The French milsurp rifle #### thread!

Thanks guys, I've had that Lebel for awhile. In fact it was my first internet gun purchase, off of a forum who's name I can't remember that was around right about the time CGN came out. In fact I didn't even know how good a score it was until I got it.

I would guess there's just not as much interest in the Mle 1916 rifles because, according to my best info, they weren't actually used in combat in WW1. At least that's why I don't have one, I've seen a few over the years.
 
Nyles said:
Thanks guys, I've had that Lebel for awhile. In fact it was my first internet gun purchase, off of a forum who's name I can't remember that was around right about the time CGN came out. In fact I didn't even know how good a score it was until I got it.

I would guess there's just not as much interest in the Mle 1916 rifles because, according to my best info, they weren't actually used in combat in WW1. At least that's why I don't have one, I've seen a few over the years.
Click to expand...

My info is that they were in fact issued in WW1, just not in anywhere near the numbers that the 1907-15 rifles were. They started to appear in early 1918, reaching "significant" numbers by summer of that year. When the war ended though, only a small percentage of Berthiers on the front line were Mle16s. Certainly the majority of WW2-used Berthiers were of the Mle16 pattern, and most of those (not all) were carbines.
 
My little Turkish Forestry Service rifle!
MyTurkishForestryRifle.jpg


Bertheir008.jpg


Bertheir010.jpg


Bertheir012.jpg


Bertheir015.jpg


Bertheir017.jpg


Orman.jpg


AND AMMO! LOL I only have 8 rounds of old 8 mm Lebel ammo that I can't bear to shoot!

Bertheir005.jpg


Bertheir002.jpg


8mmlebel.jpg


Anyone know where I can aquire some ammo so I can try this beauty out?!:50cal:
 
Brass from Tradex, dies from Lee, powder from almost anywhere and you can use regular 8mm bullets, no problem, though for the best accuracy, you'll eventually want .327" bullets instead of .323".
 
Nice rifle, I have been looking for one:)

A very elegant looking round. If that package could talk, I am sure it has passed through a few hands since 1939.
tbaybmkr said:
My little Turkish Forestry Service rifle!

AND AMMO! LOL I only have 8 rounds of old 8 mm Lebel ammo that I can't bear to shoot!

Bertheir005.jpg


Bertheir002.jpg


8mmlebel.jpg


Anyone know where I can aquire some ammo so I can try this beauty out?!:50cal:
Click to expand...
 
Steppenwolf said:
Here is my French ammo. I am sure most of you have seen one of these steel belts.
29nypow.jpg


Head stamps on the milsurp are: SF 3 I 48
Head stamps on the hunting are: REM-UMC 8m/m Lebel 170grn. softpoint.
Click to expand...

I have some of those steel Hotchkiss Machinegun chargers.

They came in a light, disposable steel can, twelve full chargers to a can. $30/unopened can.

Unless you made your own from 348Win brass, there was no other available source at the time.

International sold out pretty quick.
 
Hello Gentleman

Here's a couple pictures of my Gras, which is a "upgrade" of the needle gun to brass cartridge.

The bore looks great, mismatched bolt components and intact "holy water" plug in the butt.
I'm still looking for a cleaning rod I can fit to it and a bayonet.

Very sturdy old girl, almost over-engineered, quite ahead of its time I think.


DSC01873.jpg

DSC01876.jpg
 
Very nice Gras.Not only it's in original 11mm caliber but it doesn't have 1880 modification (or it's not visible in this picture.

I have Gras in 8x50 Lebel modified to this caliber in 1914.
Rear sight is stamped F on the base and is suppose to be graduated for training ammo ( info found on one of the French Firearm collectors forums)

I ordered custom neck sizer from Lee,used PPU brass from Trade-Ex and shoot it with unsized .329 Lee cast and with 50/50 NRA lube from fellow CGNer phishroy ( excellent lube! thanks).8.9 Gr of Promo puts boolit right to the point of aim with 250m battle sight.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us
 
Hi Claven , yes shes still in her origional cal.

Your Gras in the lebel cal. is really beautiful, you can get a origional strap from ima militaria "its where I bought mine for around 10-20 bucks"
 
If you are referring to mine,it came all complete with sling and cleaning rod but no bayonet.

I have to take it to few gun shows to see if I can find nice fitting bayo for it.Should have done it when purchasing rifle...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom