Deactivted WW1 French Berthier Cavalry carbine Mle 1890

This is a rare matching numbers French Berthier Cavalry carbine Mle 1890 that was manufactured by Manufacture d'armes de St Etienne (MAS) in 1892. Very few of these cavalry carbine were made, in total around 160,000 with the majority produced in 1891 and 1892 and by only two makers; St Etienne and Chatellerault. Originally these carbines were fitted with a sling swivel hoop attachments on the under side of the stock and barrel band but this was soon found to be uncomfortable whilst on horse back and in 1894 the French started retro fitting them into this configuration as can be seen on this example. St Etienne guns only used letter prefixes F & G. This gun being number 5795th from the G batch. Very few of these carbines now survive, the vast majority were later converted into Model 1892 and model 1916 carbines for WWI. Note the wear marks in the stock caused from service use. Although designed for cavalry these carbines were well suited for use in the close confines of trench warfare. Deactivated with a working action. 

This particular example comes with provenance having been owned and used by the world famous Bapty who specialise in supplying weaponry to the film, TV and drama industries.