1886 lebel advice???

[CaptSimon]

Hello,

So, on a whim, i bid on this and won: French Lebel 1886 M93 rifle 8mm lebel 1916 : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


While I wont know it all until its in my hands, I was just wondering how I did price wise and I know some stuff about these rifles (dissasembly, ammo, etc.) I was wondering if there were any tidbits or things to look out for when I get it (this is my first dive into french rifles).

Any info/advice is appreciated.

Bernard

Information

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[rayg]

Appears to be about the going price for the condition of the old well used war horse. Ray

[RCS]

Like Ray stated, fair price for your Lebel rifle. It has the modification for the Model 1932N cartridge (N stamp on receiver). Parts are difficult to find and stocks impossible to find, use quality cartridges
that are modern production, that cheap machine gun ammo is not worth the trouble

[Aragorn243]

Price for the condition is a bit high for Gunbroker. They keep going up however so you didn't really do badly. They are getting hard to find in any condition. I spent about 3 years actively searching for one, found the carbine first, got the rifle maybe 10 months ago.

It looks like it has a shootable bore and does have the upgrade so it can use the modern ammo. My biggest concern when getting it is with all that pitting where you can see it, what's it look like under the wood. Take it apart and neutralize any active rust first. Taking care of that is important as it will continue if you don't.

Bolt appears to be mis-matched. but stock looks like it matches the receiver. Stock should clean up OK with a good wipe down with fresh BLO.

[CaptSimon]

When I get it, i'm gonna strip it down and clean it up (I hope that the pitting isnt bad and some of what the pictures show is grime and grease). I will admit that my quest for this started a month ago after I saw a bayonet for one in my local surplus store. I will admit I would have liked to have gotten it cheaper, it was 180.00 for most of the auction then it shot up to 350 and i bid 375 figuring id get outbid (what I get for toying with the Gunbroker gods). As for ammo, I figured i'd probably use prvi ammo unless I found the surplus really cheap.

Ironically enough, the seller I bought this from just listed another one: french lebel m1886-93 rifle 1916 8mm Lebel : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


One question, could this have been a bringback from Afghanistan?, I read about some being brought back and sold.

[rayg]

That one will go for a higher price. The metal looks to be in real good shape, Ray

[Aragorn243]

Yes, that one is a $600+ in all likelihood.

Without paperwork, it's just another Lebel. I haven't heard about these coming back from Afghanistan, mostly Martini's from there. The French were never there.

[rayg]

Looking that one again at it, except for the heavy varnish on the stock, which is easily removed, it really is a nice one with what appears to be an excellent finish w/ clear and deep stampings. I bet, as you said, $600 plus, and most likely plus. If it was matching it would probably go for north of 1,000. But in any case, you don't see many that are still all matching. I have a matching one I bought at a show about 7yrs ago, no "N" stamp, the finish is not as good but it only cost $200, so I can't complain too much. Ray

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[Aragorn243]

Here's the one I got last fall. I don't remember exactly what I paid but I'm thinking it was around $525. I probably posted the price on here somewhere but I can't find it.

French Lebel 1886/93

And the carbine I got for a steal at $130, no other fees.

1886 R93 R35 Lebel

[rayg]

[QUOTE=Aragorn243;335104]Here's the one I got last fall. I don't remember exactly what I paid but I'm thinking it was around $525. I probably posted the price on here somewhere but I can't find it.

That's a nice rifle and because of it's condition, I believe you paid under it's value if that's what you did pay.

Bernard, don't forget to post photos of the one you bought when you get it, Ray