I don't know what's up with me and rusty French small arms lately, but I guess when you run into an ALL matching, non 'N' marked 1886 Lebel for less than $200, you'd better get it......
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I don't know what's up with me and rusty French small arms lately, but I guess when you run into an ALL matching, non 'N' marked 1886 Lebel for less than $200, you'd better get it......
Nice, if you aren't up to restoring it, drop me a line. I'm looking for one.
I'm going to clean this one a bit, then keeping it. :) I was carrying my Berthier carbine around at the fun show today, and a friend of mine who always has a table says 'hey! Need another Berthier? One hundred takes it home!' I couldn't believe it......he didn't even know what it was.
It also appears to not have the M93 update.
Congratulations!
Go back and see if he has another one!
I have been on an all out hunt for one of these for two months. I need to locate one I can afford before November for a presentation I'm going to do for the anniversary of the start of WWI. None to be found under $600. Granted they are in a lot better shape than this one but I'd have bought that without hesitation for that price. Congrats.
Couple of things...it is not a Tulle receiver, it is a St Etienne. Barrel is a 1916 Tulle however. Serial prefix is an 'FL'. Also, kind of unusual that the buttstock serial number is on the right side instead of left. It's cleaning up nicely.
Just found a small anchor marking on the buttplate. I understand this is not Navy, but instead Colonial troops. Would the Foreign Legion fall under this?
Great price. Lets see it after it's been to the beauty shop. I enjoy finding guns that are complete but weathered for low prices and after the fun of cleaning them up, their looks improve greatly, Ray
I'll certainly will show it off! Can't get a clear pic of the anchor on the buttplate, it's too small. But this is exactly how it looks. An anchor and what looks like like a five, but I dont think it is. Some type of symbol.
Foreign Legion does not fall under Colonial troops. Colonial troops had their own command structure. The Foreign Legion command fell under the French Army command.
Makes you wonder why an anchor. I guess because you had to sail to get to the colonies? I should check my carbine for one as they were supposed to be issued to colonial cavalry.
As I understand it, Colonial Troops fell under the Navy, correct?
It appears they were under Navy command until 1900, then transferred to Army command.