Original Antique French Lebel Fusil Modèle 1886 M93 Infantry Rifle by St. Étienne Dated 1889 with Bayonet & Sling - Serial M 78272

Original Item: Only One Available. The Lebel Model 1886 rifle (French: Fusil Modèle 1886 dit "Fusil Lebel") is also known as the "Fusil Mle 1886 M93", 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.

The 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.

Featuring 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 modified 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.

The left side of the receiver on this fine example is marked with a clear MANUFACTURE D'ARMES / St.-Étienne marking, and to the right MLE 1886 M93, indicating manufacture at the government arsenal at Saint-Étienne. The "M93" is a separate stamping, indicating the receiver was produced before the modification was introduced in 1893, so it is definitely a Pre-1899 Antique. 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 MA S 1889 indicating that it was produced in 1889, and later updated with the bolt modification after 1893. The rifle has serial number M 78272 on the barrel, receiver floor plate, and colt. This is also stamped on the bottom rear of the fore stock and rear left of the butt stock, but these look to have been remarked. Parts were often swapped at arsenal when these were reissued for WWI, so this was quite common.

Condition of the rifle is very good, though it definitely has seen long service, indicated by the numerous 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. There is also a wood graft repair on the bottom rear of the butt stock.  The metalwork is in very good condition, with little sign of rust or other damage. It still has much of the original bluing from when it was last re-arsenaled in France, and has not been painted black, as many examples were when sent into colonial service. We did note that the bayonet guide lug on the bottom of the barrel was removed at some point, but the locking lug is still present.

The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some where to the lands, and there is also a bit of oxidation and fouling in the grooves, but overall it's definitely quite nice for a rifle that saw long service such as this one. The rifle cycles correctly and dry fires, and the magazine cutoff functions correctly, though overall the action is a bit stiff from dried grease. The rear sight is present and fully functional, as are both sling swivels. There is a very nice leather sling attached to the sling swivels, which looks to be possibly WWII era.

The included Lebel M.1886 Brass Handle Cruciform Épée Bayonet is a rare example, still with the original 20 ½” long cruciform blade! These were almost always cut down to 16" or shorter after WWI, but this one is still the full length. It still has a lovely condition blade, showing much of the original finish, and the scabbard has a lovely worn patina. It locks easily onto the rifle.

Made famous by the GARY COOPER Movie of BEAU GESTE, 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, complete with an original bayonet and sling! Fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications (rifle):-

Year of Manufacture: 1889 - updated later
Caliber: 8×50mmR Lebel
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 31.5 Inches
Overall Length: 51.2 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 8 round tube magazine

Specifications (bayonet):-
Blade length: 20 ½”
Blade style: Cruciform "Épée"
Overall length: 25”
Crossguard: 2“
Scabbard length: 21”