French Fusil Mle 1886 Lebel

[Gildwiller1918]

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. 

[Fritz]

Here is some further info on Lebels, but in French

 

[Gildwiller1918]

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. 

[72 usmc]

 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 

 

[Gildwiller1918]

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. 

[Gildwiller1918]

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. 

[Gildwiller1918]

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.