some statistics from the franco-prussian war. Before the war the prussian estimated that 3 Chassepot were as effective as 5 Dreyse-rifles. And the Chassepot did prove to be superior, BUT - According to the book "Die deutsche Gewehrfrage mit Berücksichtigung der neusten europäischen Ordonnanzmodelle..." ("the german rifle question in relationship to the newest ordnance modells") by Major Ritter Wilhelm von Plönnies, published 1872, 96% of all german casualties in the war of 1870/71 were caused by "Infantry projectiles", while only 70% of all french battlefield casualties were caused by infantry projectiles. Of the 96% caused by the chassepot cartridge, von Plönnies estimates that 5% were caused by the Mitrailleuse (300 used) and 90% by the Chassepot. On both sides, 2-3% were caused by edged weapons and the rest by artillery (25% german and only 2-3% french). 90% vs 70% sounds very lopsided. But french battlefield fatalities (killed in action & died of wounds) were about 77.000, while the entire german armies only suffered 28.306 battlefield fatalities. So... 77.000 x 70% = 53.900 killed by Dreyse's (or Werder's) 28.306 x 90% = 25.475 killed by Chassepot's. 28.306 x 5% = 1.415 dead caused by 300 Mitrailleuse's - so this was a very effective weapons. Overall the author *does not* use this data to defend the Dreyse, quite the contrary. He writes that the overwhelming victory was mainly due to tactics and organisation, and that the Dreyse's shortcommings were ignored for much too long. Yet it was not like the prussian infantrists were completely helpless. Here are some interesting casualty statistics from the other prussian wars: _Danish-german war 1864_ danish casualties: 84% by Dreyse's, 4% by edged wepons, 10% by artillery, 2% unknown. prussian casualties: 74% by infantry rifles, 20% by artillery, 6% by other weapons. _austro-prussian war of 1866_ austrian casualties: 90% Dreyse, 4% by edged weapons, 3% unknown, 3% artillery prussian casualties: 79% by rifles, 16% by artillery, 5,4% by edged weapons _some other interesting battle statistics_ In the war of 1866 2 Million Dreyse cartridges were shot for 30.000 hits. (66,6 shots per hit). During the battle of Lundby in 1864 64 prussians killed 88 danes with 750 shots.

  • @taylorday6244

    @taylorday6244

    4 жыл бұрын

    Man why are the Germans so vulnerable to artillery

  • @lucius1976

    @lucius1976

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@taylorday6244 Prussians were on the offensive in all conflicts.

  • @jakublulek3261

    @jakublulek3261

    4 жыл бұрын

    Dreyse had pretty short range for infantry rifle, so even Austrian converted muzzle-loaders Lorenz outranged them in direct combat. Plus they were fragile, unreliable and cartridge design was suboptimal.

  • @FantadiRienzo

    @FantadiRienzo

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@jakublulek3261 "Plus they were fragile, unreliable and cartridge design was suboptimal." - nonsense

  • @granddukeofmecklenburg

    @granddukeofmecklenburg

    4 жыл бұрын

    People dont remember that the Dreyse was 25 years old when the chassepot came out...Decades ahead of its time...And the Chassepot was an improvement on an obsolete concept in the age of cartridges just hitting the mainstream...So france wasted alot getting something out just for Metallic cartridges to force them to have to move to the 11mm gras 6 years later...while germany got to retire a 30 year old gun for a new extremely good metallic cartridge firing bolt action, that layed the foundation for the greatest lineup of bolt actions(and pretty much every bolt action, outside the lee Enfield and lebel, berthier, mas-36...)

  • @assman7969
    @assman79695 жыл бұрын

    Gun Jesus: "needle rifle" Covenant: *HEAVY BREATHING*

  • @whatisbestinlife8112

    @whatisbestinlife8112

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yep. Saw "Needle Rifle" and it instantly got my scifi/steampunk imagination all worked up. Still really cool info and episode. But... you know... Needlers!

  • @noneshere

    @noneshere

    5 жыл бұрын

    Super Glue a bb to a buckshot shell then hit it with a rat trap + fishing line.... Fuq "gun control" come & get it

  • @LeroyJ12

    @LeroyJ12

    5 жыл бұрын

    LOL

  • @dak4465

    @dak4465

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hahaha that gave me a good laugh. I congradulate yyou sir

  • @Brawler_1337

    @Brawler_1337

    4 жыл бұрын

    The fleet that invaded Reach had plenty of those.

  • @Riplee
    @Riplee5 жыл бұрын

    How did you upsell me on a 153 year old gun

  • @zelashizzz1278

    @zelashizzz1278

    4 жыл бұрын

    No kidding. I've wanted a Roth-styer pistol ever since his shooting video of one.

  • @johnqpublic2718

    @johnqpublic2718

    4 жыл бұрын

    Upsell? You were looking for an older, cheaper, less efficient rifle before this? Also, it's a rifle. Guns are much, much bigger bore....

  • @Edeinawc

    @Edeinawc

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@johnqpublic2718 Humor, buddy, humor. Even if you don't have any you should try to understand it.

