I generally do not spend a great deal of time at Gunbroker, stopping in once a week or so, as time is my enemy. However, with that said I did come across a
FRENCH MLE 1917 SEMI AUTO RIFLE 8MM LEBEL
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=558327170&trk_msg=BKIS0BOUB8VKLDPRMTGHQFBKI8&trk_contact=2BLJ1JOAB0FJ6MUOEMC38IJ37G&trk_module=sca&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Product&utm_campaign=Bid+Abandonment&utm_content=Bid+Abandonment2b
rifle. Not having one in my reference collection I am always on the look out for the 1917 or 1918 French semi-automatic rifle.
This is the write up of the weapon on the auction site.
RARE FRENCH MLE 1917 SEMI AUTO RIFLE. SHOOTS 8MM LEBEL. BEFORE THE FRENCH GOVERMENT WOULD SELL THEM . THEY TOOK OFF THE SEMI AUTO PARTS AND LEFT THEM AS SINGLE SHOT RIFLES. PARTS MAY BE FOUND OR MADE.
Here are the pictures posted of the rifle.
This would be an interesting rifle to own because this is what the French government did to them.
I have a couple of line drawings of the parts in a 1917 rifle
This picture shows all the views of the rifle
I found this close up of the magazine housing on the internet
Best of luck getting this rifle. It would be an interesting addition to a collection.
http://armesfrancaises.free.fr/FSA%201917.html
http://armesfrancaises.free.fr/les%20fusils%20semi-automatique.html
Thanks for the links. Nice pictures.
I remember Martin B Retting selling M1917 rifles converted to straight pull bolt action repeating operation. It is my understanding that this was done because the M1917s weren’t all that sound as semi autos, but could be used as bolt action by colonial troops. These rifles were full military configuration. I suspect that the one illustrated met with bubba. The M1918 was a more functional semi.
I would like to have either or both of them. It just has not happen yet. Not much interest in it yet. I hate playing guess a bid at the auction.
The French converted them to straight pull when still in French service. That one has been rather clumsily sporterized. It’s been on GB on and off for a while (months?) There’s really not a lot of demand for parts guns, which is what this, sadly, is at this point.