The historical record shows that the Lebel rifle was the result of teamwork carried out against time and under great pressure exerted from above by War Minister General Boulanger. The original bullet or "Balle M" designed under Colonel Lebel's direction was flat nosed in order to pose no risk of accidental ignition in the Lebel's tube magazine. The "Balle M" bullet has a full metal jacket made of cupro-nickel and a lead core. Its weight is . Its muzzle velocity is . Its maximum range is . It was propelled by of the new smokeless "poudre B". Its ballistic properties were superior to anything else in existence at the time (1887). Lebel was promoted to the rank of full colonel in 1887 but, because of cardiac problems, he took early retirement in 1890 and died on 6 May 1891 at the age of 53. He was decorated with the rank of Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor. References Claude Lombard, 1987, La Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Châtellerault (1819–1968), 398 pages, Brissaud, 162 Grand'rue, Poitiers, France. . French Wikipedia (unsourced article) 1838 births 1891 deaths People from Saint-Mihiel Firearm designers French Army officers French military personnel of the Franco-Prussian War Commandeurs of the Légion d'honneur