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8mm Lebel

smle2009

smle2009

Well-Known Member
Hi to all,
just wondering if anyone knows what this 8mm Lebel bullet is,it came from a bucket full of WW1 relic rounds that I broke up a few years ago,didn't take any notice of this one at the time as the cartridge neck broke off and stayed on the bullet:sad:.

Photo of bullet with 'run of the mill' ball on the right for scale

Looks like it has been blackened and has a very weak magnetic attraction.

Cheers
Tony

P6130011.jpgP6130013.jpg
 
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Tony, the armour piercing '8mm Cartouche a balle Perforante 1886P' had a chemically blackened bullet for identification. I haven't seen one pulled from the case so I can't confirm that from it's shape but that would be my guess. Having said that....you'd expect an AP bullet to be strongly magnetic.
I have a live Perforante 1886P so I could pull the bullet at a push to compare but it'll have to wait until my house move is completed and I can unpack my puller again.
Jim
 
The 1886P 8mm Lebel armour piercing bullet has the core inserted in a turned bronze bullet (similar to the ball) so that is why it only has a mild magnetic attraction, unlike a normal AP that only has a thin sheath and envelope. It is just well shielded.

I have a drawing somewhere that I will post if I can find it.

Regards
TonyE
 
Found it! That did not take long, it was actually filed where it was supposed to be.

Bear in mind that this is the Kynoch drawing for the tracer and AP as supplied to Roumania, but it is allegedly traced from the French military version.

Regards
TonyE
 

Attachments

  • 8mm Lebel BK46-10.jpg
    8mm Lebel BK46-10.jpg
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The short answer is that I don't know. I have never sen a Kynoch tracer or AP load in Lebel. As you probably know, the ball rounds are headstamped either "K * 8m/m *" or "K26 8m/m" (or similar date)

REgards
TonyE
 
hi,

This is a 8mm Lebel AP bullet like said by Jim and Tony, the model called " 3 gorges". This is found on "86Dam 1er type" cases from 2nd and 3rd quarters of 1915,. And with a normal French headstamp.

regards
Domi
 
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Tony, if it's any help the headstamp on my Mle.1886P is 'TE 1 D 40' but if you suspect your bullet to be of WW1 vintage I guess this isn't particularly helpful!
However I think it is fair to say that French headstamps in this calibre show no information as to their loading. This also applies to the colours of primer & casemouth seals which come in a wide range of colours but have no significance.
Basically, if you are looking for a case to put your AP bullet into then any French 8mm Lebel will suffice.
Jim
 
Thanks Jim,
I am fairly sure it is WW1 vintage,we did pick up some 1934 dated spent cases nearby but no live rounds of these,all WW1(and earlier,1908 was the earliest) were live rounds.

all the best
Tony
 
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