{"product_id":"original-french-lebel-fusil-modele-1886-m93-infantry-rifle-by-chatellerault-arsenal-dated-1888-with-excellent-bore-matching-serial-b-56475","title":"Original French Lebel Fusil Modèle 1886 M93 Infantry Rifle by Châtellerault Arsenal Dated 1888 with Excellent Bore - Matching Serial B 56475","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The Lebel Model 1886 rifle (French: \u003cem\u003eFusil Modèle 1886 dit \"Fusil Lebel\u003c\/em\u003e\") is also known as the \"\u003cem\u003eFusil Mle 1886 M93\u003c\/em\u003e\", after a bolt modification was added in 1893. It is an 8 mm bolt action infantry rifle that entered service in the French Army in 1887. It is a repeating rifle that can hold eight rounds in its forestock tube magazine, one round in the transporter plus one round in the chamber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lebel rifle has the distinction of being the first military firearm to use smokeless powder ammunition. The new propellant powder, \"Poudre B,\" was nitrocellulose-based and had been invented in 1884 by French chemist Paul Vieille. Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Lebel contributed a flat nosed 8 mm full metal jacket bullet (\"Balle M,\" or \"Balle Lebel\"). Twelve years later, in 1898, a solid brass pointed (spitzer) and boat-tail bullet called \"Balle D\" was retained for all 8mm Lebel ammunition. Each case was protected against accidental percussion inside the tube magazine by a primer cover and by a circular groove around the primer cup which caught the tip of the following pointed bullet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing an oversized bolt with front locking lugs and a massive receiver, the Lebel rifle was a durable design capable of long range performance. In spite of early obsolete features, such as its tube magazine and the shape of 8mm Lebel rimmed ammunition, the Lebel rifle remained the basic weapon of French line infantry during World War I (1914–1918). Altogether, 3.45 million Lebel rifles were produced by the three French state factories between 1887 and 1916. In 1893 the design received a minor update in the form of \u003cspan\u003emodified bolt head which directed hot gases from ruptured cartridge cases away from the shooter's face, improving safety on the first design to use smokeless powder.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left side of the receiver on this fine example is marked\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e with a mostly clear \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMANUFACTURE D'ARMES \/ \u003cem\u003eChâtellerault\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e marking, and to the right \u003cstrong\u003eMLE 1886 M93,\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating manufacture at the government arsenal at \u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChâtellerault\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. The \"M93\" is a separate stamping, indicating the receiver was produced before the modification was introduced in 1893, so it is definitely a \u003cstrong\u003ePre-1899 Antique\u003c\/strong\u003e. It would have been marked when it was updated with the bolt modification. The rifle has arsenal proofs on virtually all parts, and also is marked \u003cstrong\u003eMA C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e 1888\u003c\/strong\u003e indicating that it was produced in \u003cstrong\u003e1891\u003c\/strong\u003e, and later updated with the bolt modification after 1893. The rifle has serial number \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eB\u003c\/em\u003e 56475\u003c\/strong\u003e on the barrel, receiver floor plate, bolt, under side of the fore stock, and the left side of the butt stock. That makes this a fantastic \u003cstrong\u003e\"All Matching\"\u003c\/strong\u003e example, which are very rare due to how often parts were swapped when these were reissued for WWI. \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eResearch indicates that \"B-Series\" serial numbers from Châtellerault were made in 1888. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition of the rifle is very good, though it definitely has seen a good amount of service, indicated by the dents, dings, scratches, and other wear on the stock. There is a dowel repair through the fore stock under the rear sight, which we have seen on many other examples. The butt stock still has a faint original cartouche on the right side, and has some nice \"curl\" figuring to the grain. We noticed two small cuts on the butt stock at the rear of the trigger guard, added for a reason we do not understand. The metalwork shows a nice aged patina from cleaning to remove dirt and oxidation, and now has a bit of matte finish, though there is much of the original bluing on the front barrel bands. We did note that it has not been painted black, as many examples were when sent into colonial service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves, and it is possibly the best bore we have ever seen on a Lebel. It does not look to have seen much use in service at all. The rifle cycles correctly and dry fires, and the magazine cutoff functions correctly, though we have no way to check to see if the magazine still feeds. The rear sight is present and fully functional, as are both sling swivels. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade famous by the GARY COOPER Movie of \u003cem\u003eBEAU GESTE\u003c\/em\u003e, all about the French Foreign Legion, this was the rifle of the time in the later 1880's. A very nice Mle 1886 M93 Lebel rifle, fully cleaned and ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1888 - updated later\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: 8×50mmR Lebel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarrel Length: 31.5 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 51.2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Bolt-Action\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: 8 round tube magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44975027191877,"sku":"ONJR26MABS003","price":2695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/D1290E7B-0BA2-401D-8368-BDF4352BCF9F.jpg?v=1778094613","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-french-lebel-fusil-modele-1886-m93-infantry-rifle-by-chatellerault-arsenal-dated-1888-with-excellent-bore-matching-serial-b-56475","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}