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    Legacy Member SARMAJOR48's Avatar
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    Gras M1874/M80 .22 Cal Rifle

    I am interested in any information that anyone can give me, or steer me to, relating
    to a Frenchicon military Model 1874/M80 single shot rifle that has been converted to fire
    .22 rimfire cartridges. The barrel has been cut back to just behind where the bayonet
    lug would normally be. I have the rifle in storage at this time, so I do not have pictures
    to post. Any info would be appreciated.
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    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    It seems that such rifles did exist

    GRAS en 22LR reglementaire - Page 4

    - although, as you can see if you follow the thread, the Frenchicon themselves are not all convinced that this was a "fusil reglementaire" i.e. standard rifle. The standard Gras cadet rifle was basically a normal Gras with an altered chamber to take shorter (50mm long) cartridges.

    In order to save money, a real cadet training rifle in .22 short was introduced ca. 1880, - blackpowder days!!! - and as far as I know it was the world's first purpose-built small-bore cadet training rifle, as opposed to an adapted or relined full-size rifle. I have one. It is also marked up in military style, with all parts numbered - including barrel bands and buttplate - something which would not be done for commericial guns. The number is above 5000, so there is little doubt that this was a standard item. I have shot it in France and shown it to members of the French blackpowder shooting team, who confirmed its origins.

    If you read the linked posts, it appears that the barrel on the lined Gras was shortened by about 4" to reduce the weight, since the liner increased the weight considerably - a smaller hole in same OD tube = more weight. But a lack of numbering of individual parts suggests a commercial relining, rather than a military alteration.

    I strongly recommend that you somehow arrange for photos to be taken and posted, then we can let the French shooters have a look and give their opinions.

    Hope this helps
    Patrick Chadwick, Membre des Arquebusiers de France
    Last edited by Patrick Chadwick; 03-31-2018 at 05:05 PM.

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