Manufacture D’armes De Saint-étienne Lebel Model 1886 M93
8x50mmR 8mm Lebel
Very Good Condition
1919 Production
All numbers appear matching

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Lebel Model 1886: The Lebel Model 1886 is an 8x50mmR Lebel bolt action rifle developed and made by the French for infantry service. These rifles were adopted by the French in 1887. The rifle uses a tube-fed magazine and feeds up to 8 cartridges. It also features a  magazine cut-off. The Lebel is most famously known for being the first military rifle that was adopted to use smokeless powder ammunition. This was new concept was invented by French chemist Paul Vielle, and utilized a flat nose 8mm bullet developed by Colonel Nicolas Level. The Lebel rifle is known for its very durable design it was built to ensure that accidental detentations would not happen. What is interesting about the French Lebel rifle is due to the fact that it entered service during Colonial France it spread throughout the world and saw extensive use in wars like the Boxer Rebellion, Italo-Ethopian War, World War I, Franco Turkish War, World War II, War in Afghanistan. A few different factories produced this firearm which included Saint-Etienne, Chatallerault, and Tulle. It is said that the Level was designed to be backwards compatible so it could use the existing old parts from storage. Allegedley these rifles could use the straight trigger and horizontal bolt action from the French Army’s single shot 11mm Mle 1874 Gras. The rifle could also use the tubular magazine from the French Navy’s Mle 1878. It is said about 3,450,000 Units were produced inbetween 1887-1920 and many of these rifles ended up in Africa or the Middle East.

The Mle 1886 Lebel pictured is the rifle for sale. This Lebel is in very good condition. It appears to have been produced in 1919 by Saint Etienne in France. This rifle is chambered in 8mm Lebel. It looks like the rifle is refinished but looks like a period correct factory re-finish. As stated this rifle is in very good condition, what stood out to us most was the barrel. The bore condition is excellent of course there is some wear there is some light pitting but it is very minimal. We noted the rifling is very crisp and the lands and grooves look fantastic for the rifles age. The bluing was refinished and is over former pitting on the metal, however the finish is very even throughout the rifle. The wood stock and wood handguard appear it great shape and are full of finish. The bolt and bolt face look great and the action still feels nice, strong, and smooth. All serial numbers appear to be matching.

Manufacture D’armes de Saint-Etienne
Mle 1886
M93
T1919N
MN
N
(B)
(L)