Thanks, bro. The video saved my ass during the reassembly stage when I failed to install the bolt in the cocked position. Thanks. First time I've done the break down. Slide and action is much smoother. The works were filthy, probably first time cleaned in 18 years, based on what the collector from whom I bought it told me. Thanks again. Aloha, Loren
I no longer own the rifle so I'm not sure I can give you an especially detailed answer, but you may need to push down harder on the bolt body to fully expose the rear end of the firing pin so you can better see what you're doing as you slide the retaining piece into the grooves at the end of the firing pin. I used that piece of scrap wood in the video because I don't mind punching deep holes in it with the tip of the firing pin as a result of pushing down hard. If the retaining piece physically won't fit onto the grooves at the rear of the firing pin, the parts may be damaged/misshapen somehow.
Great vid thank you. I just bought oThis 1886 level for $100 with all numbers matching. Only problem I have is trying to find ammo, front sight, and bayonet. Got any suggestions.
$100? That's a pretty great deal, nice find. I don't think I can help you with the front sight (you might try asking on a forum like Gunboards) but you can often find both the ammo and bayonets on Gunbroker (that's where I got my Lebel bayonet). You can also find modern newly-made ammo for it on Ammo-One.com but do note that it's very pricy there ($50 for a 20 round box).
Sorry, but I don't have this rifle anymore... though I do think I remember that the bolt head had a lug on a rotating collar that locked into the bolt body, or something like that.
I bought mine on Gunbroker; they'll pop up there every once and a while. However, it should be noted that many sellers there won't ship outside the United States.
I have another video on this rifle regarding disassembly of the forearm and magazine. It might be worth checking to see if the magazine spring is intact if you plan on shooting it someday. Is there anything specifically wrong with your rifle?
It should be very similar if not exactly the same... I think the only big difference between them is that the locking lugs on the Lebel bolt lock horizontally while the Berthier's lock vertically, which I don't think would have any effect on the disassembly process.
I'll have to try it when I get home. The head comes off exactly the same and it has the same straight groove of the bolt retention cap just like the lebel so I would think it would be the same
I have a question. When I shot my Lebel I was having problems with the cartridge elevator. Whenever I would pull the bolt back all the way to snap it up, it would make the cartridge fly completely out of the rifle. My Lebel is N marked for the Balle N ammunition. I was using 175 grain loads made by PCI. Could it be a problem with the action, or is the Lebel picky about ammo and needs a heavier/longer round to cycle properly?
Hello, apologies for the delayed response. As a matter of a fact I have some original Balle N ammo and found that using it, I could not reproduce your problem in my rifle. In fact, I found it difficult to even pick the cartridge out of the elevator by hand. I suspect your issue is indeed with bullets that are too light and short. The lightest bullet the Lebel was originally intended to use, the Balle D, is around 200 grains. Perhaps pulling the bolt back somewhat more gently would have an effect?
I will try. What is the best way to access the cartridge elevator mechanism for cleaning? Perhaps if it's dirty that's why I'm having to pull back so hard on the bolt to lift it up.
TheHomingByrd I actually only learned this very recently (thanks to a comment in my channel discussion section), but it's quite easy. Just unscrew the big screw on the left side of the receiver and the one in the rear of the trigger guard tang and the whole trigger group/elevator mechanism comes out, as illustrated about halfway down on this webpage: www.memoiredelagrandeguerre.com/groupe_article.php?sme=juin_2004&id=2 Even though it's all in French, the pictures do a good job of showing how it's done. I wouldn't take the whole trigger group/cartridge elevator thing apart any further, though.
@diplexnormal3353 My father brought it back home from Afghanistan. If I remember currently the safety on it doesn't move. It moved like a quarter inch but not much further than that. Honestly, I don't remember what I was wanting from this comment lol. I was 21 and dumb.
@@skateordie0100 what you have must’ve had a different rifle because the Lebel doesn’t usually have a safety, a sporterized one might be the only kind that I can imagine. I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just curious. But it’s ok if you goofed for being 21, everyone has done that and people still do. I’m still learning, and I’m 24. :)
Thanks, bro. The video saved my ass during the reassembly stage when I failed to install the bolt in the cocked position. Thanks. First time I've done the break down. Slide and action is much smoother. The works were filthy, probably first time cleaned in 18 years, based on what the collector from whom I bought it told me. Thanks again.
Aloha,
Loren
Good video love my lebel rifle! Explains the bolt very well here.
Thanks for the great video. Without this vid I would have never figured out how to take the bolt out of my lebel, thanks and keep up the videos.
