French Model Berthier 1907-15/34 find

[72 usmc]

I ran into an estate collection offered at a local show. Most firearms were purchased between 1950-1970 and a member passed on and the collection of goodies came out of the wood work. I picked up this odd Berthier Infantry Carbine that is chambered for 7.5 MAS not the 8mm Lebel cartridge. A small piece of paper in th chamber indicated this was a bring back from WW II. It has no papers, the carbine is all original, matching, excellent bore, and has the original sling with stampings. There were no import markings on any of the rifles on the table, all in nice original condition. My specimen has no import marks. At $300, I had to grab it. It will take some time to post some pictures . First, I am providing some links to information about this odd model of French carbine. I figure old lady luck finally slapped me in the face. The only time I was more lucky is when I came out of a stroke with no real after effects last year in 4 days after the doctors told my wife I would be in a home.


The Infantry Carbine is rebarreled with a new stepped 7.5mm barrel, it's in excellent condition. It has a floor plate and an internal box, Mauser style, magazine with a follower & spring. The bolt head is new -it's been redesigned for a different size cartridge and has a different extractor system. The bolt is straight. It has a redone stock and a cut out to push the cartridges into the magazine on the left side. The rear sight is switched out and goes from 200-900meters. The barrel has a different front sight. It is tall and thin. There is no IMPORT mark on this rifle. The sling still has its original stampings.
Some of the links provide better overall views of the entire rifle, I have more close up views to post. Spell checker messed with the spelling of Berthier & changed it to Breathier



History and information of this model 1907-15/34
http://armesfrancaises.free.fr/FR%20Mle ... 20M34.html

A video of a demilled Carbine Model 1907-15/34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGcAU0uDt_0

Pictures of a rifle Gunboards link
model 1907-15/34, https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread ... 907-15-M34
Just in case the pictures are gone again, here are photo screen shots of Samnev2 's infantry carbine (his photos) fixed as a record:

serial number information:
https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread ... t-question

[72 usmc]

Photos of my rifle:

[72 usmc]

Photos of bolt and magazine:

[72 usmc]

Photos of the receiver markings:

[72 usmc]

Photos of the barrel:

[72 usmc]

Photos of other:

[72 usmc]

Photos of the original sling WW II:

[indy1919a4]

That is gorgeous, I like the Berthier in 7.5 caliber. What a wonderful transition piece..

Love the Lebel R35 for the same reason..

Another nice little web site also..

http://www.virdea.net/french/berthier.html

At an auction about 3 years back I saw a Berthier 7.5 that was demilled (welded the whole 9 yards) and it still fetched in the 400 dollar range.
Man what sick puppy would demill a bolt action rifle like that in America...

[PennsylvaniaRifleman]

That's really cool!

[vandle]

Wow, nice find.

I would imagine there would not be too many around.

Interesting conversion, the bottom magazine plate looks
more functional than the original design.

[72 usmc]

Here is one of the better references on Berthiers ( many thanks to 1886 lebel for this great information):
https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread ... formation-*

Approximately 50 are reported so this makes 51. I hope the above author sees this and adds serial number F 3179X. Maybe 1886lebel still reads this forum?

It is a MAS 1937 Berthier Infantry Carbine in 7.5 x 54 Mas.

[kelt]

The French designation of the Berthier Mle 07-15 M 34 was fusil d'infanterie.

According to the serial numbers, around 65.000 were made.

A small quantity was also made for the Cavalry with the same barrel length, a bent bolt handle and a rear side sling attachement located on the left side for back carry.

[indy1919a4]

So its been a day have you shot it yet??

It is amazing all the conversions that the Berthier was put through in its life.

Fun little training film, love the dancing clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwFQH1NmtqA

[72 usmc]

Here is a review of the model 1934 conversion. This is the FORGOTTEN WEAPONS .com review and a great video.

https://www.full30.com/video/9fd05eeb33 ... 0319bb9180

[indy1919a4]

Many thanks for this, did not see this before.. Real nice.. Love all the French conversion and rifle changes in those late 1930s..

Hey is been almost a month.. have you shot it yet.?????.