Two new French classic additions.

[Patrick Chadwick]

"...Also there appears to be some Arabic script on the buttplate of the Lebel..."

I think that is a very scruffily applied number 6(???) 2 2 underlined.
Could you post a photo that shows the left half more clearly?

The 1886 on the receiver is the model date. The barrel markings are original, correct, and not "fiddled".

MA T 1888 N

Manufacture d'Armes. Tulle. Date of manufacture 1888. Modified for "Balle N".

ALL OK !