[prusch]

I inherited a couple of rifles and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about them-
The first is a Springfield Armory Model 1903
six Digit ser. # starting with 24----

The second is I believe is French
It says Manufacture D Arms and below says Culle
Also says MLE 1886 M93 on the same side-

I'm not sure about ser #
Thanks for any help you can give me

 

[S.Sumner]

Hang on to Em'

03 Springfield-Should be a 30-06 caliber if it is original.
could be a 30-03 (30-06 PARENT CARTRIDGE But a bit shorter)
but have them both inspected by a competent gunsmith.
Collectors love these, so the price is staying relatively high.
The 03 has a reputation for being a little fragile for a combat weapon
but this is unfounded. They are great and accurate rifles.
As far as I know, the U.S. military used them in the sniper role
in WWI, WWII, Korea and Viet-Nam.
Hollywood started the misconception that this is the rifle that
was used by SGT. York in WWI to win his Medal of Honor,
but it wasn't, He used a model 1917 Enfield. (And a Colt
model 1911 pistol, not a Luger like in the movie)

The second sounds like a French "La-Belle" or Berthier.
I think the cartridge there is the 8mm La-belle. This is the rifle
that made the European Military planners swap from big bores
to small bores, as it was the first military cartridge to utilize
smokeless powder. (high velocity) They are not that collectible
Value wise, but if it is in good condition it would be a fun shooter.
Ammo is "Costly" Though when you can find it.

 

[D MAN]

On the French Rifle you can go to "Jean's Military Surplus Guns Page" go to bolt action, then down the list he has pictures and information on most of the military guns. This one is a tough one I'm sure S.Sumner is close to what it is but seeing a picture will help you more. The french rifles are collectable to some the Berthiers, Chassepots and Lebels are around $150 to $250 price range I do have one by accident it can with a package purchase I was going to pass it on but the rifle just grew on me.
BigBill

 

[prusch]

Jean's website had it-
It looks like the Lebel 1886/93
I can't imagine anyone carrying this for too long-
The only thing that I couldn.t see on the picture is the word Culle under manufactured by
The Cullee is in a fancy script not matching anything else-
Any body know French?-
Thanks for the help-