French Lebel Rifle 8mm x 50 R Availability?

ScruffyKeith

ScruffyKeith

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Hi all,

Have any of you seen these come up for sale in Canada in the last few years? I've been looking for more information/ a source for this rifle for some time.

The Lebel Rifle uses the same cartridges as the French Berthier Rifles, I've been fortunate enough to find ammunition for my Berthier but am looking to someday get my hands on it's cousin, the 1886 Lebel rifle

I'd be extremely interested if anyone has one for sale or trade or alternatively knows any sources for these rifles. Had posted in the General Firearms forum but this may be a more appropriate spot.

Anyone else familiar with this family of rifles or cartridge?

Cheers,
Scruffy

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Snider shooter said:
Have the 86 /93, shoots well. Not selling. Using lead bullets,still working up a load. Found mine by chance,went to go by trapdoor and came home with a snider and martini-Henry also. Life can be good at times
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That happens a lot in Nova Scotia I think...

Wasn't there one on the EE today?
 
I also have a model 1907/1915. Haven't shoot it yet. Looking for a3 shot clip for it. Now if I could find a 8m/m pistol that would be sweet. I feel like a French day is coming up, last time it was a contender day. Or maybe tomorrow will be a Russian day. I just might have a 8m/m day that takes care of 4or 5 countries. Tomorrow is a new day we never what we will find. Dale at Young Bros once said I would have lots of time to collect the guns I wanted. That was about 25 years ago. He was right. Wait and they will come. Milsurps are so much. Pick a country or action and shoot all day.
 
Snider shooter said:
I also have a model 1907/1915. Haven't shoot it yet. Looking for a3 shot clip for it. Now if I could find a 8m/m pistol that would be sweet. I feel like a French day is coming up, last time it was a contender day. Or maybe tomorrow will be a Russian day. I just might have a 8m/m day that takes care of 4or 5 countries. Tomorrow is a new day we never what we will find. Dale at Young Bros once said I would have lots of time to collect the guns I wanted. That was about 25 years ago. He was right. Wait and they will come. Milsurps are so much. Pick a country or action and shoot all day.
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Check P and S militaria they sell the 3 shot Berthier clips!
 
Snider shooter said:
I also have a model 1907/1915. Haven't shoot it yet. Looking for a3 shot clip for it. Now if I could find a 8m/m pistol that would be sweet. I feel like a French day is coming up, last time it was a contender day. Or maybe tomorrow will be a Russian day. I just might have a 8m/m day that takes care of 4or 5 countries. Tomorrow is a new day we never what we will find. Dale at Young Bros once said I would have lots of time to collect the guns I wanted. That was about 25 years ago. He was right. Wait and they will come. Milsurps are so much. Pick a country or action and shoot all day.
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I've seen a few Lebel 8mm Pistols online- check gunbrokers & make sure you're looking under antiques! That said, I haven't seen any listed for less than $1800 CAD
 
Snider shooter said:
I also have a model 1907/1915. Haven't shoot it yet. Looking for a3 shot clip for it. Now if I could find a 8m/m pistol that would be sweet. I feel like a French day is coming up, last time it was a contender day. Or maybe tomorrow will be a Russian day. I just might have a 8m/m day that takes care of 4or 5 countries. Tomorrow is a new day we never what we will find. Dale at Young Bros once said I would have lots of time to collect the guns I wanted. That was about 25 years ago. He was right. Wait and they will come. Milsurps are so much. Pick a country or action and shoot all day.
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Keep an eye on Ebay and Amazon- the US sites. I was able to pickup 2 from an American seller who was kind enough to ship up North. I bought his last stock but there were a couple options at the time. Wait and they will come is right!
 
I could ,they came through an estate sale. Private deal. I was told about some old military rifles. You never know what you can find. Over 20 years ago I sat down and made a list of the rifles I wanted. Some of those have shown up and others. To go after one exact gun I found you will pay a high price then a cheaper and nicer one comes along. The 86/93 is the only one I have ever seen. Would love to have the 86. Most things I buy are local. Guns find me I don't find them.
 
I have a line on one with the bayonet and scabbard. This comes with the full-length bayonet, not the later cut-down ones. I did an online search and found one that sold in the states for around a grand in Canadian dollars. I'm out of touch with the prices of French rifles, but isn't that a touch on the high side? With that question asked, I attend all of the local gun shows and I can't recall the last time I saw a Lebel rifle.
 
