This is an excellent as issued example of the rare French Model 1917 semi automatic rifle in 8X50 Lebel cartridge as manufactured by the French National Arsenal. These rifles are very unique and way ahead of their time, when developed in the 1916-1918 period as most of the countries in the free world were just trying to equip their armies with a standard bolt action rifle. Here the French developed a very advanced semi-automatic rifle, which used a rather unique "Rotating Bolt" system with three front locking lugs; similar to those later used on the Canadian Ross straight pull rifles. Additionally these rifles used an innovative gas operated, semi-automatic mechanism to function the rifle. This system used a direct gas impingement system with a gas port located on the underside of the barrel to cycle the action. The rifle design itself was not very robust with most rifles later converted to a straight pull single shot rifle, that were later issued or given to Colonial troops, with this rifle remaining in its original configuration. This late production rifle is marked only on the sides of the barrel with the right side having "MA T.1917" and the left side is marked "LP" and circled "J" proofs. It has all original matching serial numbers (F6555) on the left side of the barrel, cocking bar, underside of the forend, left side of the buttstock, and on the underside of the receiver cover, just ahead of the trigger guard. This rifle has not been converted and still has the gas port or cylinder mounted to the bottom of the barrel and it still has a "Brass Gas Plug" installed. It has the original tangent rear sight, straight grip stock and upper hand guard. The right side of the buttstock does not have the typical "MA" circle cartouche, which may also indicate a very late production rifle.

Excellent with a solid 97% plus original blue finish overall with only the trigger guard and rear tang having browned out. The stock, forend and hand guard are all in excellent condition with only a couple very minor handling marks. Even the screw heads are in excellent condition. This is the finest example of a French 1917 semi-automatic rifle we have ever offered at auction.