French Model 1886/93 8mm Lebel 32” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1887 Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,825.00

LSB#: WY241010CM008

Make: St. Etienne, France

Model: MLE 1886/93 Lebel

Serial Number: 21043

Year of Manufacture: 1887

Caliber: 8x50mmR Lebel

Action Type: Bolt Action, 8 Round Mag Tube Fed

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked, “MANUFACTURE DE ARMES St. Etienne / MLE. 1886 M93”. The barrel shank is marked, “f 21043 / MA S 1887”. The floor plate and stock are serial matched, all other serialized parts are not. The bayonet is marked, “78969”. 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 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 scratches, small chips, and pressure dents throughout. The wrist has a repair. The LOP is 13 1/8″ from the front to the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blued.

Finish Originality: Original to Arsenal Rework.

Bore Condition:  The bore is gray and the rifling is worn. There is moderate erosion and light pitting in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 4.5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. There is thinning, 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 somewhat blurry. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition. The bayonet has moderate wear and patina. There are scratches and impact marks throughout. The blade has spots of patina. The scabbard is slightly bent. Overall, the bayonet is in Good 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: None.

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. The Lebel rifle served as the standard-issue infantry rifle of the French Army through World War I and beyond, becoming a symbol of French military innovation during its era. The rifle is chambered in 8×50mmR Lebel, a cartridge that was equally groundbreaking. The cartridge used smokeless powder and featured a spitzer (pointed) bullet in later iterations, significantly improving ballistics and effective range. The Lebel’s tubular magazine, located under the barrel, could hold up to eight rounds, with an additional round in the chamber. While innovative at the time, the tube-fed design would later be surpassed by box magazines, which allowed for quicker reloading and easier handling. The Model 1886/93 underwent modifications starting in 1893 to improve its durability and functionality, resulting in the designation M1886/93. One key update was a strengthened bolt and receiver, designed to handle the higher pressures of the new cartridge. The rifle retained its distinctive long 32-inch barrel, which maximized the ballistic performance of the 8mm Lebel cartridge and contributed to its effective range of over 2,000 meters. However, the rifle’s length and weight, typical of late 19th-century military doctrine, made it cumbersome in close quarters and trench warfare. Despite its innovations, the Lebel rifle’s tubular magazine design was quickly outpaced by newer repeating rifles that utilized detachable box magazines, such as the Mauser and Lee-Enfield. Reloading the Lebel was slower and less efficient, as cartridges had to be inserted one at a time into the tube magazine. Additionally, the risk of accidental detonation in the tubular magazine, due to pointed bullets pressing against the primers of rounds in the tube, was a concern until mitigated by flat-tipped bullet designs. The M1886/93 saw extensive use in World War I, where it served as the backbone of French infantry forces. 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. It is remembered for its durability, reliability, and its pivotal role in ushering in the era of smokeless powder firearms. -R.E.

French Model 1886/93 8mm Lebel 32” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1887 Antique
French Model 1886/93 8mm Lebel 32” Bolt Action Rifle, MFD 1887 Antique