Shooting a Reffye Mitrailleuse (Reproduction)

Published on May 20, 2015
Duration: 1:20

This video provides a demonstration of a reproduction Reffye Mitrailleuse, a French volley gun from the 1860s. Expert insights cover its 13mm caliber, crank-operated breech loading mechanism, and its limited effectiveness during the Franco-Prussian War. The demonstration focuses on the firing sequence and the mechanical operation of the weapon.

Quick Summary

The Reffye Mitrailleuse is a French volley gun from the 1860s, firing 13mm rounds via a crank-operated breech-loading system for rapid volley fire. Despite its advanced design, its tactical deployment during the Franco-Prussian War was ineffective, failing to significantly influence the conflict's outcome.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Credits
  2. 00:09Mechanism and Firing Demonstration
  3. 00:30Technical and Historical Context (13mm Caliber)
  4. 00:53Combat History (Franco-Prussian War)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Reffye Mitrailleuse?

The Reffye Mitrailleuse is a French volley gun developed in the 1860s. It features a crank-operated breech-loading system firing 13mm ammunition, designed for rapid volley fire, though its combat effectiveness was limited.

What caliber does the Reffye Mitrailleuse fire?

The Reffye Mitrailleuse fires 13mm caliber ammunition. This caliber was considered a state secret of the highest order when the weapon was developed in the 1860s.

How did the Reffye Mitrailleuse perform in the Franco-Prussian War?

During the 1871 Franco-Prussian War, French forces did not utilize the Mitrailleuse effectively. Its deployment failed to significantly impact the war's outcome, despite its advanced design for the era.

What is the mechanism of the Reffye Mitrailleuse?

The Reffye Mitrailleuse is a crank-operated breech-loading firearm. A rear crank mechanism is used to close and lock the breech, allowing for rapid volley fire.

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