{"product_id":"original-antique-french-carabine-buffalo-lebel-cadet-and-school-training-rifle-by-manufacture-francaise-in-44-russian-serial-25015","title":"Original Antique French Carabine Buffalo-Lebel Cadet and School Training Rifle by Manufacture Française in .44 Russian - Serial 25015","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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\u0026amp;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 We do not know if the rifle was originally made in this chambering, or converted later.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:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANUFACTURE FRANÇAISE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD'ARMES ET CYCLES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDE ST ÉTIENNE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCARABINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM (Logo) F\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBUFFALO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e[LEBEL]\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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 \u003cstrong\u003eACIER ● FIN\u003c\/strong\u003e, with no other markings that we can see. The bottom of the receiver by the fore grip is marked with serial \u003cstrong\u003e25015\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very interesting example of a late 19th Century Training rifle in a caliber not usually seen, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1895\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .44 Russian\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 26 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 41 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Single Shot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44640740180037,"sku":"ONJR25OCGA080","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OCGA080.jpg?v=1771009702","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-antique-french-carabine-buffalo-lebel-cadet-and-school-training-rifle-by-manufacture-francaise-in-44-russian-serial-25015","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}