RTI LEBEL RIFLE UNBOXING | French Mle 1886 M93 ANTIQUE Royal Tiger Imports | GREAT WAR Milsurp 8mm

[@usna98]

Thanks for the shoutout! Looking forward to seeing it cleaned up. Looks like yours also got hit by the infamous wire wheel.

[@jasontorre3267]

Yes he did. So did mine. Bought an A teir numbers matching rifle. Also made in 1890 by the same manufacturer. Ultrasonic cleaning will help clean up. Especially if you don't have the proper bits to remove the screws. The lebel can be a bit fiddly to disasemble. By the way France ball N and D were not corrosive Ammo. Make sure your rifle has the N marks on it before you shoot surplus Ammo. Privi Partizan ammunition is made to ball D standards. Best of luck! Hope it shoots well.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Yeah they wheeled it for sure. It still seems to be in nice shape though and I was pretty happy all the serial number were matching including the stock except for the bolt.

[@ReadinessReviews]

It is not N updated since it stayed in Africa while those updates were happening so I'll be shooting PPU.

[@mnicrashSoren]

I thought it look sand blasted wire wheel explains it

[@dubc3615]

I really like the look of it even as it is aged and needs a lot of work. Another good one to add the collection and its a labor of love getting it all fixed up. Always like the updates of the guns after you show them.

[@ReadinessReviews]

This one was a huge check off the list. It's one of the most important firearms historically speaking. I still haven't had time to get it properly cleaned up yet unfortunately.

[@W.Edwardovich]

I’ve been curious about these. great review

[@ReadinessReviews]

Yeah I haven't seen much about the ones RTI are offering.

[@shawnoandrew]

Awesome, thanks for posting. Still waiting with baited breath for hunters lodge order.....

[@ReadinessReviews]

I'm going to reach out to them again tomorrow or the next day.

[@lockbars5456]

I also enjoyed USNA98's video. He also has neat videos on the Hanyang 88s he got, among other videos. IIRC many Lebels have replacement stocks. The roundel may be worn away or the stock may be a replacement. I believe replacement stocks were numbered, but I do know they did not recieve a roundel. That being said, it could just be worn away. I found a very nice condition and matching Lebel for 1600 at a gunshop. I consider myself very lucky because most are very worn. Thanks for the video, it was fun to watch.

[@ReadinessReviews]

The serial number on the stock was quite worn but was matching so I'm pretty sure it was the original stock. I'm going to be putting out a Hanyang 88 restoration video myself eventually. It's just a really big project 😅

[@steventuck1524]

I purchased an 1886 lebel rifle from a local gunshop last year in very good condition...no stock cracks...about 70 percent finish remaining...excellent bore...all for the sum total of 350 bucks! The bargains are out there...just keep looking and avoid ripoff companies like royal tiger imports!

[@laurentdevaux5617]

This bayonet is also French, it's a 1956 bayonet made for the semi-auto rifle MAS 1949-56. It was also used, in a more modern version, for the FAMAS assault rifle. Hope you found a sling swivel, it's a rather easy to find and cheap part, at least here in France

[@marktroddyn3351]

I'm getting my B grade Saturday. Just happy to have a piece of history!

[@ReadinessReviews]

Nice!! Let me know how it is

[@MitchC357]

Glad you got a rifle you are satisfied with.

[@ReadinessReviews]

I won't be completely satisfied unless it can hit a paper plate at 100 lol

[@Firefighter_303]

@@ReadinessReviews how does it shoot?

[@texascastblast5011]

I got a Yugo 48, SMLE 3, Gras carbine, and the Italian Vetterli 70/87 from RTI, haven’t had the chance to look at them yet, but will do videos on them when I get the chance

[@ReadinessReviews]

I've wanted to get a M48 from them several times but I'm just too afraid of bore condition. If I get a M48 I want it to be a good shooter because I have lots of 8mm Mauser ammo lol.

[@tracyphillips3325]

Hi brother! Nice buy. It should clean up fairly well. I'm sure it will operate just fine, with a very thorough cleaning. I believe it will be as accurate as the sites that are on it. Have a great day, and take care 👍

[@ReadinessReviews]

Hey there buddy! Thanks for taking a look. Hope you and your family are doing well! I'm looking forward to seeing how this one does at the range.

[@MultiMagnum62]

Howdy Amigo!!!! Nice looking firearm, on the outside at least. As always, great history lesson, sir. Peace, John.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Thanks brother! Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

[@someguy2741]

The broken loop is probably the same as a berthier. They made a ton of them too. Its probably 20 dollars. I found them on a lot of the part websites being parted out. Any internals would be far less good to deal with.

[@ReadinessReviews]

I'll take a look. Lebel parts isn't something I've really looked into since I didn't have one until now.

