LES ARMES DE NECESSITÉ DE LA GUERRE DE 1870

ThThe Franco-Prussian War of 1870 remains an overlooked chapter of history, largely overshadowed by the scale of the two subsequent world wars. Marked by a humiliating defeat that the nation sought to suppress, this conflict was nonetheless pivotal. It pitted France against a German coalition led by Prussia in a brief yet intense clash lasting from the summer of 1870 to the winter of 1871. From the prelude to the conflict through to the tragic episode of the Commune, this book chronicles the history of the small arms used by France during this dramatic period.
It showcases the weapons employed by the belligerents and details the models manufactured domestically out of necessity, while also covering the vast array of arms imported from abroad.
Following the fall of the Empire, a colossal industrial effort was launched to rearm France. Faced with the encirclement of the capital and dwindling resources, the government was forced to utilize every available means to defend Paris and arm the troops raised in the provinces. This book explores the history of these "weapons of necessity," born of the urgency of a war that had gone badly from the  start. With its coverage of period weapons, ammunition, and documents, this volume serves as an invaluable resource for history enthusiasts and collectors of French arms, offering a look at models never before presented.