Reffy Mitrailleuse 1867

An animation of the Reffye Mitrailleuse of 1867. Multi-barrel Mitrailleuse (grapeshot shooters) were originally developed in Belgium in 1851. The Reffye Mitrailleuse, developed for the French Army in 1865, had 25 barrels and fired 13mm bullets. Firing rate was between 75 and 125 rounds per minute; the animation shows the rather cumbersome loading and firing process. France fielded 190 Reffye Mitrailleuse during the Franco-Prussian war (1870-72) but the tactical use of these machine guns had not been worked out, and they were rarely used effectively. There are excellent articles in Wikipedia on the Reffye Mitrailleuse giving the history and tactics of this gun. I have published other animations of Victorian-era machine guns on YouTube (vbbsmyt), and for further information google for Victorian ship models, and anti torpedo boat guns.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Mitrailleuse
• Reffye Mitrailleuse 1867
• Machine Gun
• Montigny

[vbbsmyt]

Cinema 4D.

Time has shown the superiority of the Gatling design, but before 1874 Gatlings were very heavy and needed artillery carriages to transport the gun and the large quantity of ammunition needed, which limited mobility. 1000 rounds would weigh 1 cwt (50 Kg) and this had to be transported by horse drawn wagon or mule in those days, so supplying the ammo needed for a rapid firing gun was a problem (at least on land)

[andrew881thebest]

however, respect baby, this is first automatic weapon ever ever made. when you see rambo shooting his full auto m60, think to this grand grand dad.

[andrew881thebest]

If you think, now a single soldier with an automatic rifle has more or less same firepower of this piece of artillery, if not more (since reloading a rifle costs less time than reloading this Mitralleuse).

[Janshevik]

This gun is pure geometry.

[Nunatag1]

Very cool animation, only too bad the frenchie soldiers didn't know how to use it properly, or perhaps not too bad after all...

[fm192429]

Ce mécanisme était un chef d'oeuvre.

[yehchidatw]

The plate, what an intelligent idea it is ! Simple and great.

[ARP7777777]

@grou28 The Prussians had better artillery, and the French Second Empire forces used their Reffyes like they were artillery, not machine guns.

[grou28]

We had this MG and we lost????????? We are really fucking stupid French bastard...

[TheFinlandnator]

Art!