  • @ironwoodnf9128

    @ironwoodnf9128

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@johnqpublic2718 handgun ooh oooh wait... Handrifle so sorry

  • @kellypaws

    @kellypaws

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yup. Cause it’s great.

  • @rotwang2000
    @rotwang20005 жыл бұрын

    This is one of the weapons which proves that there very rarely is a true "decisive war-winning weapon" no matter how individually awesome it looks to your own eyes.

  • @mikekemp9877

    @mikekemp9877

    5 жыл бұрын

    see my remarks above totally agree,

  • @FlakeTillman

    @FlakeTillman

    5 жыл бұрын

    rotwang2000 Artillery is the war winning weapon. There’s a reason why Infantry weapons are called “Small arms”.

  • @CThyran

    @CThyran

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@FlakeTillman I think you meant air superiority wins wars not artillery.

  • @browncoat697

    @browncoat697

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@CThyran In 1871 it was absolutely artillery. Also, as a counterpoint: Vietnam.

  • @CThyran

    @CThyran

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@browncoat697 Vietnam was only a failure due to politics getting involved. we were absolutely decimating the Vietcong even despite our outdated tactics. Also didn't help that their main base was across a country's border and we weren't allowed to bomb it to kingdom come.

  • @hpbear101
    @hpbear1015 жыл бұрын

    Great video, I really enjoyed. My son came to visit this week and he wanted to learn how to make Chassepot cartridges. We took the Chassepot out yesterday and fired the 18 rounds he had made and all fired :)

  • @timothy2935

    @timothy2935

    5 жыл бұрын

    That's awesome dude!

  • @timothy2935

    @timothy2935

    5 жыл бұрын

    Sure would like to see a video

  • @Froggmeningreen

    @Froggmeningreen

    5 жыл бұрын

    Just curious: how would you compare reloading "modern" white powder calibers to black powder paper cartridges in terms of cost and time invested?

  • @hpbear101

    @hpbear101

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Froggmeningreen Cost wise there isn't much difference primer/musket cap, powder, and bullet (I cast my own so it saves $). Time wise the period correct cartridges are time consuming, simpler one piece paper cartridges somewhat less time consuming, I have recently started making mine from plastic straws they are by no means period correct but they are fast and simple to make. It's a combination of reloading along with arts and crafts.

  • @ultramagnus4374

    @ultramagnus4374

    4 жыл бұрын

    Napoleon III would be proud

  • @TheWirksworthGunroom
    @TheWirksworthGunroom5 жыл бұрын

    "Wow , we really need to get moving and just pick something and adopt it" seems to be the history of much French Defence procurement!

  • @tonyz7216
    @tonyz72162 жыл бұрын

    My name is Antoine, I am French and your pronunciation of 'Antoine Chassepot' was perfect. Merci pour cette vidéo!

  • @emmedigi89
    @emmedigi895 жыл бұрын

    The Chassepot became famous in Italy because in 1867 French troops armed with Chassepots easily defeated Garibaldi's volunteers trying to conquer Rome and equipped with obsolete muzzle loading rifles in Mentana

  • @atr_g10

    @atr_g10

    3 жыл бұрын

    i know i'm late, but no 'and', try 'that were'

  • @illegalclown
    @illegalclown5 жыл бұрын

    Man, I've been watching too much C&Rsenal. When you said there was a disruption in 1870 my brain was expecting to hear "when war were declared."

  • @00jeepxj61

    @00jeepxj61

    5 жыл бұрын

    And the random crozier, the blueberry fed one, picture

  • @dak4465

    @dak4465

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@00jeepxj61 CROOOZIER

  • @axebob730
    @axebob7305 жыл бұрын

    The I and O were probably skipped as serial number prefixes due to their resemblance to 1 and 0 (zero). I have seen them skipped on machines we import.

  • @talpinsky5054

    @talpinsky5054

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes! For example, there are no letter "o" 's on automotive VIN #.

  • @taureaurouge3315

    @taureaurouge3315

    Жыл бұрын

    @@talpinsky5054 I know this is two years old and pedantic but the “#” sign is not needed after VIN, as the “N” in “VIN” stands for “number.” So with the “#” you’re saying “Vehicle Identification Number number.”

  • @getoffmylawn5643
    @getoffmylawn56435 жыл бұрын

    I was watching this literally while trying to help my dad figure out where this old bayonet came from that he's had like half his life. It was really hard to read the really flowy script engraved on the blade until I happened to hear Ian say "Manufacture Imperiale", and realized that what was enscribed on the blade was "Mfr Imperiale de Mutzig Janvier 1869"... And apparently the Mutzig factory was taken over by Germany after 1870 so it could have been one of the last things produced there. So thanks, Ian. Been watching Forgotten Weapons for years but this is the first time that one of your videos playing in the background was conveniently contextually relevant.

  • @jean-bastienjoly5962

    @jean-bastienjoly5962

    Жыл бұрын

    Wait, how did your dad end up with this bayonette?

  • @getoffmylawn5643

    @getoffmylawn5643

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jean-bastienjoly5962 I honestly have no idea. He's had it for a really long time, I think he may even have inherited it himself.