Many thanks for this video. I finally scored a M1886 in sound condition along with a bayonet. This video was a huge help.
straightforward and clear, thanks
Having issues at the 4:09 minute mark putting the retaining piece back on. Any tips as I cannot seem to put it in place
I no longer own the rifle so I'm not sure I can give you an especially detailed answer, but you may need to push down harder on the bolt body to fully expose the rear end of the firing pin so you can better see what you're doing as you slide the retaining piece into the grooves at the end of the firing pin. I used that piece of scrap wood in the video because I don't mind punching deep holes in it with the tip of the firing pin as a result of pushing down hard. If the retaining piece physically won't fit onto the grooves at the rear of the firing pin, the parts may be damaged/misshapen somehow.
Great vid thank you. I just bought oThis 1886 level for $100 with all numbers matching. Only problem I have is trying to find ammo, front sight, and bayonet. Got any suggestions.
$100? That's a pretty great deal, nice find. I don't think I can help you with the front sight (you might try asking on a forum like Gunboards) but you can often find both the ammo and bayonets on Gunbroker (that's where I got my Lebel bayonet). You can also find modern newly-made ammo for it on Ammo-One.com but do note that it's very pricy there ($50 for a 20 round box).
emu4286 that's sick Jerry, what caliber?
Nice job!Could you please disassembly the bolt head?I don't understand how the bolt head works...
Sorry, but I don't have this rifle anymore... though I do think I
remember that the bolt head had a lug on a rotating collar that locked
into the bolt body, or something like that.
OK...Thanks anyway~
I bought mine on Gunbroker; they'll pop up there every once and a while. However, it should be noted that many sellers there won't ship outside the United States.
I have another video on this rifle regarding disassembly of the forearm and magazine. It might be worth checking to see if the magazine spring is intact if you plan on shooting it someday. Is there anything specifically wrong with your rifle?
Emu4286 Is it the same process for the Berthier Mle16? This bolt looks exactly the same as the one in my Mle16.
It should be very similar if not exactly the same... I think the only big difference between them is that the locking lugs on the Lebel bolt lock horizontally while the Berthier's lock vertically, which I don't think would have any effect on the disassembly process.
I'll have to try it when I get home. The head comes off exactly the same and it has the same straight groove of the bolt retention cap just like the lebel so I would think it would be the same
I have a question. When I shot my Lebel I was having problems with the cartridge elevator. Whenever I would pull the bolt back all the way to snap it up, it would make the cartridge fly completely out of the rifle. My Lebel is N marked for the Balle N ammunition. I was using 175 grain loads made by PCI. Could it be a problem with the action, or is the Lebel picky about ammo and needs a heavier/longer round to cycle properly?
Hello, apologies for the delayed response. As a matter of a fact I have some original Balle N ammo and found that using it, I could not reproduce your problem in my rifle. In fact, I found it difficult to even pick the cartridge out of the elevator by hand. I suspect your issue is indeed with bullets that are too light and short. The lightest bullet the Lebel was originally intended to use, the Balle D, is around 200 grains. Perhaps pulling the bolt back somewhat more gently would have an effect?
I will try. What is the best way to access the cartridge elevator mechanism for cleaning? Perhaps if it's dirty that's why I'm having to pull back so hard on the bolt to lift it up.
TheHomingByrd
I actually only learned this very recently (thanks to a comment in my channel discussion section), but it's quite easy. Just unscrew the big screw on the left side of the receiver and the one in the rear of the trigger guard tang and the whole trigger group/elevator mechanism comes out, as illustrated about halfway down on this webpage: www.memoiredelagrandeguerre.com/groupe_article.php?sme=juin_2004&id=2
Even though it's all in French, the pictures do a good job of showing how it's done. I wouldn't take the whole trigger group/cartridge elevator thing apart any further, though.
emu4286 Merci!
I want one but cant find one!!!!
I got one in Afghanistan a few years back. Wanting to fix/restore it. Any tips or suggestions?
What exactly is wrong with it?
(It’s probably fruitless, I’m late as hell)
@diplexnormal3353 My father brought it back home from Afghanistan. If I remember currently the safety on it doesn't move. It moved like a quarter inch but not much further than that. Honestly, I don't remember what I was wanting from this comment lol. I was 21 and dumb.
@@skateordie0100 what you have must’ve had a different rifle because the Lebel doesn’t usually have a safety, a sporterized one might be the only kind that I can imagine. I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just curious. But it’s ok if you goofed for being 21, everyone has done that and people still do. I’m still learning, and I’m 24. :)
@diplexnormal3353 it's definitely a label. I assume it was a safety at the time. Idk what it is sense it doesn't move
@@skateordie0100 I personally don’t know. As long as it shoots ok, I’d say that you have a great rifle. Where is the switch at?
I just need this for modelling 3d
So very much thanks