1886 R93 R35 Lebel

[Aragorn243]

Here's the rifle I need the parts for. The metal is in pretty decent shape. Some of the black paint is still on it but most is down to the bluing. Bolt is blued not in the white like some. All numbers match with the exception of the floor plate and fore stock. Bayonet is the appropriate short version.

The bolt head screw is off my Berthier so I still need one. The "nut" that I am missing is shown in the close up. I could take that off the Berthier too but not planning to do so until I decide to take it to the range.

I picked it up last weekend for $130 at an auction I've never gone to before. Stock looks horrible but is solid and not badly beat up. It's just the coloration. I did sand out the cross grain sanding marks that were in it when purchased. Someone took a sanding wheel to it sometime in the past.

This version is not a cut down version of the original. It has been rebarreled with a shorter barrel. This one is dated 1938. It has a 3 shot tubular magazine which consists of a very long spring, a hole through the fore stock and a small metal tip. No metal tube in the stock. I've read that this can be a five shot rifle. Three in the magazine, one on the lift and one in the chamber. It has a magazine cut off which keeps the lifter in the up position when on. The lifter works different from modern lever actions. It will not lift the new shell until the bolt is pulled back hard. That is how one can sit on the lifter with the bolt closed.

I'm still a little leery of putting pointed bullets in a tubular magazine but I understand the concept with the grooved head. Sling did not come with the rifle and is unfortunately a new issue. I had hoped it would be more used. Rifle is the same size as my Berthier carbine.

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