  • @ninjaturkey100

    @ninjaturkey100

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jean-bastienjoly5962 Going to say they're fairly commonly sold in Europe as antiques!

  • @FLVCTVAT_NEC_MERGITVR
    @FLVCTVAT_NEC_MERGITVR5 жыл бұрын

    J'espère que votre intérêt et votre passion pour les armes de françaises sera reconnu monsieur Ian. Vous faites un énorme service au près de notre pays.

  • @Emperoroleary

    @Emperoroleary

    2 жыл бұрын

    he loves french guns

  • @historynerd88
    @historynerd885 жыл бұрын

    The first combat use of the Chassepot was in 1867 at Mentana, where their exceptional rate of fire and range annihilated Giuseppe Garibaldi's "elan" favorite tactic.

  • @MrReded69

    @MrReded69

    5 жыл бұрын

    Ironic that after losing the Franco-Prussian War a few years later, the French would obsessively concentrate on Elan or Avant tactics all the way to WW1's beginning.

  • @2adamast

    @2adamast

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@MrReded69 And maybe later, reading De Gaulle gave me the impression he likes (armored) Elan

  • @rolandbihot7944

    @rolandbihot7944

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@2adamast Exactement de Gaulle a écrit un livre dans les années trente sur sa vision de l'utilisation des blindés qui a était repris par Hitler les rond de cuire français étaient gâteux Hitler avait reconnu de Gaulle un bon stratège il était trop jeune seul petin reconnaissait de Gaulle comme différant des autres jeunes officiers de Gaulle détestait le président américain qui a voulu écarter de Gaulle au profit de Giraud un général bon a rien à la botte des états-unis qui avait collaboré avec petin de Gaulle a écarté Giraud pour le débarquement de Gaulle a pas était prévenus à très mal pris cette vacheries des américains il c'est vite rendu a la première ville libérée a nommé un maire a repris le contrôle contre l'avis des américains qui avaient préparé plusieurs milliers d'officiers pour occuper la France les états-unis avait frappé une monnaie l'histoire officielle n'est que mensonge les états-unis sont pas venus libérer la France il sont venus tout casser pour prendre le contrôle de la France c'est de Gaulle qui a sauvé la France il a pas laissé faire les américains il avait une grande armée française que personne parle l'armée française a débarqué en Provence à libéré toutes les villes de l'ouest de la France y avait aucun américain les américains une fois débarqué en Normandie sont partis directement vers l'est l'Allemagne c'est l'armée française qui a rejoint les américains notamment le général leclerc avec la 2 db qui a foncé sur Paris pour libérer la capitale les américains voulaient pas il voulait aller directement en Allemagne le général Delattre qui a débarqué en Provence est remonté par l'est à rejoind le général leclerc qui après avoir libéré Strasbourg a foncé en Allemagne jusqu'au nid d'aigle d'Hitler les américains sont venus en 44 une fois que l'armée allemande était bien affaiblie la,résistance a fait un gros travail de sabotage des lignes téléphoniques des lignes de chemin de fer sans quoi le débarquement aurait était impossible c'est pas les américains qui étaient les meilleurs au débarquement il on faillit faire demi-tour les canadiens, anglais , français leur action était parfaitement efficace les américains avaient beaucoup d'étrangers des polonais qui était de très bon combattant je me souvient des dégâts causés par les américains il on tout détruit alors que c'était pas utile jusqu'à tirer des rafales sur des pommiers il on violer une voisine de 18 ans Les chasseurs américains tiraient sur n'importent quoi même des enfants c'est la vérité mon frère avait 9 ans lorsqu'il entendait un chasseur américain il se jetait dans le fossé au bord de la route je me souvient des ruines je me souvient des dégâts je suis né juste après la guerre en Normandie à saint lo qu'on nommait la capitale des ruines la véritable histoire est pas celle qu'on raconte dans les livres Il y a eu plus de morts civils que de militaires Aujourd'hui il y a aucune trace j'ai fait des recherche tout a,était caché discrètement par contre y a des beaux cimetières de guerre qui servent les propagande ma mère me disait les américains c'est un peuple de criminels ça c'est la vérité il on détruit toutes les maisons du village les trois maisons de ma famille rasée en pleine campagne les champs y avait des trous de bombes partout il on déverse des tapis de bombes il on mitrailler une cousine à ma mère qui fuyait les bombardements avec une vache les américains foutre le bordel partout les américains on toujours besoin d'ennemi quand y'en a plus il en refrabrique avec des mensonges comme en Irak en se moments il diabolise poutin qui n'a pas l'intention de vouloir faire la,guerre ni d'envahir c'est des mensonge comme pour l'Irak dans les pays en frontières avec la Russie les états-unis on placé des missiles de croisière c'est pas pour la défense plutôt pour attaquer les états-unis on pas respecté les accords avec les russes il devait pas étendre l'o.t.a.n au frontières russe les états-unis mente en permanence Il veulent installer le nouvel ordre mondial l'escroquerie covid en fait partie

  • @ke7eha
    @ke7eha3 жыл бұрын

    I was talking with a former colleague about stab detonators before I left my previous job. He mentioned that, while they aren't totally reliable when the pin stabs into the detonator (very similar to the needle fire mechanism here) they tend to function nearly all the time when the pin is withdrawn. Smart of the French to make this part of the manual of arms.

