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Need help with French Revolver...

5K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  Gilbert Munoz 
#1 ·
I recently acquired a little French revolver and I was hoping for a little help I understanding it.. Made by Manufrance in St. Atiennes, model "L'agent," caliber 8mm. 5-shot revolver with an octagonal barrel and wooden grips. Has a funny little swing-out ejection rod and a sprung loading gate. Bluing is at about 50% and, although there is minor pitting on the barrel and cylinder, the bore and chAmbers look remarkably good. Timing seems very good and, for it's presumable age, it's pretty tight. I CANNOT find a a serial number on it anywhere. I am looking for any advice on it's year of manufacture, approximate value (for about 50% condition) and if the 8mm "Lebel" ammo is available.... Would love to shoot it (and the 8mm Lebel seems like a fairly anemic round anyway) but would have it checked by a professional first.... Any advice would be greatly appreciated....
MAC.
 
#2 ·
Please describe the item in as much detail as possible.

Detail does not mean "in good shape" ,describe how the wood is, how much blueing (% of original finish left) there is etc., and anything else you see that may be helpful.

Tell us all marking, words, and letters anywhere on the gun.

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#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Fiocchi makes new ammunition for the 8mm Lebel,,,
In fact I recently purchased 550 rounds of it.

Unfortunately they only make one run of this ammo every 2-3 years.

Midway carries it but they are currently out of stock,,,
Palmetto State Armory also carries it but they are also out of stock.

You can contact Fiocchi USA at this addresses on this webpage,,,
They are located in Ozark, Missouri and Boulder City, Nevada.
Click here please.

I wrote to them and they gave me a list of distributors they shipped that ammo to,,,
I contacted the dealers and was able to find that 550 rounds I mentioned.

There is also one place that will make ammo using cut-down 32-20 cartridges,,,
And they're not all that expensive and they shot well from my 1892 Lebel.

Gads Custom Cartridges,,,
$35.00 for 50 rounds.

In a pinch I have read that you can shoot .32 Long through an 8mm Lebel,,,
But the people I know who have tried that say half of the cases split,,,
So I mention it but wouldn't recommend doing it.

Here is some reloading data I found.



Margaux, my Model 1892 Lebel six shot revolver, was made in 1903,,,
That makes her eleventy one years old this year.

FORUM VIOLATION

In any case,,,
I hope this helps you.

Aarond

.
 

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#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
Fiocchi makes new ammunition for the 8mm Lebel,,,
In fact I recently purchased 550 rounds of it.

Unfortunately they only make one run of this ammo every 2-3 years.

Midway carries it but they are currently out of stock,,,
Palmetto State Armory also carries it but they are also out of stock.

You can contact Fiocchi USA at this addresses on this webpage,,,
They are located in Ozark, Missouri and Boulder City, Nevada.
Click here please.

I wrote to them and they gave me a list of distributors they shipped that ammo to,,,
I contacted the dealers and was able to find that 550 rounds I mentioned.

There is also one place that will make ammo using cut-down 32-20 cartridges,,,
And they're not all that expensive and they shot well from my 1892 Lebel.

Gads Custom Cartridges,,,
$35.00 for 50 rounds.

In a pinch I have read that you can shoot .32 Long through an 8mm Lebel,,,
But the people I know who have tried that say half of the cases split,,,
So I mention it but wouldn't recommend doing it.

Here is some reloading data I found.



Margaux, my Model 1892 Lebel six shot revolver, was made in 1903,,,
That makes her eleventy one years old this year.

Would you be interested in selling your 5-shooter?,,,
Margaux would love to have a little sister.

In any case,,,
I hope this helps you.

Aarond

.
Great information!! Thank you! Very nice 1892...
 
#7 ·
#6 ·
Revolver Hand Finger
Firearm Gun Revolver Trigger Gun accessory
Gun Revolver Firearm Trigger Starting pistol

I am new to this, but will try to better exain the revolver.. On the top strap is stAmped "Manufactre Francoise D'arms et Cycles de Saint-Etienne" and on the top of the 1 3/4" barrel is stamped "L'AGENT." On the lower frame on the right side is stamped "CALIBRE 8m." On the right side of the barrel (and upside down) is stamped "STETIENNE." I have also found small illegible cartouches, on on the rear of the cylinder between two chambers and others under the right grip, along the side of the front strap. I will try to include a few pics. With the grips removed for cleaning. Am I missing a serial number here somewhere? Firearm Gun Revolver Trigger Gun accessory
Gun Firearm Trigger Revolver Gun accessory
 
#12 ·
View attachment 86465 View attachment 86464 View attachment 86463
I am new to this, but will try to better exain the revolver.. On the top strap is stAmped "Manufactre Francoise D'arms et Cycles de Saint-Etienne" and on the top of the 1 3/4" barrel is stamped "L'AGENT." On the lower frame on the right side is stamped "CALIBRE 8m." On the right side of the barrel (and upside down) is stamped "STETIENNE." I have also found small illegible cartouches, on on the rear of the cylinder between two chambers and others under the right grip, along the side of the front strap. I will try to include a few pics. With the grips removed for cleaning. Am I missing a serial number here somewhere? View attachment 86461 View attachment 86462
I have this same gun and Im trying to fix it up but its missing the hammer do you happen to have a picture of the hole hammer. Im not sure what it looks like and everywhere i look does not show a picture of it.
 
#10 ·
Serial numbers were not required by either the French government nor the US government at that time and era. Many large gun makers used it as a method of inventory and quality control ( and government firearms required it ), but the smaller makers ( small inventory, ) didn't bother. One catcher in the rye, if was made prior to 1935 ( in the US ) no serial number was required on handguns, BUT!, if it had a serial number and it was remover or defaced well, it then becomes illegal. regardless of when it was made or who made it.
 
#13 ·
Gilbert, you are posting in a thread that is three years old. The original poster has not been seen since then...
 
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