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James K · August 1, 2000, 10:53 PM

Hi, eric21,

There was a French military rifle designated as the Model (Mle) 1916, used in WWI, and still in reserve in WWII for what part the French had in it. It is a 5 shot, bolt action, loading with an "en-bloc" clip that enters the magazine, in the Mannlicher style. The cartridge is the 8x50R Lebel, which is large at the base and so takes a lot of room, requiring a deep magazine which extends well below the wood stock. There is no safety, but there is a deep round cut in the cocking piece with knurling.

The markings, though, I don't recognize. The "ET'ts" could be "Etats" ("states"), possibly a marking put on by some government that acquired the rifle after WWI (though who would possibly want a Mle. 1916 I don't know). Can you take a better look and see what other markings might be on the rifle.

HTH

Jim

August 1, 2000, 10:53 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, eric21, There was a French military rifle designated as the Model (Mle) 1916, used in WWI, and still in reserve in WWII for what part the French had in it. It is a 5 shot, bolt action, loading with an "en-bloc" clip that enters the magazine, in the Mannlicher style. The cartridge is the 8x50R Lebel, which is large at the base and so takes a lot of room, requiring a deep magazine which extends well below the wood stock. There is no safety, but there is a deep round cut in the cocking piece with knurling. The markings, though, I don't recognize. The "ET'ts" could be "Etats" ("states"), possibly a marking put on by some government that acquired the rifle after WWI (though who would possibly want a Mle. 1916 I don't know). Can you take a better look and see what other markings might be on the rifle. HTH Jim