Exotic French rifle demonstrated!

Drydock · June 20, 2011, 07:55:11 PM

Well, I don't really know how "exotic" a Lebel is, but it was the first time I'd ever seen one fired! Pony Express brought his Lebel to our local match here in Missouri, using it for one stage. I suspect its the first time in a very long time, certainly in this century, that a Lebel has been used in any kind of compition on this continent.

Interesting. Found out that if the OAL is not quite long enough, the lifter on the rifle will throw the next round clean out of the action if the bolt is racked hard!

But a great old piece nontheless. Great to see it on the line. And with a little more load development . . . did you know its suprisingly easy to put together an late 19th century French Foriegn Legion uniform?

Niederlander · June 20, 2011, 08:40:51 PM

I've been hoping someone would do that impression! I've always thought it would be cool to get a Lebel, but I think large quantities of brass could be a problem. I've got enough rifles that are a bit difficult to feed!

Drydock · June 20, 2011, 09:08:22 PM

Seems PRVI is making the brass now. French rifle with Serbian Brass!

Hey Ned, did you get the badge?

Niederlander · June 20, 2011, 09:43:04 PM

Yes, I did! Thank you! Who carries the PRVI brass? I'd love to see Lebels and Berthiers make an appearance. I'm working on an Australian Light Horse outfit, but unfortunately it won't be ready for the Muster in July. (I sort of ran out of funding!)

pony express · June 20, 2011, 10:27:00 PM

Graf's may-or may not-still have some. I've seen it in bags of 50 on Gunbroker, for basically the same price as Graf, or maybe a small markup. Just didn't have any extra cash to grab some at that time. So I'll just have to make do with my one box of 20.(for now)

Niederlander · June 21, 2011, 08:27:23 AM

I just looked at Graf's site, and they supposedly have them in stock and on sale! Maybe we'll see a Legionnaire soon!

cpt dan blodgett · June 21, 2011, 11:55:03 PM

Most fall into the never fired only dropped once category

Niederlander · June 22, 2011, 06:03:47 AM

Quote from: cpt dan blodgett on June 21, 2011, 11:55:03 PM
Most fall into the never fired only dropped once category

Well, yes.....but the Legion usually fired theirs a lot before they died in place! It's hard to believe the French were known as terrific fighters before World War 1, and well into that war for that matter. Just more evidence for the crumbling of d Western Civilization! I'd still like to see someone show up as a Legionnaire!

cpt dan blodgett · June 22, 2011, 09:14:02 AM

By statute, the legionaires were not french. A fact that might explain thier fighting spirit. Not Sure the French have secured a victory in battle since being stopped on the way to Moscow.

Habitually gettings one's butt kicked does not apparently cure arrogance

Drydock · June 22, 2011, 11:02:13 AM

This is not correct. The FFL did not require proof of identity nor a statement of nationality, but did not preclude French nationals from enlisting. Indeed it is estimated that at any one time 75% to 90% of the Legion is French. At the Mexican battle that created the legend of the Legion, of the last 6 that made the final charge, 5 were french.

French Stratigic and tactical successes may have been few since Joan of Arc. (one must remember that Napoleon was Corsican) but the fighting qualities of the individual French soldier are as high as any, and it is beneath us to belittle them here.

cpt dan blodgett · June 22, 2011, 05:42:49 PM

You are correct.

There general arrogance can never be questioned as well.
The Germans actually seem to be a better ally these days.

To tell you the truth - basically none of the Europeans are really our friends. Seems like most of the good one emigrated here long ago.

call me a xenophobe

Pony Racer · June 22, 2011, 08:08:33 PM

8mm lebel ammo and brass is actually quite easy to get ahold of.

I have two berthier carbines and they shoot quite well - the only challenge to using Berthier carbines in a pre WWI variation is finding 3 round clips

The 5 round clip is a WWI fix to give the french soldier abit more ammo in the gun.

I may take mine into the deer stand this year - 8mm lebel will handle white tail nicely and the compactness of the berthier carbine makes it easy on both stand hunting and stalking.

PR

Niederlander · July 03, 2011, 07:32:30 AM

If anyone is interested in doing a French impression, there's a Lebel on Gunbroker right now that looks pretty good (at least as good as a Lebel ever looks) that might go pretty reasonably. It's auction number 238408581. (I have no idea how to do the link thing.)

pony express · July 03, 2011, 02:04:31 PM

Quote from: Pony Racer on June 22, 2011, 08:08:33 PM
I have two berthier carbines and they shoot quite well - the only challenge to using Berthier carbines in a pre WWI variation is finding 3 round clips

Do you ever go on Gunboards? There's someone that posts in the French section, DocAV, that is going to produce reproduction 3rd clips. Last time he posted about it, they had some made, but were doing a lot of testing before sending any out.

Pony Racer · July 03, 2011, 08:12:19 PM

PE thanks I will take a look.

I got lucky when going after the Berthiers. I got a pre WWI variant that will accept the 5 round clipper strip but is setup for the 3 round and then my post WWI variant with the bottom magazine that is still fed by using the clip.

Both shoot equally well and seem to be made quite well too.

I think I have figured out a good battle rifle load to use in GAF and will finish testing it out this fall.

V/r - PR

pony express · July 03, 2011, 08:56:49 PM

I've heard that you can use the 5round ones in a 3 shot, but just only load 3 in the clip. But then the rounds kind of rattle around in the clips, untill it is actually loaded.