Deactivated First World War French Mle M16 Berthier carbine

Image Gallery:

Product Information

This is a First World War French Mle M16 Berthier carbine. The receiver was made by Ets Continsouza, a private company supplying parts for French war effort . The initials MAC are those of Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Chtellerault who completed the final assembly in 1918. The Mle carbine was issued and used throughout the Great War, being used by front line troops. Its size and weight made it ideally suited for trench warfare. 1916 saw the magazine capacity upgraded to five-round charger-loading from three after concerns were raised by troops during trench raiding parties. The three shot capacity put French soldiers at disadvantage when fighting against Germans armed with 5-shot Mauser Gew98 & KAR98s. Note the armorers repairs to the stock, a sure sign of active service. They saw action again during WWII with French ground forces and in the hands of partisans. German forces captured plenty MLE's and issued them among their own troops. Deactivated with a working action it can be cocked, stripped and dry fired.

To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.

Product Code: 18B52

OUT OF STOCK