Pics of Tulle 1886/93 Lebel.

[Anzac15]

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!

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[Patrick Chadwick]

Tulle manufacture, 1918 dated barrel with a St. Etienne prefixed serial number (bit confused about that one)

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?

[Anzac15]

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!

[Patrick Chadwick]

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.

[Patrick Chadwick]

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!

[Anzac15]

Going to take her to the range this weekend. Shall definitely let you know how she does. Thanks Patrick!

[CINDERS]

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.......!

[Anzac15]

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!

[RangeRover]

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.

[jmoore]

I'm wondering if there's enough interest to create a French Rifles sub-forum here.

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.