1913 french MLE M16 St Etienne rifle m16

[redmistnmysight]

hi guys and gals. just thought this rifle was worth sharing. hope you enjoy. if anybody knows what caliber these are in i would appreciate the info.

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[BillM]

hi guys and gals. just thought this rifle was worth sharing. hope you enjoy. if anybody knows what caliber these are in i would appreciate the info.

Caliber is 8mm Lebel. Yours appears to have a 5 rd magazine. I have
a Berthier 1907/15 which is similar, but has a 3 rd magazine. Bought
mine to accessorize a bayonet.

Neat old guns, ammo is a bit hard to find.

 

[redmistnmysight]

great info. thanks. wish i had a bayonet for this one.

 

[redmistnmysight]

there is some vintage ammo on gunbroker for ok price. but it would seem like such a shame to use it. maybe when $ is more available, like thats gonna happen anytime soon.

 

[fingolfen]

Nice!!!! I've always liked the old Frenchie rifles...

 

[NWMoss]

Was it ever dropped in combat?

 

[redmistnmysight]

im pretty sure this saw combat and was likely "dropped". wether the gun or the body hit the ground first is a question i cant answer. but on the left side of the stock there is an intentional X cut into it. this is not like some of the other scrapes or small cuts on the stock, its old. i like to think its a kill mark, but it could merely just be identification mark for someones rifle.

 

[coctailer]

Vintage 8 Lebel is prone to hang-fire as well.

Keep it pointed down-range after the "click".............it will go off eventually. Never seen a dud.

 

[redmistnmysight]

hmmmm. sounds like fun. i love this forum, except for the addiction part.

 

[fingolfen]

Vintage 8 Lebel is prone to hang-fire as well.

Keep it pointed down-range after the "click".............it will go off eventually. Never seen a dud.

Sounds like flintlocks - it would take me a while to get used to shooting anything with a delay like that...

 

[coctailer]

Sounds like flintlocks - it would take me a while to get used to shooting anything with a delay like that...

The delay can be a lot worse than a flintlock. Still fun to shoot though.

 

[BillM]

great info. thanks. wish i had a bayonet for this one.

Actually the bayonets are not all that uncommon. Metal grip with a round boss that fits the recess on your nosepiece. Round blued steel sheath.
The "blade" is cruciform---4 cutting edges in an X. Too lazy to go measure it, but I'm guessing the blade length is around 16".


A lot of dealers aren't even sure what the darned things fit.Had one tell me it was "civil war".
He got a little irate when I asked him which civil war--cause it sure as heck
wasn't the American one!

They seem to run $50-$100 or so, but I've seen some down around $35.

ETA: Link to bayonet pix.

<broken link removed>

My bayonet is like #300, and will fit your rifle. Possibly yours
could have had one like #308 also.

 

[trainsktg]

Was it ever dropped in combat?

Since the French Military School of Capitulation requires raising BOTH hands in surrender, I'd say that it was definitely dropped...most probably BEFORE combat actually started though.

Seriously, a neat rifle. Looks like a really nice example.

Keith

 

[redmistnmysight]

does anybody know of a decent subsitiute for the 8mm lebel munition? preferably something that could be purchased localy. those are some serious looking bayonets. imagine getting stuck with one of those bad boys.