chassepot

American  

[shas-poh, shas-poh] / ˈʃæs poʊ, ʃasˈpoʊ /

noun

plural

chassepots

1. a breechloading rifle, closed with a sliding bolt, introduced into the French army after 1866.

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chassepot British  

/ ˈʃæspəʊ, ʃaspo /

noun

1. a breech-loading bolt-action rifle formerly used by the French Army

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Etymology

Origin of chassepot

1865–70; named after A. A. Chassepot (1833–1905), French mechanic, who invented it

Example Sentences

But when they saw him strip and repair a chassepot with no more tools than a pocket screw-driver and a nail file, they changed the fashion of their countenances.

From A Tatter of Scarlet Adventurous Episodes of the Commune in the Midi 1871 by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

The young man was wild with excitement; he fired so rapidly that his chassepot burned his fingers, notwithstanding the intense cold.

From The Downfall by Robins, E. P.

The Commission of Pardons awaited, chassepot in hand, the prey given up to them by the courts-martial.

From History of the Commune of 1871 by Lissagary, P.

The principal details of the chassepot are:—weight of rifle, 9 ℔ 5 oz.; length with bayonet, 6 ft.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 "Chariot" to "Chatelaine" by Various

Its only tenant was a sentinel, yellow with jaundice, who seized his chassepot with shaking hands and called a shrill "Qui Vive?"

From Lorraine A romance by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)