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