Price check on French Legion rifle.

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Roger

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Guys, I have been offered a French Legion rifle,
8MM, bolt action, made around 1850,
supposedly in good condition.
The price asked is $300.00 U.S.
Does this seem to be a reasonable price to you?
Thanks.
Roger.
 
RE French Legion Rifle.

Hi, Skippy,
I admit I don,t have much info for now on
that French Legion 8MM rifle.
This is something that was thrown to me over
the phone.
I am hoping to get more in the near future,
such as pictures, better description, etc.
Thanks for looking.

Roger.
 
- 1850 date and 8mm caliber does not make any sense

- If it is dated 1950 it has to be in 7.5x54mm MAS

- If its an 8mm, it should be dated anywhere from 1886 to 1930's range. Could be a Lebel, Berthier or Gras WW1 conversion.
 
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No bolt actions in 1850. Anywhere.
The French Foreign Legion used the same rifles as the regular French army, for the most part. The 8mm Lebel was used from 1886 until replaced in 1936.
$300US($324.88Cdn) is far too much. Especially if it's in the U.S. now. By the time you get it here, you cost will be a whole lot more.
Assuming it's an M-1886 "Lebel" (aka Berthier MLE1916), Epp's is listing one in 'fair' condition for $229.
 
sunray said:
No bolt actions in 1850. Anywhere.
The French Foreign Legion used the same rifles as the regular French army, for the most part. The 8mm Lebel was used from 1886 until replaced in 1936.
$300US($324.88Cdn) is far too much. Especially if it's in the U.S. now. By the time you get it here, you cost will be a whole lot more.
Assuming it's an M-1886 "Lebel" (aka Berthier MLE1916), Epp's is listing one in 'fair' condition for $229.
Click to expand...

Berthier and Lebel are two different rifles.
 
On this topic sort of, anyone seen "Legionaire" with Jean-Claude van Damme ;) Pretty decent movie with tons of Lebel action.
 
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RE French Legion rifle.

Hey guys,
I'd like to thank you for all the information
you have sent me.
I have already learned quite a bit from your info.
And, I have seen the movie"Legionaire",
I thought it was pretty good.
Thanks.

Roger.
 
In the 1850s the Prussians were using the bolt action Dryese(sp? ) rifle in various configurations and had been since the 1840s. Lebel is both a rifle and a cartridge designation of course. The eight shot, tube magazine Mle1886 was chambered for the then new smokeless 8MM rimmed cartridge. The Mannlicher-Berthier had a 3 shot and later 5 shot conversion magazine and was chambered for the 8MM " Lebel " cartridge. Both rifles took the same bayonet. The Gras conversion, an emergency use of an older bolt system was single shot and issued to mostly rear echelon troops to free up the more advanced Lebels and Berthiers for front line issue. The first nationally issued bolt action repeater is considered to be the Swiss Vetterli in 1869. There continues to be a lot of confusion regarding the name Lebel and a lot of folks don't know that Berthier was a different rifle or even existed. I don't know how many times I have seen the Berthier referred to as a Lebel. Joe
 
RE French Legion rifle.

Hi Joe Turner,

Thank you very much for all the info.
All the feedback I've been getting from all you guys
gets more and more interesting.
It gives me a much better idea of what the rifles
were like, and the history behind them.
Thanks again.
Roger.
 
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