Hi Buckstix,
here is a picture from the 1910 Manufrance catalog, showing a sporterized Lebel rifle for "African" usage.
The legend says
" Special Model for hunting elephants, predators and long distance hunting"
Oh boy!
Anyways, the "normal issue ammunition" is 15 gram (232 grains) projectile with a muzzle energy of 630 m/s (2100 fps).
Propellants are 2.75 grams of either "J" powder or "BN3F".
Manufrance showed the same load all the way to my 1939 catalog.
I found the same velocity number earlier in a bunch of French references looking for "8mm Lebel balle M".
Now, not *all* the catalogs are correct...
As for your sights, it sure seems that something is off, but can be fixed.
I am having some questions about who was manufacturing these weapons, due to the 5 digit number on the bottom rib.
More to come.
WC-
