What is this Rifle? ...1941

[dblmed]

Thanks Guys.... I have this photo of TeNo troops (photo is marked on the reverse as Zitadelle, 1941) armed with a type of rifle with which I am not familiar.

The slanted magazine looks familiar, but I don't know.

What Maker / Model are these rifles?

Many Thanks.... Dave/dblmed

[dblmed]

Larger Photo... Txs

Larger Photo... Txs

[Bill Grist]

French M-16 Carbine

French Model 1916 Carbine in 8mm Lebel Cal...

[Bill Grist]

2

[Bill Grist]

3

[dblmed]

Thanks Bill!

Thanks Bill!

Great photos of the actual rifle as well. Thanks.

It makes sense as these TeNo troops were in France or Belgium at the time of the photo, getting kitted out for Zitadelle. So, left over French rifles would have been in abundance, I imagine.

The photos that I've seen of TeNo troops with rifles generally seem to be with '2nd line' rifles, best suited for their purpose as non intended combat troops. (But, later on in Russia, with partisans, etc., the Front line seemed to be where ever the actions took place.)

Thanks for solving the mystery! Best, .... Dave/dblmed

[dblmed]

1940 TeNo Troops w Rifles

1940 TeNo Troops w Rifles ? Type

This photo is dated 1940 and also shows TeNo troops with some type of '2nd Issue' rifle. Unfortunately, can't see the rifle details as well as the prior 1941 photo.

Is this the same French M-1916 Lebel, or another rifle type? Txs, Dave/dblmed

[dblmed]

Magazine well.

Looking at the Magazine Well, it does seem to have the peculiar slant and outline of the previously ID'd M-1916 Lebel, so perhaps that is what these are also.

If so, the German secondary troops got outfitted with captured weapons mighty fast! Txs, Dave/dblmed

[Gary Cain]

It's the same type rifle. You can tell by the bolt handle. Very characteristic.

Nice example Bill!!

Gary

[dblmed]

Thanks Guys!

Thank You, BILL and Gary!

Greatly appreciate your kind assistance in ID'ing the Rifles. Txs, Dave/dblmed

[MauserKar98k]

Thanks for showing these photos! I have one of these myself and I have never seen a pic of them in German hands.