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

In the war of 1859 De Failly commanded a division, and in 1867 he defeated Garibaldi at Mentana, this action being the first in which the chassepot was used.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various

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

A few days after he had landed in Havre, he was marching away with a chassepot rifle on his shoulder and a knap-sack and blanket on his back.

From The Story of Paul Boyton Voyages on All the Great Rivers of the World by Boyton, Paul

Odious repetition of those words, "Order reigns in Warsaw," and "The chassepot has done wonders."

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

The chassepot, a new breech-loading rifle, immensely superior to the Prussian needle-gun, was issued; the artillery trains were thoroughly overhauled, and a new machine-gun, the mitrailleuse, from which much was expected, introduced.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various