[@danheimmermann3497]

Great Video. Hope the bore turns out well. These are great rifle though.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Thanks! Yeah I'm hoping it will shoot decent.

[@SmittyMRE]

Love the crud explosion, haha.

[@64KarmannGhia]

Curious would you roll the dice on a cutdown version Of this? I’ve always wanted a lebel and missed the boat for the full size rifle but i see they have two cut downs left.. I feel like the price is a bit high especially because it’s been cut down but curious on your thoughts?

[@notafed6817]

Wish I could have the collection you do haha

[@ReadinessReviews]

I hear the ATF reference collection is pretty comprehensive 😂

[@arkgaming3730]

wish I could find one of these

[@ReadinessReviews]

I looked for one for a year before setting on RTI.

[@arkgaming3730]

@@ReadinessReviews shame the only ones they have now are the butchered Ethiopian ones

[@markmason3146]

Did you decide if you will buy again from royal tiger? Great videos keep up the good work Mark

[@ReadinessReviews]

I haven't made any other orders since this one but I'm not going to say it couldn't happen again.

[@annhilater1985]

it touches brass cause those old lebels had oversized bores, slug the barrel itll prob come out at .329

[@ReadinessReviews]

Yeah it may need handloading for decent accuracy.

[@estright9293]

Looks like a mas 49 bayonet...hope my 49/56 I ordered is decent

[@ReadinessReviews]

Correct on the bayonet! I'm really looking forward to seeing your 49/56. I've been close to buying one myself a few times since the price drop.

[@robs2747]

I just got a Spanish m43 and sent it back. Bore was a rusty sewer pipe and unshootable. Just getting a refund and out 27.00 in shipping

[@ReadinessReviews]

Dang. Sorry to hear that man.

[@robs2747]

@@ReadinessReviews I was actually surprised that customer service was on top of it for once

[@ReadinessReviews]

@@robs2747 true. It took months for they to resolve my last issue.

[@picklepea9186]

I just got mine today. Gotta say NOT WORTH THE PRICE FOR THE CONDITION! Fire pin spring is broke and it looks like a rust bucket. I pray after cleaning and a quick shoot it wont blow up.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Have you had the chance to clean it up yet?

[@picklepea9186]

@@ReadinessReviews yes and i found more broken parts. Mechanical spring is broken the piece for the magazine disconnect is broken and sear spring screw is seized and that screw i cant find a part for. Otherwise its beautiful minus the rotting stock lol.

[@ReadinessReviews]

@@picklepea9186 oof

[@miketaylor5212]

1886 level the french first line rifle that was not as produced as their 2nd line rifle the berthier which was used up into ww2.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Well they did have a ton of them made well before the start of the Great War.

[@DelGTAGrndrs]

I want one so bad

[@someguy2741]

I want one too but the prices got crazy. If you want to get something cheaper you can look for 1907/15 berthier carbines. Remington made some for WWI and the contract failed and they couldnt be delivered. The guns were bought by the government and they floated around a bit but they are somewhat rare. Somehow a lot of them ended up in Canada. I see them all the time and nobody knows what they are so they are cheap. The french arsenals made a zillion of them so those should be easy. Stay away from the milsurp ammo. Also if the gun doesnt have a N stamped on top of the trunnion you need to use PPU 8mm lebel or you will damage the gun. The french spiced up the 8mm in 1932 and re-cut the chambers on everything in inventory to open them up a bit. If the gun was out of french hands it wouldnt have been upgraded. Lastly... if you havent heard of Forgotten Weapons check him out. He made a book that he is just about out of stock. Chassepot to Famas. He has tons of videos. Also... check out C&Rsenal video on it. They make huge great historical education-grade videos. Lol. You probably already know this but I got on a roll! I will post this on the main thread too.

[@ReadinessReviews]

That's how I felt before getting one lol

[@bad74maverick1]

That's not rust on the sight. It looks like the same dried axle grease the Nepal cache of weapons were coated with when stored. Also RTI has gotten so much hate they have stopped doing such things as wire wheeling the guns like your which is why yours looks "so nice".... They can come as is now.

[@ReadinessReviews]

I'd rather them be as is

[@bad74maverick1]

@@ReadinessReviews I just ordered a Grade B yesterday. Pre 1898 selected one they forgot to charge me for and gave me an option for hand select (hand select B grade? Okay). So I paid 699 for the pre 1898 plus 200 for hand select and the girl on the phone said the warehouse manager said they weren't being wire wheeled any more. Can't wait to get it. I might to a video on it.

[@serioussoldier7977]

Man your a glutton for punishment huh, well at least it looks overall decent.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Haha. Yeah I guess so. I had to use the store credit on something and a Lebel is a huge cross off the list.

[@michaelholmes3724]

Oof that finish. Not good at all, or should I say… not there at all.

[@ReadinessReviews]

Yeah it's just not there 😅 better than a rusty mess though.