french 8mm lebel

[footwart]

I inherited this lebel almost thirty years ago. My father sent it home from France when he was in the second world war, I used to shoot it every now and then just to punish my shoulder. lol. I have been told it has been sporterized but I have no clue except that it has looked like my whole life [60 yrs]

 

[CapnMac]

I could be wrong, but that looks like it used to be a Berthier. And a Carbine, if that front sight is original.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Berthier, not Lebel, though they take the same cartridge.

 

[Archie]

Yes, a Berthier (BER-the-a [not BER-the-er] to the best of my limited French) chambered for the 8mm Lebel cartridge and used by France for the same reason the U. S. used the M1917 rifle. That version is the three shot early version. One can tell as the three shot enbloc loader fits entirely into the receiver within the stock. The later types had a five round loader and the mechanism stuck out a bit. However, without the enbloc device, it will operate only as a single shot.
The cartridge itself is loaded (or used to be prior to COVID) by PPU currently and is a real rifle round. Probably small for Moose and Grizzly bear, it will take deer and smaller game quite well.

That Carbine has been 'sporterized'. The fore stock went out to the front sight and had a bayonet mount. And the wood was not as finished.

 

[CapnMac]

a Berthier (BER-the-a

I was given to understand it was "BEhR tea ay" with a declining emphasis on the last syllable. Admittedly, my read French is better than my pronounced French, at least to the standards to l'eccole franaçis (been too many cajuns in my life )

Those Berthiers can be fun to shoot, if going dry all too quickly. (Which may be a benefit given the amount wanted for the ammo.)

 

[AlexanderA]

Berthier Mle 1890 carbine. That would be an easy restoration, if you could find a stock and a front band.

 

[rabid wombat]

Ammo is surprisingly available, and not stupidly priced….https://ammoseek.com/ammo/8mm-lebel

 

[Johnm1]

Just make sure you use the correct loading. Originally chambered for the Balle M it was later modified for the Balle D. If the barrel is unmarked it still shoots the Ball M. If marked with a D it is the more Modern/available 198 grain spritzer bullet. The chambers were modified to accept the longer 198 grain bullet.

I am not an expert but be certain you understand what type of round your rifle fires. Mine, long gone now, was Still chambered for the earlier loading. But the chamber was so degraded the chamber cast indicated it wouldn’t matter.

Just be careful. Here is a good link.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/8×50mmR_Lebel

 

[Archie]

I was given to understand it was "BEhR tea ay" with a declining emphasis on the last syllable. Admittedly, my read French is better than my pronounced French, at least to the standards to l'eccole franaçis (been too many cajuns in my life )

I think you are correct. I don't really speak the language, but the study of firearms exposes me greatly.

Those Berthiers can be fun to shoot, if going dry all too quickly. (Which may be a benefit given the amount wanted for the ammo.)

PPU makes (made prior to COVID panic) 8mm Lebel with the annular ring in the head. Not dirt cheap, but reasonable. And one can find loading equipment and components (again before COVID [BC]) fairly easy.
Finding the en bloc holders is the hard part.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

This would be a Lebel

And this, a Berthier rifle that was cut down to a carbine. Both are fun to shoot, but the Berthier carbine does have bigger bite when it comes to recoil.

 

[792mauser]

Those little 8mm lebel Berthier carbines have some nasty recoil.

I have the rifle version of that little carbine. And even that has a stiff recoil.

 

[woodnbow]

Those little 8mm lebel Berthier carbines have some nasty recoil.

I have the rifle version of that little carbine. And even that has a stiff recoil.

They BARK too! The old Remington UMC 8mm lebel factory loads were supposed to be loaded for the rifles and the carbine barrel really barks. Nighttime firing is definitely recommended!!!

 

[palmetto dave]

I have a Berthier my gunsmith uncle cut down before it was passed down to me. those standard 200grain rounds do kick like a mule. I got Lee reloading dies and with them reloading data. 40 grains of Reloader 15 with a Speer Hot-Core 150 grain bullet reloads that PPU brass quite nicely. Just be careful on the press, the case can dimple pretty easily. Shooting the lighter round is a pleasure, though. Doesn't kick nearly as bad. There is load data on 125 grain too, but I haven't found any 125 8mm bullets.