{"product_id":"original-french-wwi-era-modele-1892-lebel-8mm-service-revolver-by-manufacture-darmes-de-saint-etienne-dated-1895-serial-no-h-76166","title":"Original French WWI Era Modèle 1892 “Lebel” 8mm Service Revolver by Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne, Dated 1895, Serial No. H 76166","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original French Modèle 1892 8mm service revolver manufactured by Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne and dated \u003cstrong\u003e1895\u003c\/strong\u003e, serial number \u003cstrong\u003eH 76166\u003c\/strong\u003e. Commonly known to collectors as the “Lebel revolver” or St. Étienne 8mm, this example remains mechanically functional in both single and double action and retains much of its original blued finish, clear military markings, checkered wood grips, and a very good bore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Modèle 1892 service revolver, also known as the \"Lebel revolver\" and the \"St. Etienne 8mm\", was designed and produced by \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/em\u003eas a replacement for the MAS 1873 revolver. It was the standard issue sidearm for officers in the French military during the First World War, first entering military service in 1893. The Modèle 1892 is a solid frame, double revolver with the cylinder on a crane\/yoke swinging right for manual extraction and reloading. A mechanically tight and very well finished handgun, the Modèle 1892 fires \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8mm Ordnance \/ Lebel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e rounds with a striking power equivalent to that of a .32 ACP round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe right side of the frame is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM\"re d'Armes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS\"t Étienne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003efor Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe top of the barrel is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM\"le 1892\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand the side of the barrel carries the date:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS 1895\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe serial number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH 76166\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eis stamped on the right side of the frame beneath the cylinder. Additional circled proof and inspection marks are present on various components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition is very good overall and consistent with a revolver that saw substantial service use. Much of the original blue remains, while exposed areas including the trigger and loading gate show a more worn aged patina. Some of the markings are slightly faint, and it is possible that the revolver was refinished or reconditioned during arsenal service, though this cannot be confirmed from the surviving finish alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe checkered wood grips show handling wear and staining, more noticeably on the right side. The difference in appearance between the two grip panels may indicate that one was replaced during the revolver’s service life, though no documentation accompanies the revolver to confirm this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically, the revolver presently functions well in both single and double action. Opening the loading gate disconnects the trigger as intended, and the cylinder crane swings to the right correctly for loading and extraction. These observations describe only the revolver’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore is in very good condition with crisp lands and grooves and a mostly bright interior. There is light wear together with minor areas of residual fouling, but the rifling remains strong and clearly defined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1895 barrel date, serial number H 76166, Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne markings, strong remaining blue, functional single and double action mechanism, right swinging cylinder system, and very good bore, this is a strong example of the French Modèle 1892 service revolver. The light marking wear, possible arsenal reconditioning, grip staining, possible replacement grip panel, and minor bore fouling are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a French military sidearm, Modèle 1892, WWI service revolver, or advanced European firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications of Modèle 1892 Lebel Revolver\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1895\u003cbr\u003eMaker: Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne\u003cbr\u003eLength: 240 mm (9.3 inches)\u003cbr\u003eBarrel length: 115 mm (4.5 inches)\u003cbr\u003eFinish: Blued Steel\u003cbr\u003eWeight (empty): 1.88 pounds (0.85 kg) \u003cbr\u003eCylinder: 6 cartridges\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition: 8mm \/ 92 Ordnance [8 x 27 mm R]\u003cbr\u003eRifling: 4 right-hand grooves\u003cbr\u003eOperation: Double Action \/ Single Action\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough it was originally designed to serve as a commissioned officer's personal sidearm, over 350,000 Modèle 1892 revolvers had been manufactured between 1892 and 1924 . It was issued in the French Army, navy, and National Gendarmerie, amongst others. It is commonly, but mistakenly, called a \"Lebel revolver\" after the name of Colonel Nicolas Lebel, although there is no evidence whatsoever that Lebel had any involvement in the creation of the gun or its ammunition. Non-commissioned officers continued to carry the older Mle 1873 service revolver, but were also frequently issued .32 ACP automatic pistols (the Ruby pistol) during World War I. The Mle 1892 was later officially replaced by semi-automatic pistols in 1935 but many saw service during World War II and were brought to the United States as souvenirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMechanics\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginally chambered for an 8mm black-powder cartridge closely resembling the .32-20 WCF round, later models issued during World War I and thereafter fired the same 8mm cartridge loaded with smokeless powder. The Mle 1892 revolver is a double-action solid-frame design, with chambers being accessed by swinging out the cylinder to the right. The fired cases can then be pushed out of the cylinder at the same time. After reloading, the cylinder is swung back into the frame and locked into place with the case-hardened loading gate located on the right side of the frame. In addition, the left sideplate of the frame can be swung back on a hinge to give access to the gun's internal parts for oiling or cleaning. These parts were individually numbered to indicate the order in which they can be disassembled. The year of manufacture of each revolver is engraved on the right side of the barrel, for instance \"S 1895\". The inscription \"Mle 1892\" is hand engraved on top of the barrel. It was carried in a large closed leather holster, which held an additional 12 rounds of ammunition hidden below the flap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLegacy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Mle 1892 is a mechanically tight, accurate and very well finished revolver. It can be fired single-action by cocking the hammer first or by double-action by a full trigger pull. Its downside is the relative weakness, for a military handgun, of its 8×27mm ammunition. In terms of striking power, it just barely reaches the level of the .32 ACP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45722783023173,"sku":"ONJR26AURA39","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/13DC00C9-5A1D-4126-A586-E42625222896.jpg?v=1790472026","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-french-wwi-era-modele-1892-lebel-8mm-service-revolver-by-manufacture-darmes-de-saint-etienne-dated-1895-serial-no-h-76166","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}