A Mitrailleuse, the French 25 barrel "Canon à Balles", better known as the Reffye mitrailleuse, was adopted in great secrecy in

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It became the first rapid-firing weapon deployed as standard equipment by any army in a major conflict. This happened during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. A steel block containing twenty-five 13 mm (.51 caliber) center-fire cartridges was locked against the breech before firing.

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Size: 7556px × 5793px
Location: France
Photo credit: © Walker Art Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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