what rifle is this?

[bautino95]

Hi, i don't know what this rifle is. The rear sight is broke off. All I know it came out of my grandparents house, then sat at my parents house for 40 years... and now I have it. There are only a few numbers marked on it. No name anywhere or caliber. That's for the help.

[81turbota]

Looks like a French Chassepot

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chassepot

[bautino95]

Thanks 81turbota, yes that looks to be the one. just got done researching it a little after you gave me the name. Any value or rarity to it? looks to have been made in 1867 and all serial numbers match. only if the rear sight wasn't missing

[gun toting monkeyboy]

They have some collector's value, but not tons. And not in the rough condition that one is in. That one is probably in the $100-150 range. Ones in decent shape go for $200-350 in most cases. Usually towards the lower end of that. Immaculate ones can go for much more, but they are quite rare. The main problem is that ammunition is a PITA to make. So the demand for them just isn't there. With a cartridge gun, you can normally make brass. With a muzzle loader, you can just go buy powder and such. These require a paper cartridge with a primer inside the paper. So you are looking at lots of gluing and Forest Gumping things together to make it work. Not many people want to bother.

-Mb

Oh, I forgot to mention, yours is missing the rubber washer on the bolt head that seals the chamber. Yes, a rubber washer. That is another thing people try to find or replicate with varying levels of success...

[fuegoboy]

[bautino95]

Thanks everyone for the info. Fugoboy, if I decide to sell it I'll pm you.

[Enfield47]

Google paper cartridge for needle rifle and there are a couple of good videos showing how to roll your own cartridges.