This example started out as a Lebel Model 1886 rifle (Mle 1886).  It fires an 8mm Lebel cartridge. The Lebel rifle was manufactured by three French government arsenals: St-Etienne, Chatellerault and Tulle. In 1893, the Lebel rifle's bolt was improved and it was redesignated Mle 1886-M93. In 1935 surplus Lebel rifles were shortened to carbine size. The modified rifle was called the "Mle 1886-M93R35".

The Germans captured some of these rifles and issued them to their troops. On the underside of the stock of this example are 2 stamps: "eagle over "Kru1"". A few years ago this was thought to be a Kreigsmarine marking and may be. More recently the "Kru" is thought to be a code for the Krakow arsenal which was an arsenal that the Germans took over when Poland was invaded in 1939. This explanation seems a stretch because the rifles would have likely been captured in France and Krakow, Poland is a long way away. So, I am still puzzled by the marking. If anyone has documentation concerning the "Kru" marking, I would appreciate hearing about it.  CONTACT

At the bottom of this page is a picture showing the carbine being cleaned by German Kreigsmarine personnel. 

The bayonet in the first picture is an example of a M1886 rifle bayonet which was shortened. Also shown are 2 stripper clips holding the 8mm Lebel cartridges.