SOLD - French Lebel Model 1886 M93-R35 Carbine

Description

4/27/23 - This is a very nice example of a French Lebel Model 1886 M95-R35 Carbine, dated 1938. Between 1935 and 1940, a carbine-length (17.7 inch barrel) version of the Lebel was issued to mounted colonial troops in North Africa. This short carbine version of the Lebel, called the Mle 1886 M93-R35, was assembled in large numbers (about 50,000) at Manufacture d'Armes de Tulle (MAT), beginning in 1935. It used all of the Lebel's parts except for a newly manufactured shorter barrel of carbine length. Since the new carbine's tube magazine had to be shortened as well, its magazine capacity was only three rounds. The left side of the receiver marked with the remnants of MANUFACTURE D'ARMES / St. ?âtienne, and to the right MLE 1886 M 93 / R 35, indicating manufacture at the government arsenal at St. Etienne. The "M 93" is separate stamping, indicating that the receiver was originally produced between 1886 and 1893, before the bolt modification was standard. The right side of the breech is dated 1938. This one is completely matching, including the stock. The metal parts have a black enamel finish, which is correct for these WW2 converted guns. There is just light chipping and scratches in the finish throughout and some wear on the butt plate. Very nice wood stock with only minor handling marks here and there. Mint bore.