Original Item: Only One Available. The Mannlicher-Berthier rifles and carbines were a family of bolt-action small arms in 8mm Lebel, used in the French Army from the 1890s to the beginning of World War II (1940). The Berthier design began as the "Mousquetons Berthier" - a series of bolt-action cavalry and artillery carbines with distinctly different actions from the Mle 1886/M93 8mm Lebel rifle. For instance, the Berthier carbine's bolt lugs lock vertically into the receiver instead of horizontally as in the Lebel rifle. Berthier carbines were first issued in 1890 and 1892, and had been designed by Emile Berthier, an engineer at the French Algerian Railways, to be used with standard 8mm Lebel ammunition.

The Berthier design was introduced as a replacement for the various aging Mle 1874 Gras single-shot carbines - still standard for French cavalry, artillery, and gendarme forces even after the introduction of the Mle 1886/M93 Lebel. Prior experiments with several carbine versions of the Lebel action proved unacceptably heavy and slow to load while on horseback. While retaining most of the action's strong points, the Berthier carbine improved on the earlier Mle 1886 rifle by using a one-piece stock and a Mannlicher-style, charger-loaded en bloc 3 shot clip. These Berthier carbines were progressively allocated to all cavalry, artillery and gendarmerie troops during the 1890s.

The first Berthier carbine came into production as the "Carabine de Cavalerie Modèle 1890", which was officially adopted for service on March 14, 1890. The main production facilities were the Manufacture d'Armes de St Etienne or MAS and the Manufacture d'Armes de Chatellerault or MAC. The search for a suitable small arm for mounted troops was given greater urgency by the Germans' development of the Karabiner Modell 1888, a carbine variant of the Gewehr 1888. It was issued to essentially all French artillery and cavalry troops. As the high Command appreciated the performance of the Mle 1890 Berthier carbine, a second version was specifically produced for artillery service, the "Mousqueton Mle 1892" which could mount a short blade bayonet and thus had a re-designed forend stock. However it continued to feature the 3-round En-bloc clip of the Model 1890 carbine. During the First World War it became obvious that the 3-round clip was a handicap compared to German short weapons such as the German Kar98AZ which had a 5-round clip.

The result of this was the M-16 version of the Berthier Carbine, which had a magazine that took 5 rounds instead of 3. As it was a single stack fed by an en bloc clip, the magazine protruded out noticeably from the bottom of the gun, and had hinged door to cover the bottom rear bottom to avoid damage and dirt getting in. Following the start of production, many Mle 1890 and Mle 1892 Carbines were updated to the M16 standard at arsenal.

This is a very interesting Modèle 1890 carbine, which was later upgraded at arsenal to the M16 standard, and was fitted with a stock from a Mle1892, and had other components replaced, as was common. At the time arms were in short supply, so many older guns were updated and pressed into service. The left side of the receiver on this example is clearly marked with St" Étienne, and to the right MLE 1890, indicating manufacture at the government arsenal at Saint-Étienne. The rifle has arsenal proofs on most parts, and is marked MA S 1892 on the right side of the barrel, the abbreviation for Manufacture d'Armes Saint-Étienne, indicating that it was produced in 1892, the third year of production. It is also marked with serial number F 16875 on the barrel and trigger guard, while the bolt is non-matching, and the stock is marked with F 63974.

The Modèle 1890 carbines were only manufactured until 1893, when enough have been made for just the cavalry, and production shifted entirely to the Mousqueton Modèle 1892. All receivers marked with the MLE1890 marking are pre-1899 manufacture and considered antique by Federal law.

The carbine is mostly complete, however the barrel band with the saddle ring on the left side is missing, though the band spring is still present. We can see that the cleaning rod channel has been filled on the left fore stock, but the nose band still has the slot for it. There is not a hand guard around the rear sight, but there is also not the ring that held the back in place, so we do not believe this example was set up to take the hand guard. Many Mle 1890 carbines were later upgraded to the Mle1892 during service, and this is most likely one of them, though since the stock was swapped out, the full history of the carbine is impossible to determine.

This Berthier Saddle Ring carbine is in good condition, showing wear from long service on the metalwork, with some possible refinishing at arsenal, and the stock is in good shape, also looking to have been reconditioned in the past. We can see some cracks and past repairs, particularly on the butt stock near the butt plate, which has several wood graft repairs on the left side. We also noticed that there is a name that looks like TOM HOARE Jr. scratched into the right side of the butt stock, so this may have been a U.S. WWI Bring back.

We checked the bore, and it is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some past oxidation and fouling evident, but nothing major, and it looks to have been well taken care of. The rifle does cycle well with a strong dry fire, though it can be a bit stiff and we have no way to check to see if the magazine feeds. The original ladder sight is still present, and fully functional.

A very interesting example of a hard to find carbine, converted for further use during WWI and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1892
Caliber: 8×50mmR Lebel
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 17 Inches
Overall Length: 37 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 5-round Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.