Tirailleur Algerian new Colonial uniform
US soldiers receive instruction on the Fusil Mle 1886 M93 Lebel rifle.
Chasseur Alpin
US Soldiers receiving instruction on the Lebel Mle 1886 M93 rifle.
An ad hoc force of French and British soldiers prepare for a German attack. March 25, 1918.
Mle 1886 M93 Lebel rifle
Designed by a French commission following general Boulanger’s demands in 1885, based on the previous Gras-Kropatschek rifles. Adopted c.1886, manufactured starting c.1887 by all major French national factories.
8x50mmR Lebel 8-round tubular magazine +1 chambered +1 in the lift, bolt action repeater.
France’s military rifle for a good 60 years, named after colonel Nicolas Lebel who submitted the jacketed bullet idea, the Mle1886 rifle was the first smokeless powder rifle in full military service, one of the first repeating rifles in full military service and later the first one to use spitzer bullets.