French Gras Cadet rifle

[Huttles94]

I recently purchased what I first thought was a standard Gras rifle, I bought it off the internet and while the pictures were not too great, the price was what I thought was decent and so I bought the rifle. I noticed in the ad the rifle did not have a bayonet lug and just thought it was a civilian model. Well when it turned up I was surprised to find it was smaller than I expected. So I search round on the internet and found that there is very little information on these cadet rifles. I did find a youtuber who has one, and that is it.

The rifle is basically a 3/4 size Gras. I dont even know the calibre of the rifle! Operates the same was as a standard Gras and dissembles the same way.

Next to no markings on the gun. Apart from a serial number, there are some markings on the underside of the barrel, mainly a Crown over E marking.

The gun itself is complete apart from the cleaning rod. There is some evidence of woodworm and some rot under the front barrel band unfortunately. Though the rest of the woodwork seems to be solid.

Cant find anything about these guns so if someone who might know a thing or two could enlighten me on these old rifle, that would be great.

https://imgur.com/gallery/SYYEiLo

*Some pictures are mine, some are from the sellers ad*

[kennyc]

from a friend who has some experience with these things,

"Looks like an official “Gras de Cadet”, especially with the T1881 barrel date and lack of bayonet lug. It should take a shortened 11mm cadet round. Here is a nice report (in French) but google translate might help out: https://www.armes-ufa.com/spip.php?article450"

translated page http://translate.google.com/translat...p%3Farticle450