french self loading rifles 1900 - 1918
TRANSCRIPT
Ideal versus reality.French approach to
Smallarms Modernisation 1900 – 1918
Martin Coupe
Grand Intentions
The whole French army to have self loading rifles by 1914/15
High Hopes
Clair brothers of St Etienne
STA
Section Technique de L’Artillerie 1
High Hopes
Clair Clair
High HopesSTA
Unrealised Ambitions
The realisation that the French army would not have self-loading rifles.
The Reason Why.
Testing Commissions 1897-1910Berthier 1904
Renewed Interest
The Great War and a revival of research into self-loading rifles.
Renewed InterestMeunier with recoiling barrel
Renewed InterestMeunier with 15 round magazine
Genesis of Model 1917
Evolution
Model 1917
becomes
Model 1918
EvolutionModel 1917Model 1918
Evolution
The end of Model 1918 DevelopmentVerdun - Cote 304 1917
Genesis of Chauchat
Chauchat Modele 1915 CSRG
Long recoil system
Frommer
Or
Browning?
Chauchat: Long recoil system
Chauchat Modified
Modifications
For
U.S.
and
Belgian service
Chauchat Problems
And
Chauchat
Postives!
Ideal versus reality; French approach to Smallarms Modernisation
1900 – 1918
• Difficulties and weaknesses
• Enterprising and interesting designs