December 16, 17, & 18, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2020
Beginning manufacture in 1887, the Model 1886 Lebel rifle served the French armed forces until 1936. Though initially intended to be superseded by the newer Berthier rifle, the Lebel Model 1886 found favor among French infantry troops, due to it's higher magazine capacity and reliability in the trenches of World War I. This example is dated 1901, and is marked "MANUFACTURE D'ARMES/ St. Etienne" followed by "MLE 1886 M93" on the left side of the receiver. The left side of the barrel is marked "JH" follow by two inspector stamps, which are above the serial number. The right side is stamped "MA S 1901". The buttstock is stamp with a circle, with "L.S. NOVEMBRE K. 1901" around the outside, and "MA" stamped in the middle of the circle. Matching numbers include the receiver, floorplate, bolt, stock, and forend. CONDITION: Metal components retain generous amounts of their correct blue finish, showing some scattered areas with wear, nicks, and some light surface rust. Bolt, trigger guard, trigger, and buttplate are in-the-white, and show areas of age-related discoloration. Markings on metal components are sharp and clear. Notably bright bore, which exhibits strong and well-defined rifling throughout. Stock and forend show many small scattered indentations from handling and storage, but retain clear arsenal markings. Overall, a very fine example of the 1886 Lebel rifle that served France's infantrymen for half a century. -MLW-
Caliber/Bore
8x50mmR Lebel