French Model 1886/93 8mm Lebel 31” Barrel Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,650.00
LSB#: LSB250528MB001
Make: Chatellerault, France
Model: MLE 1886/93 Lebel
Serial Number: 52125
Year of Manufacture: 1917
Caliber: 8x50mmR Lebel
Action Type: Bolt Action, 8 Round Mag Tube Fed
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked, “MANUFACTURE D’ ARMES / Chatellerault / MLE. 1886 M93”. The barrel shank is marked, “CC / M 52125 / MAP 1917”. The floor plate, barrel, bolt, trigger assembly and stock are serial-matched. The bayonet is marked, “45596”. Both barrel and receiver have an “N” stamp indicating that they are approved for the last Label military issue ammunition, the heavier “Balle N” cartridge. There are various small proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 31.5”
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 20, making it part of the 1893 upgrade and missing the later 1901 2400 yard upgrade for the 8mm “Balle D”.
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 scratches, small chips, and pressure dents throughout, with particularly heavy gouges on the underside of the foregrip. The wrist has been repaired. The LOP is 13 1/8″ from the front to the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates a Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued.
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is clear. There is light erosion and light pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 7/10.
Overall Condition: What little finish this rifle retains has gone to patina. There are scratches, patina, and small impact marks throughout. The action has moderate wear. There are various small pitting marks throughout. The screw heads are mostly sharp. The markings are mostly sharp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition. The bayonet appears to be unissued and is still in grease. The scabbard is in a Fine condition with about 50% blueing loss. Overall, the bayonet is in Excellent 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: Bayonet.
Our Assessment: The French Model 1886/93 Lebel is a historically significant bolt-action rifle that marked a revolutionary step in military firearm design. Introduced in 1886, it was the first military rifle to adopt smokeless powder ammunition, giving it a substantial advantage in range, accuracy, and reduced fouling compared to black powder rifles of the time. For the first time, other European nations were chasing the French advantage (the impetus for the German Gewehr 88, for example).
The Lebel rifle served as the standard-issue infantry rifle of the French Army through World War I and beyond, and was a powerful and solidly built rifle well suited to trench warfare. The introduction of the 8×50mmR Lebel cartridge using smokeless powder (Poudre ‘B’) significantly improved the effective range of the French Infantryman.
The /93 modification to the Mle 86 design added a new bolt head, a stacking rod, and and a sturdier rear sight — all three of which can be seen on this rifle.
Though it was eventually supplemented and later replaced by the more modern Berthier series and the MAS 36, the Lebel rifle remained in service in limited roles well into World War II. A collector has the opportunity to own both the first smokeless powder military rifle and the first to use spitzer bullets. Please see our photos of this significant piece of history. -C.B.
