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Military Rifles in the Age of Transition
(Non-U.S.) Black Powder, Metallic Cartidge, Military Rifles
1865 to 1890
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M1878 French Naval Kropatschek
(Fusil de Marine M1878)
M1878 French Naval Kropatschek (Fusil de Marine M1878)
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The French Navy was slower to give up its Chassepot rifles, despite the challenges in maintaining linen combustible cartridges in humid corrosive conditions. They tested out multiple repeating rifle systems along with the Kropatschek (American Hotchkiss Rifle & Norwegian Krag-Peterson), however it was the Kropatschek Rifle that earned the favor of the French Rifle Commission. On June 30, 1878, the French Navy sanctioned the Kropatscheck rifle with the designation of Fusil Mle 1878-Marine.
DEVELOPMENT
For more information on the development of the M1878 Kropatschek rifle, please see the Austrian M1881 Kropatschek page.
GENERALLY
This rifle, designed by Alfred von Kropatschek, was adopted by the French Navy to replace the Chasspot needle‑fire rifle, the immediate predecessor to the M1874 Gras. This was the first commercially successful Kropatschek. It incorporated the basic design of the Chasspot/Gras bolt and receiver system mated with a tubular magazine of Winchester configuration (which had been proven in a European military rifle, the M1869 Swiss Vetterli, which adopted a variation of the Winchester magazine). Of interest is that the tube of the tubular magazine is made of brass rather than steel, and, like the Swiss Vetterli, housed the magazine completely within the wood of the forestock.
M1878 Naval Kropatschek (Fusil de Marine M1878)
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Very similar to the French Chasspot and Gras, it is a repeater with a magazine cut‑off hidden by the bolt handle when the bolt is closed (c.f., M1884 Kropatschek). The rifle has two barrel bands and a comprehensive nosecap that incorporates the barrel, forward end of the magazine tube, cleaning rod slot on the left side and bayonet stud on the right side. The cleaning rod channel is imbedded along the left side of the forestock, a techniques followed by the M1866 Portuguese Kropatschek, which was also manufactured by Steyr.
Bolt open showing the magazine cut off lever. on French M1878 Kropatschek
End cap on French M1878 Kropatschek
OPERATING MECHANISM
The French M1878 Kropatschek mechanism is identical to the M1881 Austrian Kropatschek, please view that section for more information. The French M1884 Kropatschek is identical to the M1886 Portuguese Kropatschek, please review that page for more information.
MARKINGS
The left side of the receiver flat is well marked in block letters “MANUFACTURE d’Mr DeWERNDL,” below which is the arsenal and place of manufacture, “Steyr-Autriche.” in very attractive script, to the right of which is the model identification, “Mle 1878 Marine” (French for “Naval”). The year of manufacture also appears on the right side of the knoxform as well as the bolt parts. Interestingly, and rather unusually for a rifle of this period, no provision was made for a cleaning rod. The receiver is also Steyr marked (see photo below).
SPECIFICATIONS, STATISTICS & DATA
M1878 Naval Kropatschek (Fusil de Marine M1878)
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Overall Length: 1243 mm (48.95 in)
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Weight, empty: 4350 grams (9.59 lbs)
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Barrel Length: 665 mm (26.2 in)
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Rifling: 4-groove; RH, concentric
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Sight: Ramp-and-leaf, graduated from up to 1,800 m (1,970 yds)
SHORT RIFLES, CARBINES & SPECIAL VERSIONS
None
BAYONET
M1878 épée bayonet
CARTRIDGE
Utilized the French M1874 Gras series of ammunition, please go to that page for more information.
MANUFACTURING DATA
About 25,000 M1878 Naval Kropatscheks are believed to have been manufactured by Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft of Steyr between 1878 and 1880.
UTILIZATION BY OTHER COUNTRIES
Spain
The Royal Spanish Government procured 746 M1878 Naval Kropatschek rifles from OEWG.
Chile
According to the OEWG contract book, Chile purchased 746 M1878 Naval Kropatschek rifles. There is also a contract in 1889 for 100 Kropatschek rifle stocks.
During WW1 M1878 Naval Kropatscheks were sent to both Russia & Greece for aid.
PREDECESSOR & FOLLOW-ON RIFLES
Predecessor Rifle: Mle1866 Chassepot Rifle
Follow-On Rifle(s): M1874 Gras
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Photos of M1878 Naval Kropatschek provided by John Littrell
REFERENCES
Die Kropatschek-Repetiersysteme in Österreich-Ungarn (FassungVIII, 2003) - Heino Hintermeier
Page built February 6, 1999
Updated: Nov 6, 2021
Updated Jan 28, 2024