Like its opponent, the Dreyse “Needle Fire” rifle—which first appeared ... the Fusil Modèle 1866 (more commonly referred to as the “Chassepot” after its designer, Antoine Alphonse ...

began adopting the Dreyse needle rifle. However, despite testing and trials by other nations, the Dreyse remained in service only in German hands. "The 1866 model Chassepot rifle really marks the ...