  • @DRNewcomb
    @DRNewcomb5 жыл бұрын

    The Chap has a nice video on hand-rolling Chassepot paper cartridges.

  • @WhitzWolf92

    @WhitzWolf92

    5 жыл бұрын

    Channel is BlokeOnTheRange, for anyone not familiar

  • @davidkatz1503
    @davidkatz15035 жыл бұрын

    Sabaton drops their new single about Verdun and now Ian is talking about the Chassepot? This is a good morning.

  • @DootNeon

    @DootNeon

    5 жыл бұрын

    That's what I was thinking

  • @hugopepe1722
    @hugopepe17225 жыл бұрын

    The Dreyse rifle was not the sole reason Austria lost the battle of Königgrätz. The rifle (and ammo) had lots of drawbacks that were slightly outweighed by its benefits . The terrain and the lack of organisation in the enemy army was it that really decided that battle.

  • @TwoSeparateGorillas
    @TwoSeparateGorillas5 жыл бұрын

    I love Ian’s videos, which are usually exhaustive, but don’t believe this little factoid was included about the Chassepot. The fact seems to be that the Chassepot was, at least in later Victorian times, very widely known even in non-military circles as the epitome of military rifles. Best example is that in the original text of the song “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance" (1879), the hapless General Stanley extols his ignorance of things military by singing that he can’t tell “a Chassepot rifle from a javelin.” This is now usually changed to “Mauser rifle” for more modern audiences.

  • @UselessZero
    @UselessZero5 жыл бұрын

    Okay, I've checked Kickstarter page and as for this moment Ian have to sign 1077 of his books. I almost want to order just a regular copy of the book just to save his arm.

  • @trashcompactorYT
    @trashcompactorYT3 жыл бұрын

    Actually the Covenant Type-31 Needle Rifle is the best because of the supercombine capability

  • @TheZINGularity

    @TheZINGularity

    Жыл бұрын

    They should put more pressure on the magic pixie dust that gently floats the needle to the enemy :7

  • @Easy-Eight
    @Easy-Eight5 жыл бұрын

    In case anybody cares you can make an obturator by going to your local auto parts store and getting a small hose and cut to needed length. Modern rubber compounds hold up quite well.

  • @GunFunZS

    @GunFunZS

    5 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking hole sawing tire tread, so if there is hose in the right dia, that would make it very easy.

  • @johnfisk811

    @johnfisk811

    5 жыл бұрын

    Two tap washers did the job for me.

  • @eVVigilance

    @eVVigilance

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yep, 3 sink washers. Works great.

  • @jacula42069
    @jacula420695 жыл бұрын

    Gun Jesus is the best, most fitting name. Couldn't count sleepless nights I spent on watching his videos. Soothing, tender voice and legit knowledge. Thanks, Ian.

  • @rickansell661
    @rickansell6615 жыл бұрын

    Random factoid: Napoleon III, the Emperor mentioned by Ian, for whom this was produced, died and is buried in England. His son died whilst an 'Observer', serving as a Staff Officer, with the British Army during the Zulu War and is buried with him at St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough, Hampshire.

  • @michaelhorning6014

    @michaelhorning6014

    Жыл бұрын

    Napoleon I and his nephew Napoleon III gave rise to Marx's observation that history repeats itself "the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce."

  • @erwannthietart3602

    @erwannthietart3602

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@michaelhorning6014 which is ironic because for all of his fault Napoleon III wzs genuilly a better ruler than most french governor Really the only real letdown was the military disaster

  • @christopherpappas7474
    @christopherpappas74745 жыл бұрын

    Ian that is great advice, never use 150 year old rubbers!:) Wish you all the best on the book, can't wait to see it in it's 8th reprint!! ☮🙃🐱

  • @rumpled.gaming6045
    @rumpled.gaming60455 жыл бұрын

    Listening to you talk about something that you're so passionate about is fascinating and very watchable.

  • @laurentcherrier8492
    @laurentcherrier84924 жыл бұрын

    It is the first time I assist a real explainaton of this famous rifle.Indeed the frenchs of that time were very proud of this gun! I am french! Thanks and congratulations!

  • @terryreynolds9397
    @terryreynolds93975 жыл бұрын

    I remember someone arguing that the superiority of the dreyse wasn't the reason for the defeat of the Austrians, claiming the defeat of the French with their superior rifle as "proof". Of course, the dreyse was game changingly superior to muzzle loaders. The chassepot was superior to the dreyse, but not quite to the same level.

  • @Vonstab

    @Vonstab

    5 жыл бұрын

    The Chassepot had the ability to absolutley wreck Dreyse armed infantry which it proved repeatedly in 1870, Prussian and other German casulties were quite bad in the early battles. However the Prussian artillery could suppress the French infantry thanks to its breachload Krupp cannon firing contact fused shells and that proved decisive.

