Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle Dated 1873 - Matching Serial P 69598 Japanese Ordnance The design of the medal

The design of the medal approved for the award was from a contemporary serving soldier

of Middletown

The cork body of this helmet is covered by blue cloth and all the mounts are gilded brass showing some wear

draft card

Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle Dated 1873 - Matching Serial P 69598 Japanese Ordnance The design of the medalOriginal 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 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. The Chassepot rifle of 1866 was a single shot bolt action rifle and