French Lebel M1886/93 Infantry Rifle …………….. (F 1266)

WW1 French Infantry Rifle by Lebel

Produced by the State owned Arsenal, St Etienne this was the first rifle, across the board, to use smokeless powder.  It gained the French an immediate advantage over all the other militaries of the world.  However, by the time it finally came into full production, some powers had already caught up.  Much of its design is influence from  the Kropatschek stable, namely the long tubular magazine below the barrel. This made the rifle an eight shot weapon, but retained all the other disadvantages of such a weapon, like a shifting balance as the tube emptied out.

It was a sold design but a little too complicated for its own good.  Once again, many of the built in features, became dirt traps in the mud of the First World War.  Overall the rifle is 51.1/4″ in length.  The round barrel is a nominal 31.1/4″ long and the trigger Pull is 13.1/2″ to center.  Its a long weapon but when you add a bayonet to it it just gets longer at 72.1/2″  Chambered in 8 x 51R (proofed 8 x 50) it has an eight shot magazine.  Many of the parts have non-matching numbers but the main number on the barrel adjacent to the action is “H 92326″.  Short straight-arm two piece, bolt with non-matching number to action, on bolt stem.  the short stubby bolt arm could make the rifle difficult to open in freezing wet conditions.

Characteristic slab sided action marked on the LHS; “MANUFACTURE D’ARMES / St Etienne”  “Mle 1886 M93”  The solid action requires a two piece stock set.  A straight-wrist stock with a long, finger grooved fore-end.  Magazine selector switch on underside of the action, protruding on the lower right. Pulled to the rear it allows feed from the tube; forward it cuts off feed.  There are various proof and inspection marks upon the LHS of the exterior chamber and on the RHS the following; “MA  S  1889”  The bolt stub is marked “8124”.  The rear sight sits just infront of the knox form and is graduated up to 24, with the improved barrel strap mounting. Barrel exposed from there forward.

The block on which the front sight is mounted doubles as part of the bayonet mount.  Front band has the stacking hook and socket for bayonet.  Mid band includes sling swivel below.  Rear sling swvel mounted near rear under butt-stock.  All the timber has a similar tone and polised but nicely patinated finish, however the number on the RHS of the butt does not match.  Steel shaped butt-plate. Croos bolt in writs and very straight trigger in steel trigger bow.  The metal surfaces also have gained a pleasing patina with a complete lack of colour.  The only hint of bluing remains in the hard to get to areas around the rear sight mount, otherwise, one might beleive the whole rifle was issued in the white!

A fine collectors piece and a difficult one to easily acess these days. Good non-pitted bolt face.  The bore although dark in the grooves has strong lands with reasonable deffinition. Soft pitting in one small area towards the muzzle.  Looks like it could still pull of a reasonable group.  No refinishing to report – a highly original Classic Rifle.

FAC Required  –  Stock No’ F 1266

£ 1650.

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