Well, I don't really know how "exotic" a Lebel is, but it was the first time I'd ever seen one fired! Pony Express brought his Lebel to our local match here in Missouri, using it for one stage. I suspect its the first time in a very long time, certainly in this century, that a Lebel has been used in any kind of compition on this continent.
Interesting. Found out that if the OAL is not quite long enough, the lifter on the rifle will throw the next round clean out of the action if the bolt is racked hard!
But a great old piece nontheless. Great to see it on the line. And with a little more load development . . . did you know its suprisingly easy to put together an late 19th century French Foriegn Legion uniform?