Chassepot Bullet, Cast

Components — Chassepot

Fusil Chassepot Modèle 1866 pattern. Flat-nose, base-ring obturation, pure cast lead. Accurate Molds No. 46-365C. Paper patch bullet, sold as cast in resin-printed protective boxes of 25.

Arm Fusil Chassepot Modèle 1866

Mould Accurate Molds No. 46-365C

Weight 25g (386 grains)

Nose Profile Flat (orig.: domed/swaged)

Base Raised ring, engages rifling

Patch Paper, tallow/wax coated

Condition As cast — no cleaning or lube

Quantity 25 per resin box

Chassepot Bullet, Cast

Accurate Molds 46-365C · Unlubricated · Per 25

$25.00

per 25 bullets ($1.00 each)

Qty:

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In stock — add to order above

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Historical Background

The Chassepot bullet was among the most carefully engineered projectiles of the needle-fire era. Gas sealing was achieved by a raised ring at the base of the bullet which engaged the rifling directly, combined with the soft lead of the bullet body which obturated under the pressure of firing. A paper patch coated with a tallow and beeswax mixture completed the system, providing both a gas-tight seal between bullet and bore and the lubrication necessary for consistent performance and bore maintenance.

The original bullet was swaged rather than cast, producing a domed nose profile and precise dimensional control. French military manufacture operated to tight tolerances, and the 11mm bore of the Chassepot required a bullet that would chamber reliably from the paper cartridge while engaging the rifling fully upon firing. The combination of base ring, soft lead body, and paper patch was the mechanism that made this possible across the varied conditions of field service.

These bullets are cast from the Accurate Molds 46-365C die cut to Chassepot dimensions and have been confirmed to function correctly in the Modèle 1866 action when assembled into cartridges built to original specifications and dimensions.

Materials & Construction

Cast from pure lead with no antimony or hardening alloy. Bullets are sold as cast — no tumble cleaning or post-processing is applied. The surface finish visible in the photograph is the natural result of casting from the Accurate Molds 46-365C die and is consistent with period production practice.

No separate lubrication is required or appropriate. When used in assembled cartridges, the paper patch is coated with a tallow and wax mixture during assembly, which provides all necessary lubrication for the bore.

Packed in a resin-printed protective box of 25. The box is designed to prevent the bullets from contacting one another during shipping, protecting the base ring from deformation that could affect the engagement with the rifling. Base condition is critical to the function of this bullet and the packaging reflects that.

A note on the nose profile: the original Chassepot bullet was swaged with a domed nose. The Accurate Molds 46-365C die, produced by CNC, yields a flat nose as a consequence of that manufacturing process. This has no effect on function or on the base-ring obturation mechanism for which this bullet is primarily valued.

Specifications

Intended Arm	Fusil Chassepot Modèle 1866
Bore	11mm
Mould	Accurate Molds No. 46-365C
Cast Weight	25g (386 grains)
Nose Profile	Flat (orig.: domed/swaged)
Base Profile	Raised ring, engages rifling
Patch	Paper, tallow/wax coated (applied at assembly)
Material	Pure lead, no alloy
Condition	As cast — no cleaning or lubrication applied
Packaging	Resin-printed protective box
Quantity per Order	25 bullets
Price	$25.00 per box of 25 ($1.00 each)