It was developed from 1872 to 1874 as a response to the German adoption of the Mauser Model 1871 metallic cartridge rifle.

[3] The French Army set up a study group in September 1872 that chose the metallic over the paper cartridge.

Colonel Gras proposed a modification of the Chassepot to accept metal cartridges and on 7 July 1874, the French Army chose his design over the M1871 Beaumont rifle.

It became the favourite weapon of Greek guerrilla fighters,[4] from the various revolts against the Ottoman Empire to the resistance against the Axis, acquiring legendary status.

The name entered the Greek language, and grades (γκράδες) was a term colloquially applied to all rifles during the first half of the 20th century.