#franco-prussian

French vintage postcard

Sword bayonet of a Chassepot Needle Gun

Cocking lever on a Bavarian Werder Artillery Pistol that loads with a mechanism similar to the Peabody system used on Martini-Henry rifles.  These pistols, and related rifles, were some of the few guns used the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 that chambered metal cartridges. Ammunition was somewhat scarce though, and if the Bavarian units ran out of cartridges they were off to the beer halls.

Unit markings on a Bavarian Werder Artillery Pistol. This pistol loads like a Peabody or Martini-Henry rifle.  It was one of the few guns used in the Franco-Prussian war that used a metal cartridge.

Loading an Austrian Werndl Rifle

Franco Prussian war era Bavarian Werder Artillery Pistol

The long view, French style

The Werder “artillery” pistol had a Peabody-Martini like action to accept large single cartridges.  The Bavarian Werder pistols and rifles were arguably the most advanced small arms of the Franco Prussian war.  The main combatants were still using bolt action needle guns that used paper cartridges.