French WWI Lebel Rifle Periscope

A rare and highly unusual accessory designed for the French Lebel rifle during the First World War. Unlike the more common upward-facing trench periscopes, this ingenious variant mounts horizontally to the right side of the rifle stock, allowing the shooter to observe and aim from behind cover—providing critical protection in the confined and dangerous environment of trench warfare.

The periscope is finished in a dark shade of French horizon blue and retains its original sprung-loaded belt clip, though the spring mechanism shows rusting from age. The main body remains in excellent condition, with nearly all of the original paint intact. Both lenses are present, with only a minor chip to one—typical for an original field-used piece of this kind.

A seldom-seen and clever piece of WWI trench ingenuity, this periscope is a must-have for collectors of early 20th-century military optics or Great War-era French equipment.

Ref; 93751