I made an erroneous off the cuff comment about the French not using corrosive ammo in these rifles. As another commenter pointed out, that is obviously incorrect as most militaries didn't make the switch until the 1950's although non-corrosive was commercially available much earlier. Unfortunately I didn't catch it in editing and I'd rather not take this down and reupload the video.
Nice rifle. I bought one from RTI also. Mine is a numbers matching "A" tier. The finish is the same. Mine was made in 1890. Mine came missing an extractor, witch they replaced. It also has a great bore.
Looks nice, I would blue it if you want to as it would help hide some of that pitting. Sorry to hear about the part, hopefully you can find a good source for it. Good to hear the bore looks nice at least.
Very nice cleanup job and the rifle looks great! I would say most definitely do the bluing. Can't wait to see it when done! I'd like to get one as well but I never have any luck getting decent random pick surplus rifles...
Id say go for it on refinishing it will look great especially if done to look like a French arsenal did it. Its not the same as sportizing in my opinion. RTI said they hired some of the Ethiopians to clean some of the weapons, exactly what that means is just a guess
If you do try to re-blue it, I'd check first to see if it's compatible with the steel they used at the time. I'm sure it's waaay different than the steel used in modern firearms. Just a heads up.
Interesting on the non-corrosive ammo. I thought all ammo was corrosive up until around 1920 (and even then it took until the late 1940s before the majority was non-corrosive)
Given that it's over 130 yrs old and used by two countries in multiple conflicts, it's in really good condition. I haven't shot it yet, but given the bore condition, it should shoot just fine.
Hello there i just got one from RTI and have the same problem with the Magazine lip catch. Do you think you’d be able to help me in any way find a replacement or in general help in any way as I just got dummy rounds and am disappointed with this as I have this plus the missing extractor issue.
Unfortunately Lebel extractors are pretty much unobtainium. I would contact RTI and see if they can replace it. I got lucky and found a complete lever assembly on Liberty Tree, but haven't seen any since. You might set up an alert for Lebel parts on Ebay. I've never used them, but I've heard that you might be able to find parts on the french site www.naturabuy.fr/
I made an erroneous off the cuff comment about the French not using corrosive ammo in these rifles. As another commenter pointed out, that is obviously incorrect as most militaries didn't make the switch until the 1950's although non-corrosive was commercially available much earlier. Unfortunately I didn't catch it in editing and I'd rather not take this down and reupload the video.
Nice rifle. I bought one from RTI also. Mine is a numbers matching "A" tier. The finish is the same. Mine was made in 1890. Mine came missing an extractor, witch they replaced. It also has a great bore.
Glad you got a good one and that they replaced the extractor for you.
This is exactly how mines come out.
All matched but needs extractor
I waited on the fence till they sold out. Glad your dice roll worked out.
Wow... What a cleaning job! That looks AWESOME!
Thank you!
Very nice man! If mine comes in this good of shape I'll be very happy.
Hope you get a good one!
That looks awesome now it's cleaned up...nice job 👏👍👍👍👍
Thanks 👍
Looks good. I’d be interested to see it if you refinish it
Thanks...I have decided to blue it, but not sure when I'll get to it.
You got a rather good one 👍
Thanks! Just posted a shooting video with it.
thats pretty cool a buddy got one not from rti he loves it
Looks nice, I would blue it if you want to as it would help hide some of that pitting. Sorry to hear about the part, hopefully you can find a good source for it. Good to hear the bore looks nice at least.
I did find the part fairly easily, so it's all good. I will probably blue it eventually.
Very nice cleanup job and the rifle looks great! I would say most definitely do the bluing. Can't wait to see it when done! I'd like to get one as well but I never have any luck getting decent random pick surplus rifles...
Thanks! Will do the bluing eventually. Probably a project for this winter.
Ha, good timing, just wondered if you had a cleaning up video
Id say go for it on refinishing it will look great especially if done to look like a French arsenal did it. Its not the same as sportizing in my opinion.
RTI said they hired some of the Ethiopians to clean some of the weapons, exactly what that means is just a guess
Thanks...it will be a good project for me for this winter.
If you do try to re-blue it, I'd check first to see if it's compatible with the steel they used at the time. I'm sure it's waaay different than the steel used in modern firearms. Just a heads up.
Do the Bluing! It should turn out sharp!
That's the plan, if I ever get the time.
I'd be super interested to watch this rifle being reblued :)
It's on the list, but I probably won't get to it for a while. Thanks for watching!
Interesting on the non-corrosive ammo. I thought all ammo was corrosive up until around 1920 (and even then it took until the late 1940s before the majority was non-corrosive)
You are correct...the dangers of speaking off the cuff. Unfortunately YT doesn't have a great way to edit vids after they are posted.
How do you date these lebels? Mine got rebarreled by tulle in 1936 but i want to know what the production date would be of the original reciever
IF you get a lebel or berthier with a broken extractor your pretty much out of luck lol. theyre impossible to find!
Interesting how banged up it is. Have you fired this rifle? Considering picking one up.
Given that it's over 130 yrs old and used by two countries in multiple conflicts, it's in really good condition. I haven't shot it yet, but given the bore condition, it should shoot just fine.
@@usna98 I picked up a Enfield a while back and it was trashed from them. I'm hesitant. Want a lebel and a mas 36. Can't find either bar royal tiger
@@nathanieljones7981 It's always a dice roll with RTI. Auctions are always a good bet, but the prices tend to be a lot higher. Good luck.
@@usna98 thanks, If you ever have any ones for sale let us know. Always like a proven fired rifle
Hello there i just got one from RTI and have the same problem with the Magazine lip catch. Do you think you’d be able to help me in any way find a replacement or in general help in any way as I just got dummy rounds and am disappointed with this as I have this plus the missing extractor issue.
Unfortunately Lebel extractors are pretty much unobtainium. I would contact RTI and see if they can replace it. I got lucky and found a complete lever assembly on Liberty Tree, but haven't seen any since. You might set up an alert for Lebel parts on Ebay. I've never used them, but I've heard that you might be able to find parts on the french site www.naturabuy.fr/
What’s the exact part that I’d need? If possible I can send a video showing what’s happening. I wonder if that part can be made at a gunsmith
@@anthonymanzijr5014 It's a carrier lever spring: www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1158870
What was that french site?
www.naturabuy.fr
Blue it
That's the plan when I get some time.
Like I said last time it really looks like its been sand blasted or wire wheeled but nevertheless definitely a rifle I'd love to own too
If its as white as it is i say reblue it lol
That's the plan...it's on my long list of projects now.
No rust blue fix broken parts stop rusting replace missing parts never rust blue