Guns International #: 100851635
Seller's Inventory #: M17-460.5

Category - Military Revolvers - Non-US - Military Arms

Category
Military Revolvers - Non-US
Military Arms

Model 1892 French St. Etienne "Lebel" Revolver in 8mm French Ordnance SOLD

Description:
For sale, a very nice original St. Etienne "Lebel" revolver chambered in 8mm French Ordnance.  This French Army revolver was a very good replacement for the MAS 1873 revolver and featured a solid frame and a swing out cylinder that swings out to the right side rather than the left like most.  This was done because the original design was for a cavalry revolver, and the soldiers were expected to hold the revolver in their left hand and their cavalry saber in their right.  The Model 1892 had another very ingenious design feature, the whole gun could be opened up for access to the lockworks and easy cleaning with the turning of one screw.  The 1892 St. Etienne revolver served the French military from it's adoption in 1892 all the way thru WW1 and into the 1930's.  While officially replaced in 1935 by a semi auto pistol, many 1892's saw service in WW2 due to necessity.  The French Police also used the Model 1892 from its inception onward to the 1960's!  It had an extremely long service life.  While France was well known for equipping their troops with poorly designed and outdated weapons, the St. Etienne 1892 revolver was an exception.  It was a high quality, well designed weapon that was extremely reliable.  The biggest knock on this revolver was the cartridge it was chambered in.  The 8mm French Ordnance cartridge was the equivalent to the .32 ACP and lacked stopping power.  This example is dated 1901 and is in good shape overall, and mechanically it is excellent.  The original blue finish looks great, and there are traces of the straw finish on some of the small parts.  The factory checkered walnut grips are nice and solid with no cracks or repairs.  The bores are in excellent condition in both the barrel and the cylinder.  Because the 8mm French Ordnance cartridge was black powder originally, most Model 1892's have terrible or very pitted and worn bores.  The bore in this revolver is bright and clean with no pitting or erosion whatsoever.  The rifling is strong, with sharp and well defined lands and grooves.  Everything works 100% on this revolver like the day it left the factory.  The lock up is amazing, there is ZERO wiggle/movement at full lock.  This is a very nice example of this important French revolver and would be a great shooter and investment.          

SOLD

Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: St. Etienne
Model: Model 1892
Serial Number: G 79294
Caliber Info: 8mm French Ordnance