  • @terryreynolds9397

    @terryreynolds9397

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Vonstab The Chassepot outranged the Dreyse, was a little faster to operate, and long term reliability was probably better. Where else did the Chassepot outclass the Dreyse?

  • @Vonstab

    @Vonstab

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@terryreynolds9397 The Chassepot cartridge had better ballistics in addition to the range advantage so more accurate in the right hands. But the long range was the main advantage with Prussian units being suppressed and forced to go to ground at ranges the Dreyse wasn't even sighted for. Successiv assault waves could get closer but only at the cost of a lot of blood unless the Prussian artillery could silence the French fire. To some extent the French wasted their advantage by firing at long range (1500-2000 meters) when possible so the Prussians took less casulties than if the French had held their fire to about 900-1000 meters.

  • @terryreynolds9397

    @terryreynolds9397

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@Vonstab Thanks!

  • @theonlylauri

    @theonlylauri

    5 жыл бұрын

    It wasn't just the Dreyse, even on tactical level. The Prussians had switched to infantry tactics emphasizing rifle fire, and heavily drilled their soldiers in marksmanship. The Austrians had the old-school emphasis on bayonet charges, which no longer worked against the volume of fire Prussians could put out. In Franco-Prussian war, French had better rifles, but didn't have any tactical edge. Interestingly, we can see the importance of combining your wonder weapon with proper doctrine when looking at the French proto-machine gun mitrailleuse. It was a powerful weapon (nicknamed "Hell Machine" by Prussians), but since it had been kept so secret, there was no real understanding on how to properly use it, and consequently it did real damage mostly by chance.

  • @willyvale3545
    @willyvale35453 жыл бұрын

    This is an excellent video. Chassepot is really legendary here in France. If you go to France and see some 1870 battlefields, I advise to see the musée "de la dernière cartouche" where this rifle indeed made a big difference.

  • @PatrickLink
    @PatrickLink5 жыл бұрын

    I'm a big fan of Emile Zola's Rougon Marquart novels set during the Second Empire and this reminds me of The Debacle, his novel on the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune.

  • @mattmorrisson9607
    @mattmorrisson96075 жыл бұрын

    Love the daily videos, Ian! Well done, as always!

  • @ShiftyBigmac
    @ShiftyBigmac5 жыл бұрын

    Love the content mate, keep up the amazing work

  • @billyraydavis3400
    @billyraydavis34005 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for all the hard work love what you are doing never let them close you down so much hard work and dedication we all thank you

  • @LD-oq9lx
    @LD-oq9lx5 жыл бұрын

    Congrats on your book, you've come a long way from the first time i saw one of your video ( which happens to be the first lebel video you made, yes, the one with the falling baïonnette)

  • @ForgottenWeapons

    @ForgottenWeapons

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @BBBJOT
    @BBBJOT5 жыл бұрын

    I read it as "cheese pot" and I got hungry

  • @DrEisenhower

    @DrEisenhower

    5 жыл бұрын

    I mean, they ARE French...

  • @vaclav_fejt

    @vaclav_fejt

    5 жыл бұрын

    Cheese pot with a päté de foie Gras and a lovely bottle of Lebel 1886.

  • @ForgottenWeapons

    @ForgottenWeapons

    5 жыл бұрын

    10/10 Would eat.

  • @moosemaimer

    @moosemaimer

    5 жыл бұрын

    "Hi guys, today we're going to look at a 1972 Cuvette Defromage."

  • @jimvandemoter6961

    @jimvandemoter6961

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@vaclav_fejt Are you buying? If so, I'm in.

  • @Hunter-nu7uw
    @Hunter-nu7uw5 ай бұрын

    Great video, Ian. My Civil War veteran great grandfather bought a Chassepot rifle and used it as a hunting rifle. It now hangs above my fireplace. A piece of history and a family heirloom.

  • @DuckcuD
    @DuckcuD5 жыл бұрын

    that kickstarter is going amazingly, congratulations Ian

  • @danbalam0218
    @danbalam02185 жыл бұрын

    If you enjoyed this video, you'll probably enjoy Sabaton's new video; Fields of Verdun. Lots of forgotten weapons to spot there, including the Hotchkiss Clip fed LMG.

  • @dobypilgrim6160
    @dobypilgrim61605 жыл бұрын

    Super! Congratulations on the book as well!

  • @dennischannells5683
    @dennischannells56832 жыл бұрын

    I am in Australia; thank you so much for this and every brilliant video that you have produced. I greatly admire your knowledge on firearms.

  • @randywatson8347
    @randywatson83475 жыл бұрын

    Love the technology that went into this rifle.

  • @michaelhansen7244
    @michaelhansen72445 жыл бұрын

    I have never heard of needle fire rifles until I watched your videos on this gun, the drysse, and the carcano. Keep up the good work Ian!

  • @timbaskett6299
    @timbaskett62995 жыл бұрын

    I would like to see a "modern incarnation" of this style. Maybe not particularly a needle fire version, but an externally similar design firing something like a .45 Long Colt with a dual locking lug bolt face.

