Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by Tulle dated 1868 - Matching Serial R 58369 British Documents & Books these plates would pop out

these plates would pop out and create high-drag to slow the fall

The album is hardcover and features a dark green embossed front cover with Chinese Dragons  as well as a naval anchor with life saver ring that reads IN MEMORY OF MY CHINA CRUISE

however the fuze itself does still unscrew from the body

The "mobile" swas (hook crosses) on both sides are clear and still retain some of the original factory bright plating

Eighth United States Army Air Force

Original French Fusil Modèle 1866 Chassepot Needle Fire Rifle by Tulle dated 1868 - Matching Serial R 58369 British Documents & Books these plates would pop outOriginal 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