Big Dog Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Hi guys I was talking to a very old man who used to be in the home guard. He says he knows where there is an old military rifle that would have been used at the turn of the last century, late 1800' early 1900's. It is bigger calibre than 303 but he doesn't know what calibre it is other than you don't need a FAC for it as you no longer can buy or load ammo for it. Has a big ball type bit on the bolt **** from what I picked up. Not a lot of detail but does anyone know what this gun might be??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 Could it be a French Lebel? Bolt seems right, and it was being issued in 1886 so could be the right time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 If it is a Lebel, it will be an 8mm G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixx Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 If it's an 8mm Lebel, here's some information on it: http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mm_lebel.htm you don't need a FAC for it as you no longer can buy or load ammo for it I definitely wouldn't take that on trust, without checking with you local Firearms Licensing Authority. The ammo is certainly obsolete, but if it's a Lebel it's a centrefire and wouldn't generally be classed as an antique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Mmm, strange. Chuck Hawks describes it as a 8x50 Rimmed, but I have seen another site that states it is an 8x51 Rimmed. http://www.rpgfirearms.com.au/av_ballistics.htm This would also suggest that ammunition COULD be produced to fire it. I would check this out with Bill Harriman at BASC. G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 Just keep in mind that it was only a guess of mine about this rifle I am no expert on firearms of that era, it just sounded a good fit based on the brief description of the bolt, with the age also being a good fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trixx Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 This would also suggest that ammunition COULD be produced to fire it. That was my thought too - wouldn't be that straightforward, but it could certainly be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted October 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Thanks fof the info guys. It is making me more curious about this gun. I will try to get more info on it and maybe even see if I can smooth talk myself into seeing it and I will let you know what come of it. At the range on Saturday I shot a 1935 8mm German Mauser, WoW! what a kick on the shoulder. How did those young men shoot these steel butt plate things repeatedly . The man who owned it said that in the war when they want to know who the prisioners were our how to define those as German who were trying to plend in to other etc, I think he said the Brits got the men to take of their shirts and the one with the brused shoulders were taken as Germans prisioner. Anyway thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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