Very Rare British Commando captured French Gras Artillery carbine with letter of provenance

This is a very rare British Commando captured French Gras Artillery carbine. This carbine was captured by British commandos whist on duty in the Radfan mountains in South Yemen during 1966. We have a letter of provenance stating how the gun was aquired. The letter is from Flt. Lt. S.J.George who was the RAF pilot of a Wessex helicopter of 78 Squadron. Whilst on a routine patrol in the Redfan mountains his helicopter came under small arms fire from rebels below. The commandos on board wanted him to land so that they could deal with the rebels. As requested Flt. Lt. S.J.George did so and the commandos quickly dealt with the rebels. The two apprehended Arab youths were armed with two rifles, one of which is this one. On their return to Habilayn, the army base in Radfan valley, Flt. Lt. S.J.George was offered this carbine which he accepted. The letter also states that on his return to RAF Khormakser he took this carbine to the local armorer who drilled two holes in the under side of the barrel to render it incapable of ever being used in anger again. 

The carbine is a Gras Artillery carbine dated 1876 and is a version of the Gras Model Mle1874 infantry rifle. It is the shortest of the carbine variants of the Gras with a bayonet lug to fit the standard 1874 bayonet. It also has brass furniture unlike the iron fittings of the long rifle. 'M80' on the breech refers to the addition of a groove around the bolt-head to allow gas escape in the vent of a cartridge failure, a modification of 1880.

Note the three metal bands made to repair the stock and US modified canvas sling.

This historic and unique carbine is of an antique obsolete calibre and can therefore be owned live without any form of license. It has a full working action and can be cocked, stripped and dry fired.

It is being sold as a collectors piece only.