Smoothbore Gras.

[Anzac15]

Saw an unusual Gras today. It had been smoothbored and fitted with a simple fixed rear sight. Other than that, it still looked like a rifle, unmolested stock, barrel, etc. Many markings had been removed. Rare variation? I've never seen a Gras that had this modification. Could be had for $200. Wondered if this is something I should jump on.

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[burb1989]

sounds like a shotgun gras maybe. I've heard that some gras rifles were made into shotguns but I've never actually seen one for myself. My new gras has almost perfect rifling almost to the degree that a bullet hasn't been put down it since before the first World War.

[Anzac15]

Yep, this would definitely be classed as a shotgun. Any idea as to who would have done this and why?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Saw an unusual Gras today. It had been smoothbored and fitted with a simple fixed rear sight. Other than that, it still looked like a rifle, unmolested stock, barrel, etc. ...Could be had for $200. Wondered if this is something I should jump on.

Over here, such things are common and worth very little. Boring out cheaply disposed large-bore ex-service rifles to make shotguns seems to have been very popular in the 19th century.

Yep, this would definitely be classed as a shotgun. Any idea as to who would have done this and why?

Could have been done by anyone. I have a 1908 catalog that advertises both old large-bore BP rifles as a rifles and shotguns. I think it was especially common around 1900 to ww1 when the Gras, Mauser 1871 etc were disposed of in large quantities. But as shotguns they are often underbored - maybe 16 to 28 gauge. Not many would have enough metal to permit boring out to 12 gauge. And the drop of the butt is far from ideal for a shotgun. The weight distribution and handling dynamics are also inferior to a properly designed shotgun. And, of course, BP only.

IMOH, save your money for a real rifle or a real shotgun.

[Anzac15]

Patrick, 28 gauge is exactly what this was described as. I was just curious if this was something that was considered 'rare' or 'odd enough to be a collectible'. Gras and Lebels are rare here in Georgia, but Berthier M16s seem to be everywhere. (I'll be posting pics of my Lebel soon)
I think I'm going to take your advice and pass on this one. Didn't get overly excited about it anyway.

[burb1989]

I know the feeling on rarity. My gras is only the second I have ever seen in Mississippi and the collector I bought it from also had a lebel for sale as well, making it the first I have ever seen in person. Pre-WW1 anything down here is extremely rare no matter which country it seems.