  • @Bubba-Fudd-bulletsmith
    @Bubba-Fudd-bulletsmith5 жыл бұрын

    i Can't wait to get your book

  • @loupiscanis9449
    @loupiscanis94495 жыл бұрын

    Thank you ,Ian .

  • @Hakumenhuku
    @Hakumenhuku Жыл бұрын

    I’m so excited to receive my third edition copy of the book this year! Ian’s content is some of the best in world, and now I need a Chassepot…

  • @blueband8114
    @blueband81145 жыл бұрын

    Whenever i visit the Royal Armoury in Leeds, i always make my way over to the Chassepot and Dreyse display. They absolutely fascinate me, beautifully made, i personally prefer the looks on the Dreyse, but fully understand the Chassepot is superior.

  • @23GreyFox

    @23GreyFox

    5 жыл бұрын

    Superior in some ways, inferior in other ways.

  • @DoncoEntAgain
    @DoncoEntAgain5 жыл бұрын

    Went and preordered the book right after watching this video!

  • @donaldholman9070
    @donaldholman90705 жыл бұрын

    Congratulation on your book!

  • @chuckcochran8599
    @chuckcochran8599 Жыл бұрын

    The progression from muzzle to Breach loading seems natural now, but at the time it was a huge leap forward in technology as well as military philosophy and tactics. That it would take time for Metallic Cartridges to catch up, technology wise, is as interesting topic in and of itself. I've long been fascinated by this time period and the huge leaps forward in Firearm, Cartridge, Ignition Systems and ultimately Propellants in less than a hundred years, is amazing. Towards the end of the period, gave birth to those giants of the firearm Browning, Mauser, Maxim, Luger, and others. Thank you Ian, seeing a video is much preferable than old B&W photos, as well as seeing basic function and field strips.

  • @rizaradri316
    @rizaradri3165 жыл бұрын

    Snider-Enfield to SA80 will be nice title for your next book if you planning on one

  • @jasonz7788
    @jasonz7788 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome video thank you

  • @GrudgeyCable
    @GrudgeyCable5 жыл бұрын

    Finally the chassepot!

  • @ianfinrir8724
    @ianfinrir87243 жыл бұрын

    The original version of The Major General's Song from Pirates Of Penzance mentions this gun ( "I can tell at sight a Chassepot rifle from a javelin") this line was rewritten once the Mauser became popular.

  • @MosoKaiser
    @MosoKaiser5 жыл бұрын

    - Wave of the future, Dude. 100 percent breech-loaded - Hmmm. Well, I still load cartridges manually

  • @ThePerfectRed
    @ThePerfectRed5 жыл бұрын

    The bolt action is really not superior to other locking systems until the introduction of magazines. On the other hand, magazine rifles only took off because there was already a suitable locking system to exploit their potential. I wonder how firearms would have evolved if Dreyse (and hence the French) would have chosen a different design.

  • @lesterdiamond6190
    @lesterdiamond61905 жыл бұрын

    I've been waiting for Ian to cover this rifle. It was mentioned in the excellent BBC Series "Soldiers, a History of Men in Battle". The Episode was "Infantry". If you're a fan of this channel I highly recommend that series. It's all here on youtube.

  • @armstrongcuster9262
    @armstrongcuster92622 жыл бұрын

    Very instructive! Thanks.

  • @MrJacobkoh
    @MrJacobkoh5 жыл бұрын

    love the content!

  • @ivo215
    @ivo2155 жыл бұрын

    On a side note, the kickstarter goal has now been reached 10 times over. That's kind of amazing.

  • @TheEvertw
    @TheEvertw3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing that these ancient guns were calibrated to shoot out to 1200 meters. Different times...

  • @specialagent1868
    @specialagent18685 жыл бұрын

    Looking forward to your books! Just pledged.

  • @ForgottenWeapons

    @ForgottenWeapons

    5 жыл бұрын

    Awesome, thanks!

  • @lucianene7741
    @lucianene77414 жыл бұрын

    Nice piece of history.

  • @HoRiGa94
    @HoRiGa945 жыл бұрын

    Why was Prussian artillery more effective? The Prussians had adopted steel breech loading artillery pieces with contact detonated shells, the French were still using bronze muzzle loading guns with lower range and faulty timed fuses.

  • @sjoormen1

    @sjoormen1

    5 жыл бұрын

    Yes, but brass gun has nicer ring to it;-)

  • @2adamast

    @2adamast

    4 жыл бұрын

    And twice the range.

  • @carloslalik4346
    @carloslalik43463 жыл бұрын

    Hi Ian, first of all sorry for my English, I´am Argentine. One thing about Chassepot is that rifle is the origin of the Word "sniper" in spanish speaking (but with prussian influence) armies, Like Argentine Army. Here we say "sniper" as "francotirador" or "franco-tirador " from French language "franc-tireur" (free shooter). The superb features of this rifle allow that some Little groups of irregular shooters slow the advance of Prussian Army. Best reggards from Argentine Patagonia

  • @coldxmlpromax9550
    @coldxmlpromax95505 жыл бұрын

    I waited this for so long

  • @NigelRumpstead
    @NigelRumpstead2 жыл бұрын

    C'est une super vidéo!

  • @Viridance
    @Viridance5 жыл бұрын

    Very cool

  • @stevejenkins9984
    @stevejenkins99845 жыл бұрын

    Good video I like the longer ones

  • @joetaylor486
    @joetaylor4865 жыл бұрын

    As a brit, I've grown up in a culture that has made fun of the French and made light of their military achievements. Watching your channel has genuinely been an education and has taught me that the French punched above their weight in small arms development. I had no idea!

  • @ggousier

    @ggousier

    5 жыл бұрын

    As a brit LOL. Brits and French it's a long, very long love and war story. I'm French and so i don't like so much brits ^^ But you brits and us french we are cousins. :)

  • @joetaylor486

    @joetaylor486

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@ggousier You are not wrong, brother! There are reasons I lived in France and speak French (if badly, sorry)

  • @ggousier

    @ggousier

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@joetaylor486 Good ! It's very difficult to learn French for a brit. As it's also difficult for a french to speak English ! My accent is terrible ! LOL You lived in France ok, so do you always think that French people are arrogant ? You can answer to me in French if you want. I promise i will not laugh about you. :)

  • @joetaylor486

    @joetaylor486

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@ggousier Tiens ! Je trouve que les Francais sont généralement challoux, mais ceux qui devant du Île de France, je les trouve froids et un peu chiants

  • @ggousier

    @ggousier

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@johnfisk811 Oui l'arrogance est une légende urbaine anglo-saxonne en ce qui concerne le peuple français. Nos dirigeants c'est autre chose. Par exemple Macron est très arrogant. Vive l'UE je ne suis pas trop d'accord mais c'est un autre débat ;). En tous cas pour un Britannique je tiens à vous féliciter pour votre français plus que correct. Je n'ai pas un anglais aussi irréprochable. :) La singularité française ce n'est pas l'arrogance, c'est notre faculté à être le seul pays au monde à ne pas parler l'anglais ! LOL

  • @chrisclark5204
    @chrisclark52045 жыл бұрын

    I went to a gun show where I live yesterday and came across one these 1866 Chassepot rifles. Don't remember what the seller wanted for it though.

  • @Gunga_FAB.50
    @Gunga_FAB.506 ай бұрын

    chassepot is the best needle fire rifle because the cartridge’s percussion cap is basically one millimeter away from being centerfire

  • @user-cc5er5so1k
    @user-cc5er5so1k7 ай бұрын

    As I recall, ~10 rounds caused the needle to glow slightly. My father had acquired two of them. One in mint original condition, the other was modified. We fired the latter occasionally. It seems that the seal is missing. See 13:19. Ours had crumpled ones. They were probably made of inferior coutchouc. Of course, after more than 100 years, it was rock hard. We used a brass cartridge that was made on the lathe. No problem, because the original cartridge is made of paper. Back then, ~1990s, you could buy them in France. It wasn't quite legal in Germany ;-). As far as I remember, in Germany legally they were treated like muzzle-loaders i.e., they were free from 18 years. The brass cartridge usage wasn't. In contrast to the Dreyse, the primer was closer to the rear of the cartridge. As the needle of the Chassepot was shorter, it was less susceptible to overheating. You can still see collector's guns with bent needles.

  • @KakugenKun
    @KakugenKun5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video! It would be nice one day to see one in action :)

  • @CheshireTomcat68

    @CheshireTomcat68

    5 жыл бұрын

    Bloke on the Range

  • @dex6147
    @dex61475 жыл бұрын

    Nice of you to share some of your personal collection Ian

  • @myhr9717
    @myhr97175 жыл бұрын

    Possibly Premature comment I don't know if Ian mentioned it, but Its Worth noting that Bloke on the range has a couple of really great videos on making cartridges for the Chassepot, as well as some shooting with it.

  • @unapeppina4824
    @unapeppina48245 жыл бұрын

    Can't wait for Gras video

  • @babbiification
    @babbiification5 жыл бұрын

    So wish I could get a Collector's Edition on that book. Have to settle for the outstanding writing and construction of the standard version... Oh well, never stop Ian.

  • @skylersmall6322
    @skylersmall63225 жыл бұрын

    Crunching some numbers I found on Wikipedia about this rifle, with the listed bullet weight and muzzle velocity this rifle has about the same muzzle energy ft/lbs as an AK47 cartridge but in 11mm instead of 7.62mm!

  • @granddukeofmecklenburg

    @granddukeofmecklenburg

    4 жыл бұрын

    Nope...more like a 30-06...this is a 386 grain at 1345 ft/s

  • @granddukeofmecklenburg

    @granddukeofmecklenburg

    4 жыл бұрын

    3.10 times the bullet weight at 1.8 times less velocity than the 7.62×39

  • @sjoormen1
    @sjoormen15 жыл бұрын

    Field test will follow, I hope? Nice presentation. Luckily for you, you had a book with enough information at hand;-)

  • @methodeetrigueur1164
    @methodeetrigueur11644 жыл бұрын

    At 8:00, you can read on the Cahen Lyon model rifle « Falisse & Trapmann ». It was a Belgian weapon factory in Liege.

