In the mid-19th century, many nations updated their obsolete muzzleloading military arms with breechloading conversions. In France, though, this conversion project extended the life of many former flintlock muskets that had already been updated to percussion priming. This unique, long-lived military arm was known informally as the "Tabatière." Watch our "American Rifleman Television" segment above to see the details of this unique small arm.

"By 1866, the French had developed one of the most modern military firearms of the period, the Chassepot," American Rifleman Field Editor Garry James said. "However, The French were not producing Chassepots in enough numbers, and like many, many other countries, decided, 'Well, we've got a bunch of these old muskets and rifles on hand, let's go ahead and modify them to the modern breechloading system.'"

While many of the guns modified were earlier Model 1857 percussion rifles, some of the arms were Model 1822 flintlock muskets that had been updated in the 1840s with percussion bolsters and rifled barrels. Both types of arms were fitted with the Snider-style hinged breechblock.

"For the collector, the Tabatière, you know, represents a neat period in collecting and evolution of firearms," NRA Museums Director Phil Schreier said. "You know, you can put one together with the trapdoor Springfield, the Snider, and you have, you know, some of the transitional guns that made their way from muzzleloading to breechloading."

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

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