A shop over in France has a Fusil Automatique Modèle 1917 in stock and for sale. I've been going down some deep rabbit holes in the quest to bring my Bertheir M16 carbine back to order which has involved more high school French than I ever thought I'd ever use. The good thing is, I'm going over next summer to France and Germany, so I have a feeling I'll be taking side-trips to the stores I've looked at for parts online to see what they have in stock in person. It's amazing what is available straight from the country of origin if you know how to look for it. I currently have several parts that are basically unobtanium here in the US coming for rather reasonable prices from sellers in France, Denmark, and the UK.
Anyway, for those not in the know, this is the first self-loading rifle to see any real combat use. They heavily influenced both the trigger group and gas system in the M1 Garand. They're pretty neat:
Anyway, for those not in the know, this is the first self-loading rifle to see any real combat use. They heavily influenced both the trigger group and gas system in the M1 Garand. They're pretty neat: