More M1853/67 French "Tabatiere" Dragoon Rifle

M1853/67 French Dragoon Tabatière Rifle GENERALLY:  The "Tabatiere" (a French term that means "snuffbox", because the conversion block reminded the French of a snuffbox of the times) is a Snider variant adopted by the French to convert their Mle 1853-54  (and also their Mle 1822) muzzle loading rifles to cartridge breach loaders.  The conversion system is plainly "borrowed" from Snider (conveniently without the necessity of paying royalties).  The system was used to convert no less than 4 distinct rifles to breach loaders:  The Mle 1853-54 Infantry rifle, the Mle 1853 Dragoon (slightly shorter, otherwise about identical, see photo above and below), the Mle 1859 Carabine de Chasseur, (differeing quite a bit in length, caliber, being 18.2mm, nosecap, 2 bands instead of 3, sights and mounting a sword bayonet on a barrel mounted lug and tenon rather than a spike bayonet.  The Carabine also carried a different ram/cleaning rod) and the Mle 1822 infantry musket.  The conversions were made after the adoption of the Mle 1866 Chasspot (q.v. Mle 1866-74 Gras) and after seeing the success of the Snider as well as being mindful of the Prussion campaigns against the Danes in 1864 and Austria in 1866.  Because of it's large, obsolecent calibre and relatively weak action it was quickly relegated to rear eshelon troops and was substantially withdrawn from service altogether by the mid-1870's.  Most Tabatieres were discarded or converted to shotguns (of which there are quite a few ... the "Zulu" shotguns often seen as decorators at gunshows). PHOTO:  The rifle shown is a Mle 1867 Tabatiere fusil de dragon (Dragoon rifle).  It is virtually identical to the infantry rifle but is approximately 4 inches shorter.  (The Carabine de Chasseur, Mle 1859/67, is a noticeably different variety and is detailed in a separate page, linked here and also noted below). DISTINGUISHING CHARECTERISTICS:  The Tabatiere is a very large calibre (17.8mm) conversion arm using a system similar to but different from the Snider conversion of the Enfield muskets.  Because of the large calibre, the area behind the breech block is deeply cut out to allow for clearance of the large cartridge.  Except for the Mle 1822/67, the actions are back-action.  The Mle 1822/67 is forward action, and the receiver is generally bronze rather than iron.  The hammer is so distinctly French that it's impossible to miss a Tabatiere, notwithstanding any other features.  Except for the Carabine de Chasseur, the nosecap on all varieties is elaborate, and very similar to the Belgian Albini-Braendlin.   FURTHER READINGS: (* means all who are seriously interested in this area should have!) **La grande aventure des fusils reglementaires francais, Henri Vuillemin, Gazette des armes, 1996, pgs 23-30 *Rifles of the World , John Walter, DBI Books, 1993, pg 318. *The History and Development of Small Arms Ammunition, George A. Hoyem, VOL II-Centerfire Primitive and Martial Long Arms, Armory Publications, Tacoma, 1982. *Military Rifle and Machine Gun Cartridges, Jean Huon, Ironside, Alexandria, VA, 1988, Pg 255-256. Small Arms of the World, W.H.B.Smith, Stackpole, many revised editions since 1960.                                                               MORE   The Mle 1859/67Carabine de Chasseur is a different enough variety that it is being considered on a separate page.  Please click the link for this model.     Mle 1853/67 Tabatiere Infantry and Dragoon Rifle: