Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting example of the "Carabine Buffalo-Lebel" training rifle, often called the "Buffalo Carbine. Most examples we can find were designed for 6mm / .22 cartridges, but this example looks to be in .44 S&W Russian, which we have confirmed by measurements and fitting a cartridge. This was a popular low power cartridge in the late 19th century, and easily available. We do not know if the rifle was originally made in this chambering, or converted later. The bolt face is definitely for a centerfire cartridge, and we can see no signs that it originally had any type of rimfire firing pin. The top of bolt is marked by the manufacturer:-

MANUFACTURE FRANÇAISE
D'ARMES ET CYCLES
DE ST ÉTIENNE

This company was originally founded as a mail order operation in 1885, and by the 1890s was producing various small arms. With the development of the "modern" style bicycle, they also began to manufacture those, and added it to the name. The company would later shorten its name to "Manufrance" in 1911, and it is this name that most people recognize. The rear of the bolt has the model name around the company logo, though the last line looks to be missing:

CARABINE
M (Logo) F
BUFFALO
[LEBEL]

These markings are quite large, indicating earlier production, as the later more advanced samples would have smaller and shorter markings, which were cheaper to add. The left side of the barrel is marked ACIER ● FIN, with no other markings that we can see. The bottom of the receiver by the fore grip is marked with serial 25015, though we can see other numbers on either side of it. The serial number is also marked on the left side of both barrel bands. This rifle looks to have definitely had a long and interesting life,

Condition of the training rifle is very good, showing a lovely oxidized patina from age and use. It looks like it was originally blued, and the bolt does show some of the original finish, though it also does show some possible repairs, so it was probably refinished at some point. The action works well, though it definitely is finicky, with the extractor falling out relatively easily. This is partly due to the design, which allows the bolt to easily be removed from the round slot holds the bottom rail in place. Just pushing the trigger forward retracts a small hook, and this is also the only thing that holds the extractor in place. The bolt may also require some light taps from a rawhide mallet to move all the way back. Definitely an action designed for use with relatively lower power ammunition in training.

We checked the bore, and it is very good condition, still showing clear rifling and a partly bright finish. There is definitely past oxidation and fouling, now removed, and the bore does get dark towards the muzzle. The stocks are in very nice condition with a lovely color and a bit of "flame" to the grain. We can see some past repairs near the rear of the receiver, and also by the top of the butt stock. We do not see any repairs on the fore stock, but it does show some gouges from misuse on the bottom.

A very interesting example of a late 19th Century Training rifle in a caliber not usually seen, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1895
Caliber: .44 Russian
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 41 1/2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: Single Shot

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.