Gildwiller1918 Posted February 16, 2023 Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 Berthiers are much easier to find, at least here is in the US, the Lebel's are the rare ones now, especially complete and in good shape. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted February 17, 2023 Share Posted February 17, 2023 Here is some further info on Lebels, but in French 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 I also just ordered the Lebel rifle barbed wire cutter bayonet attachment, dated 1915. Once it arrives I will post images, I have been after one of these for awhile. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72 usmc Posted February 18, 2023 Share Posted February 18, 2023 Now all you need is a piece of relic metal detector found Germany barb wire and a French WW I helmet. I would add some WW I dated cartridges https://german1914.com/gus-gear-wire-cutters/ Great find. relic military sold example 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted February 18, 2023 Author Share Posted February 18, 2023 I do have a WW1 barbed wire post, with the 3 loops and pig tailed base, I also do have some barbed wire, spent cartridges as well as several French helmets. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted Tuesday at 23:49 Author Share Posted Tuesday at 23:49 Here is another Lebel I just got done restoring. It is a Mle. 1886/93. This one was made in 1890 by St. Etienne. When I got this, it was a mess, the fore stock was heavily damaged with large parts of wood missing, however all the internal parts were inside. The Buttstock was not too bad, but the butt plate was heavily pitted. I found a vendor that makes reproduction stocks and that is what I have on this rifle. The new made stock took some fitting to match it to my rifle but turned out nicely. The metal on this rifle was very dirty with a lot of surface rust and nearly all the finish was gone. Surprisingly, the bore is in decent shape too with clearly visible rifling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gildwiller1918 Posted Saturday at 21:43 Author Share Posted Saturday at 21:43 Took the new rifle out shooting today, handled quite well. Shot a few others, this one and the Martini-Henry were my favorites from today's shoot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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