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Here are some pics of my newly acquired Lebel. Tulle manufacture, 1918 dated barrel with a St. Etienne prefixed serial number (bit confused about that one) Anyway, have been after one of these for quite a while, its not the prettiest, but I love every mismatched bit of it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anzac15
The 5th photo shows the barrel marked MA...T1918
Manufacture d'Armes...Tulle 1918
The N may indicate a chamber modification.
Where is the "St. Etienne prefixed serial number"?
Have I missed something?
Yeah, that was the one pic I didn't get on there, go figure. The serial is 6356*, prefixed by the stylized 'F'. I believe that's a St Etienne prefix, is it not? But the other side of the barrel is MA 1918 T. Just wondered how a Tulle barrel has a St Etienne prefix on the other side. The more I research French firearms, the more I get confused. But that's what makes them that more intriguing!
Well, the N could (should?) indicate the chamber modification for the ammo with "Balle N". Since this modification was introduced in 1932, it is yet more confusing.
St. Etienne and Chatellerault stopped making the Lebel around 1904. It seems that Tulle made about 200,000 in the period 1914-1920. Like all other countries, the French had totally underestimated wartime requirements, so Tulle made what one might call an "emergency" series. A 1918 Lebel barrel can thus only have been made by Tulle. Your Lebel is probably one of those, i.e. with the original barrel. However, I get the impression from the French forums that with the conversion program to the Balle N, started in 1932, there was a certain amount of recycling, mixing, matching, and remarking. On a French forum I discovered mention of another "Tulle" with an F number from this period.
Don't worry - shoot it, and let us know how it performs!
Going to take her to the range this weekend. Shall definitely let you know how she does. Thanks Patrick!
Looks good for its age wonder what stories it could tell, I see you managed to dispatch one of the walking dead and have the trophy on your cabinet behind the weapon.......! :dancingbanana:
Ha ha! Yep, that was a remnant from a Halloween party, forgot to put that one away..
I guarantee this one would have some stories. History in your hands!
Resuscitating an old thread here to say congrats on the Lebel acquisition. I'm wondering if there's enough interest to create a French Rifles sub-forum here. I have two Gallic beauties, with a third on the way, so am keen to learn more about the rifles.
Wouldn't hurt my feelings, but it would probably be frequented sporatically. Include French pistols (including Spanish "Ruby"s) and it would do somewhat better.Quote:
Originally Posted by RangeRover