French Model 1886/93 8mm Lebel 32” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1889 Antique
SOLD FOR: $3,200.00
LSB#: WY250326GB001
Make: Chatellerault , France
Model: MLE 1886/93 Lebel
Serial Number: 5316
Year of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: 8x50mmR Lebel
Action Type: Bolt Action, 8 Round Mag Tube Fed
Markings: The right side of the receiver is marked, “MANUFACTURE D ARMES / MLE1886 M93”. All serialized parts are matched. There are various small proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 32”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a small blade atop a barrel mounted block. The rear sight is a flip-up U-notch elevator sight marked out to 24.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece wood set with a capped forend/stacking rod & bayonet mount, barrel band with sling loop, finger grooves, through bolt, straight wrist, sling loop, straight comb, and steel buttplate. There are light handling marks throughout. There is a repair at the wrist. The LOP is 13 1/4″ from the front to the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine overall condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued.
Finish Originality: Refinished.
Bore Condition: The bore is black and the rifling is worn. There is moderate erosion and small spots of pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are light wear marks throughout with spots of thinning. The action has moderate wear. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are faded in spots. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition as refinished. The bayonet has heavy rust spots, but the blade remains clean. Overall this bayonet rates in Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 1886 Bayonet.
Our Assessment: The French Model 1886/93 Lebel was the world’s first military rifle designed from the ground up to fire smokeless powder ammunition. Adopted in the late 1880s, this rifle marked a revolutionary step forward in military firearm development. Chambered in 8x50mmR Lebel and feeding from an 8-round tubular magazine beneath its long 32-inch barrel, the Lebel combined long-range power with a strong bolt-action system and distinctive styling. The 1893 update reinforced key structural elements, improving durability for extended field service. This particular example was manufactured at the French state arsenal in Chatellerault in 1889, making it a true antique and a representative of early smokeless-era small arms. This rifle is in fine condition as a refinished example. It retains about 90% of its metal finish with only light wear and thinning, and all serialized parts are matching—a rare and desirable feature. The bore, while dark, retains worn but clear rifling with moderate erosion and some light pitting, still rating a solid 8/10 by antique standards. The stock has been refinished and shows light handling marks along with a repaired wrist but remains structurally sound and visually attractive. The action cycles correctly, and the rifle includes an original 1886-pattern bayonet, which shows heavy rust on the hilt but retains a clean blade.
For collectors of 19th-century military arms or early smokeless powder designs, this MLE 1886/93 Lebel offers significant historical value. As a pre-1899 antique with matching numbers, a functional action, and its bayonet included, it presents a rare opportunity to own a key transitional rifle from the black powder to smokeless powder era. Its impact on global firearm development and its use through World War I make it a must-have piece in any comprehensive collection of military rifles. -R.E.
