St. Etienne Model 1892 8mm French Double-Action Lebel Revolver 1896 Antique

Sold for $2022.00

LSB#: 220316CA425

Make: St. Etienne

Model: Model 1892

Serial#: F86064

Year of Manufacture: 1896, Antique

Caliber: 8mm French Ordnance

Action Type: Single/Double-Action Service Revolver with Swing-Out 6-round Fluted Cylinder and Manual Ejector

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked with a “M” and “B” both inside ovals, “Mle 1892” and “S 1896”. The bottom of the barrel, partially obscured by the cylinder pin, is marked with a St. Etienne proof (a crowned “E”) and several other marks. The left side of the trigger is marked “K” and the left side of the trigger guard, situated behind the trigger, is marked “F” inside a shield. When the side-plate is opened the following markings can be observed: the upper portion of the trigger is marked “4”, the hand assembly with roller is marked “3”, the mainspring has a faded proof and the hammer is marked “2”.  The right side of the hammer and side-loading gate have faded proof marks. The right side of the frame is marked “B” inside an oval, “Mre d’Armes / St Etienne” in cursive and has a small proof all behind the cylinder while the portion under the cylinder is marked “F86064”. The rear of the cylinder is marked with a crowned “F” and the serial number “654521” while the ejector is marked “K”. The front of the cylinder pin assembly has a small proof.

Barrel Length: 4.6”, Octagonal

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a fixed base by the muzzle. The rear sight is a fixed V-notch at the rear of the top-strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grip panels are two-piece checkered wood with smooth borders. The grips have light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is scattered silver colored fouling concentrated at the front of the left panel. The checkering remains mostly sharp. Overall, the grip panels are in Very Good condition for Antiques.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some light erosion concentrated in the grooves.

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 75% of its metal finish. There are some light handling marks, nicks and scuffs. Notably, there is light finish loss along the leading edges and some scattered patches of light surface oxidation. The markings remain clear. The screwheads are lightly tooled and remain serviceable. Overall, the revolver is in Very Good plus condition for an Antique.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single-action trigger is crisp and double-action is smooth. The cylinder locks with light play on each chamber. We have not fired this revolver. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The French Revolver modèle 1892 is a French side-arm that has an impressive service history. The gun was an advanced design for its time and was chambered for 8mm French Ordnance rounds. The gun was the standard issue side-arm for the French Military when WWI broke out in 1914. Unfortunately, French industry could not meet the demand for m/1892 Revolvers placed upon it by the conflict, thus the older m/1873 Chamelot-Delvigne Revolver was brought out of retirement for front-line service. The m/1892 continued to see limited service following the end of the First World War and when Germany occupied France in WWII the Wehrmacht adopted a number of m/1892 Revolvers for service (redesignated the “Revolver 637(f)”). Small numbers are reported to have seen use in several colonial conflicts after WWII, including the French wars in Indochina and Algeria, but only in small numbers, the gun was largely relegated to use by French police by the 1950s before its retirement in the 1960s. As an aside, the gun is sometimes referred to as the “Lebel Revolver” but the famous French military officer and weapons designer is not believed to actually have been associated with the development of this gun.

This particular specimen is a Model 1892 that was manufactured at St. Etienne Arsenal in 1896. The gun has some light handling wear but its bluing remains impressive and the mechanics are solid. The gun is an impressive piece of military history that should appeal to historical firearms collectors. Good luck on your bid!