  • @kenhelmers2603
    @kenhelmers26035 жыл бұрын

    Neat! Thanks Ian

  • @chassoto
    @chassoto5 жыл бұрын

    Needle fires are NOT obsolete! I could totally run this in a 2gun match and kick everyone's butt!

  • @operator8014

    @operator8014

    5 жыл бұрын

    Aww SHIT! a muzzle-loader 2 gun competition!? That would be... Actually quite shit to watch. Nevermind.

  • @dfwai7589

    @dfwai7589

    5 жыл бұрын

    @@operator8014 there'll be that one guy that shows up with a vest of derringers, so not all shit.

  • @babbiification

    @babbiification

    5 жыл бұрын

    I feel compelled to point out that while certainly an effective firearm, the benefit of technological advancement is shooters can operate as effectively with less practice than on older models. What is meant by 'obsolete' is certainly not 'useless'. I can refer you to InRange for demonstration of the Obsolete not Obsolescent principal. Would still love to see someone with a historical firearm show the whippersnappers what for though.

  • @paulshayter1113

    @paulshayter1113

    5 жыл бұрын

    Charles Soto, Are familiar with the song Paper Planes by M.I.A.? Check this "re-mix" out where they use a muzzle loader for the gun shots. 😅 kzread.info/dash/bejne/inyDusOkeLDem8Y.html

  • @granddukeofmecklenburg

    @granddukeofmecklenburg

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ironically that's what makes the chassepot suck...it was built to be better than a 25 year old gun, 5 years before metallic cartridges took over military rifles, while the Dreyse was good enough, being the best military rifle till the chassepot came out, and whaddya know, the great Mauser 71 came out the next year after the Dreyse and chassepot met in battle...Making the 5 year old chassepot obsolete shit, and being great timing for the germans to replace an old 30 year old gun

  • @lankykong5895
    @lankykong589511 ай бұрын

    This thing is ridiculous in Shogun 2, french riflemen shred absolutely everything

  • @Roguephilsopher
    @Roguephilsopher5 жыл бұрын

    I'm currently writing a book that takes place in 1870, with events with the Franco-prussian war. This helps immensely. Thank you.

  • @Sergay_Markov
    @Sergay_Markov5 жыл бұрын

    First i read chiassepot and "chiasse" in french mean diarrhea, good respect for my ancestors

  • @TwoSeparateGorillas

    @TwoSeparateGorillas

    5 жыл бұрын

    The "chiasse" was usually on the side of those facing the Chassepots.

  • @overlordvera4014
    @overlordvera40142 жыл бұрын

    14:25 "Here at chassepot, we fire the whole bullet!"

  • @sirsmiles1915

    @sirsmiles1915

    2 жыл бұрын

    "That's 65% more bullet per bullet"

  • @Lazarus7000
    @Lazarus70005 жыл бұрын

    We ever gonna see you shoot one of these? Re: the rubber obturator: you might be able to restore it with the same techniques used to restore rubber rollers in old tape and card handling equipment: you can boil it, or you can use MG Chemicals Rubber Renue on it. Not sure how well this will work on something about 100 years older than I'm used to using it on LOL.

  • @FreddyRangel85
    @FreddyRangel857 ай бұрын

    I’m surprised no one mentioned the main advantage of breach loading firearms: you can fire and reload from the prone position. You can’t do that with a muzzle loader. That’s a huge advantage.

  • @draconus15
    @draconus154 жыл бұрын

    Im useing part of my stimulus check to get both books

  • @whackycracker1987
    @whackycracker19875 жыл бұрын

    i really love the mas - 49, and the 36

  • @Treblaine
    @Treblaine4 жыл бұрын

    They perfected the needlefire principle just in time for metallic cartridge technology to mature and make needlefire redundant. Snider, Allin Trapdoor, Berdan rifles, Werndl, Rolling Block, all matured in around 1866-67.

  • @schwaulen
    @schwaulen5 жыл бұрын

    I would love to see a video from you showing and discussing those early cartridges.

  • @CheshireTomcat68

    @CheshireTomcat68

    5 жыл бұрын

    Bloke on the range

  • @PilotN396
    @PilotN3965 жыл бұрын

    So the first rifle he showed could have been used in the Franco-Prussian war?

  • @curtismundie4931
    @curtismundie49314 жыл бұрын

    I gotta know how you got into this I'd love to just mess with guns all day for a living the history is gripping

  • @marko11kram
    @marko11kram4 жыл бұрын

    A true innovation

  • @dandhan87
    @dandhan875 жыл бұрын

    Now the standard issue rifle of French Army will be made in Germany, how the wheel of time turns

  • @vega2270

    @vega2270

    4 жыл бұрын

    @Falk M hk 416

  • @LilWhitG

    @LilWhitG

    2 жыл бұрын

    @GastonJ globalisation maybe, but the hk416 is made with french steel

  • @NomadicHacker.
    @NomadicHacker.3 жыл бұрын

    New goal in life is to take a whitetail with one of those

  • @frenchstudentA
    @frenchstudentA5 жыл бұрын

    Kind of surprised he's not made a video about the Chassepot before now.