From my friend in LA:
Here is a very detailed diagrammatic presentation of how the Reffy Mitrailleuse (French machine gun) worked. The French had 144 of them in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 although they did employ them correctly. Other clips do the same with the Gatling gun, etc. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO3haWrRtrY
Contrary to rumor that is no accessory tube on the weapon to store white flags.