Info on Berthier MLE 1916

[okiebuckout]

My friend has a rifle that was given to him by his grandfather. I have looked it up and it seems to be a Berthier MLE 8MM. The only difference is, it is carbine length and not a full length rifle. Does anyone know much about these, like numbers made or how long they were used? I am trying to find out as much about this rifle as I can for my friend. Thanks for the help.

Oh, also instead of a straight bolt, it is bend 90 degrees downward.

 

[Vaarok]

You've got a Berthier 07/16 Carbine, probably. The Remington ones are utter trash, but the French made rifles are quite good, for all that they're unpopular.

The unfortunate thing is, during WW1 Berthiers and the carbines especially were rebuilt so many times there's not really a lot to tell about them. You'll see all manner of parts swaps and there's very little you could call "correct" for them.

That said, they're great little rifles, which served American and French troops very well in WW1 and most continued to serve France in WW2 and Indochina.

The only real important thing to tell you is that if your rifle does not have a large cursive N on the top of the receiver, it is not safe to fire unless you handload. Following WW1, the French changed their service ammunition slightly and correspondingly modified the chambers of their rifles. If your rifle does not have the modified throat, it will develop dangerously high pressure firing Balle N ammo.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_2_52/ai_n15978733

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/frenchrifles/index.asp

 

[okiebuckout]

Thanks so much for the info Vaarok. My friend will be happy to get some background on this rifle. Its been bugging him for a while now not knowing anything about it. Do you happen to know about how many where made? I am assuming it was some high numbers since it was a main battle rifle.

Blue Skies,

 

[Jim K]

Some of those rifles were modified in 1934 to use the new 7.5mm cartridge loaded by stripper clip as opposed to the old 3 and 5 round en-bloc clips.

Assuming yours is the older type, good luck in finding clips.

Jim

 

[TEDDY]

bertier 07/15

type "bertier rifle or carbine.I have a turkish carbine.they are all french.does this have mag below wood if so its 5 shot and gunparts and sarco have clips.
also the 5 shot trigger guard inter changes with 3 shot.is it marked OMAN on bridge.if it does its the turk.I shoot mine with mg rds.but its better to use new
made GRAF has new made brass $35 per 100.

 

[okiebuckout]

It is the 5 shot. I don't have the rifle its a good friend of mine. I should see him some time over the week, so I will try to have him bring the rifle so I can check these things. Unfortunately, the rifle is pitted up pretty good. It is missing the 'retaining ring' for the upper hand guard. Do any of yall have experience reconditioning rifles that have been neglected over the years?