I was in a gun shop yesterday just wasting time. The shop owner has cut back his hours and days that he is open and that is a real shame. Anyway, I scanned the used gun racks and saw two 1892 French carbines in 8mm Lebel. One was much nicer with a perfect bore, matching numbers and was more expensive. I set it back and will pick it up next week. Now I will have something to hold when I watch "Beau Geste" or movies about the Foreign Legion. Take care...
Joe

An interesting rifle. Was it black powder? A 3 shot clip, too.

www.angelfire.com/vt/m...thier.html

slimjim,
The 1892 Carbine was used with smokeless powder rounds. Yes, it requires the 3-round clip to load the magazine. The rifle I set back is like new. The gun shop owner attributed the outstanding condition of the rifle to the fact that it was never fired, just dropped once. Take care...
Joe

Wow- battle rifles are cool. Interesting cartridge. Never seen one of these before. Should get some looks at the range.

Can you relaod for this and/or is there non-corrosive ammo available?

I love old rilfes. Check out that bolt handle and stacking hook.

stovepipe,
The 8mm Lebel was the first military smokeless powder cartridge and caused Germany and the U.S. to look for a military round to keep up. Too bad that French rifles look like a blacksmith made them. Put a Mauser or Springfield or U.S. Enfield next to a French military bolt action and you will see the difference in workmanship.

Yes, it is possible to get 8mm Lebel boxer primed brass, bullets and dies. Take care...
Joe

BRASS CAN BE MADE FROM .348 WIN.

Joe,
Sounds like you did just fine. All the best...
Gil

After looking at "Small Arms of the World", it seems I have Model 1916 Carbine (based on the 3-shot Model 1892) that was modified in 1927 to accommodate 5-round clips. That is even better. The bore is perfect and it has matching numbers. Take care...
Joe

Sounds better and better!

I understand that the collectors' value of this rifle is doubled - - if it comes with the original white flag.