Terrible 2-Gun: Lebel, 1892 Revolver, and a WW1 Gas Mask

Published on January 16, 2021
Duration: 9:32

This video details a challenging two-gun match featuring reproduction WWI French gear, including an M2 gas mask and Adrian helmet, alongside a Lebel rifle and Mle 1892 revolver. The experiment highlights significant practical difficulties, such as severe lens fogging from the gas mask hindering visibility and helmet straps interfering with proper rifle sight acquisition. These issues severely impacted shooter performance, demonstrating the limitations of historical gear in a modern competitive context.

Quick Summary

A WWI gear shooting challenge used a Lebel rifle and Mle 1892 revolver, but severe lens fogging from the gas mask and interference from helmet straps made accurate shooting extremely difficult, demonstrating practical limitations of historical equipment.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: WWI Gear & Challenge Setup
  2. 00:55Mle 1892 Revolver Stage: Visibility Issues
  3. 04:28Lebel Rifle Stage: Gear Interference & Abandonment
  4. 05:08Lebel Performance & Sights (No Mask)
  5. 07:45Tube Magazine Reloading Limitations

Frequently Asked Questions

What historical firearms were used in the WWI gear shooting challenge?

The challenge featured a Lebel rifle and an Mle 1892 revolver. Both are historical French military firearms from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, used extensively during World War I.

What were the main challenges faced when using WWI gear for shooting?

The primary challenges were severe lens fogging on the gas mask due to cold air, which drastically reduced visibility, and helmet straps interfering with proper rifle sight acquisition and earplug use.

How did the gas mask and helmet affect shooting performance?

The gas mask's fogging made aiming nearly impossible, while the helmet straps pulled out earplugs and obstructed the sight picture. These issues led to the abandonment of at least one stage of the competition.

What are the disadvantages of tube-fed rifles like the Lebel in competition?

Tube-fed rifles are slow to reload during a competition. Loading individual rounds into the tube takes significant time, making them less efficient than box-fed rifles for rapid fire or extended courses of fire.

Related News

All News →

More Range & Competition Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →