By the mid-19th century many major militaries were beginning the hunt for a reliable and robust breechloading system. France was no exception with a number of systems trialled during the 1850s, following the Prussian adoption of the Dreyse rifle.
Today we’re lucky enough to be examining one of France’s early breechloaders with some interesting features – the Arcelin… and its impressive, but excessive sabre-bayonet!