LawrenceN said:
I have a line on one with the bayonet and scabbard. This comes with the full-length bayonet, not the later cut-down ones. I did an online search and found one that sold in the states for around a grand in Canadian dollars. I'm out of touch with the prices of French rifles, but isn't that a touch on the high side? With that question asked, I attend all of the local gun shows and I can't recall the last time I saw a Lebel rifle.
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$1,000 for a nice Lebel 83/93 isn't out of line any more, IMO, especially with a bayonet. The market for all French arms seems to have tightened up and the Lebel rifles don't seem to come up often at all and certainly less often than the Berthiers. The fact that PRVI ammunition in 8x50R is once again available - and with the annular ring that makes it suitable for use in the tube magazine - makes these even more usable.

I paid $800 for one three years ago - all matching w/ crisp markings - to replace a mismatch in rougher shape I had bought a year earlier. I was delighted to find both and I think the person I sold the original Lebel to here through the EE was happy to get that one.

To the OP, in my experience during my search there's no honey hole for these. Haunt the local shops and shows and keep an eye on the EE. Bargains can be found. Good luck in the search.
 
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LawrenceN said:
I have a line on one with the bayonet and scabbard. This comes with the full-length bayonet, not the later cut-down ones. I did an online search and found one that sold in the states for around a grand in Canadian dollars. I'm out of touch with the prices of French rifles, but isn't that a touch on the high side? With that question asked, I attend all of the local gun shows and I can't recall the last time I saw a Lebel rifle.
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Lucky guy! I'm actually expecting a price of around $1000 CAD. Lebel bayonets are popular and somewhat collectible, I'm not surprised that someone would be asking that price. However, I'd consider a fair price for this rifle in the $800 range as well. That said, beggars can't be choosers & your line seems to be the only available one in Canada!
 
Snider shooter said:
Been out asking a few questions and can't turn anything up except some ammo ,1932 stuff. May have to try it out. Also found prices are up. Did turn up some clips for other Mil surps and early Krop ammo.
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Much appreciate you taking a look & letting us know! If you do purchase let us know how it looks or shoots!

I'll keep this thread alive with any info I come across on Lebel rifles or their availability- I'd greatly appreciate it if others do the same!
 
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If your going to shoot pointed military style bullets, be sure to have the correct French style cases for the Lebel Mle.1886 M93.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/topic/123680-lebel/

http://s3.amazonaws.com/gwfattachments/monthly_05_2009/post-45038-1242771448.jpg

The original Lebel ammunition had a flat nose to eliminate chain firing in the magazine when the rifle was fire.
Old Kynoch ammunition still shows up from time to time.

http://www.oldammo.com/december09.htm

The Kynoch shown lacks the ring indention of Ball D.

German Steel case 8mm Lebel.

https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/german-steel-case-lebel/24324
 
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sail32 said:
If your going to shoot pointed military style bullets, be sure to have the correct French style cases for the Lebel Mle.1886 M93.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/topic/123680-lebel/

http://s3.amazonaws.com/gwfattachments/monthly_05_2009/post-45038-1242771448.jpg

The original Lebel ammunition had a flat nose to eliminate chain firing in the magazine when the rifle was fire.
Old Kynoch ammunition still shows up from time to time.

http://www.oldammo.com/december09.htm

The Kynoch shown lacks the ring indention of Ball D.

German Steel case 8mm Lebel.

https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/german-steel-case-lebel/24324
Click to expand...

Thankfully the currently available PRVI ammunition is recessed accordingly for the tubular magazine in the Lebel rifles. I've been able to special order their 200gr 8x50R in the past through Rusty Wood Trading Co. (Ideal if you're like me & do not/ cannot reload, though it's always worth saving the brass)

Here is a picture to visualise Sail32's comment

DSCN9642-1024x768.jpg
 
they come up every now and then. I paid $700 for mine 2 years ago, after missing out on two others that were less expensive but I was still trying to negotiate. My lesson, grab it when you see it and be prepared to pay what is asked ( reasonable of course) or someone else will grab it before you. Not worth missing out for the sake of $50 or the cost of shipping...
 
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