Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle Dated 1873 by St. Étienne with M1866 Saber Bayonet & Scabbard - Serial P 68655 British Bayonets It matches the leather loop

It matches the leather loop around the end of the handle

WEYERSBERGKIRSCHBAUM& CIESOLINGEN

Beyond Marine Corps lore

but the leather of the foot is heavily cracked and broken on both boots as shown

and most likely any other markings that were present are now worn away

Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle Dated 1873 by St. Étienne with M1866 Saber Bayonet & Scabbard - Serial P 68655 British Bayonets It matches the leather loopOriginal 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 Franco Prussian 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. During and after the conflict, about 665,000