In 97% mint condition, we have an very top example of a French Army issued Mle 1892 “Lebel” Service Revolver. This revolver was manufactured in late 1915 or early 1916. Mle 1892 Revolvers made after 1914 are extremely scarce, The State Arsenal at Eitenne was concentrating on more important arms and few were manufactured after early 1915 during the duration of the war. You most likely are aware that the shortfall in handguns was mostly replaced by the “Ruby” models that were being procured from Spain. Revolvers from this period 1915-1918 do not have dated or inspection marked barrels. This example is completely original and the bore is mint.
This was the standard French Officer’s Service side arm from 1892 until it began being replaced in 1939 with the new automatic pistol Mle 1935A, however it stayed in frontline Service with the Army well past WWII and well into the 1960’s with the French National Police. The Pistol was heavily used during the WW2 era by the French Military, the Resistance, and it was also reissued by the Germans who captured vast quantities in 1940. One could think of no better pistol to represent the French Resistance movement during the time of the Nazi Occupation of France. This is a wonderful example of a French Service pistol at the outbreak of hostilities in 1914 and again in 1939.
