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Hello,

Please could I ask if a knowledgeable member might know of the exact length of the firing pin/needle of the Chassepot 1866?

I purchased a Chassepot Rifle which had a broken firing pin/needle. Finding a replacement has been much harder than I thought, and so a very helpful gunsmith has offered to make one for me but they need the full length dimensions. I could make a guess based on what should appear from the end of the bolt and through a card base and the length of a percussion cap, however I would much rather be more precise.

If any of you might be able to let me know this I would be very grateful indeed.

Many thanks for any help.

E.

Hello and welcome!

Are you a member of the HBSA?

Why not introduce yourself on the New Members forum?

Hello Dromia,

I regret that I am not a member of the HSBA..yet! I really should join, especially as I had a great chat with one of the HSBA's very informative and friendly members in Fultons the other week. I am member of the MLAGB which is keeping me busy during this summer. My Chassepot is a slight divergence of interest into loading from the other end!

Regards,

E

OK, I'll ask on their members forum for you.

Salut,

Congratulations on your Chassepot purchase !!

Cartry is probably the best man for spares of any French military weapons. He does have an amazing stock. Have a look but they do have an original Chassepot firing pin for € 40 ( AIGUILLE de chassepot plus porte-aiguille Réf. 3 ). http://www.cartry-arme.com/pdf/gras.pdf

I checked for you on this French auction site . You will have to registre to bid .
There is an original one for sale for € 45 . I know it is more expensive but it will make your life easier as they take Pay-pal . http://www.naturabuy.fr/Porte-aiguille- ... 95595.html

or a repro http://www.naturabuy.fr/Aiguille-Chasse ... 50179.html but you'll have to do a bank transfer costing £ 10

Froggy, Thank you so much for your very helpful information. I have (hopefully!) just purchased one from the auction site using the Pay Pal method. Much use of 'Google Translate' and jiggling between screens and I think I have made a purchase! With an original I can now get reproduction copies made as spares and get this fabulous historic rifle making smoke again.

Dromia - thank you very much too for your help! I am very grateful to you both.

sign92

Regards,

E

you welkom , I am glad you found what you needed to get that chassepot talking again, enjoy

The best thing to use seems to be plastic moulding ejector pins they work well are easy enough to modify & significantly cheaper!!!
the picture below shows from top to bottom unmodified ejector pin 100x1.5mm with 3x1.5mm head, ejector pin shortened to 76mm & sharpened, blunt pin that was originally in my chassepot.

I purchased some pins from a dealer in Switzerland the quality is not very good but copied them for length I canot find my reference but think the original length is shorter 73.5mm.



Enigma do you shoot at Wedgnock?

Regards

David

Sorry correction to post above.
I purchased some pins from a dealer in Sweden the quality is not very good ........

David