Berthier MLE 1907-15 Continsouza

tplumtree

tplumtree

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Hey French milsurp lovers, I was in a little old hunting and fishing store and came across this little carbine for sale. Don't know much about it but I'd thought I'd post some pics and see if anyone can share their knowledge. The carbine is all matching including the stock. Unfortunately, the stock has been butchered quite a bit. An interesting piece none the less.

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I believe you have an 1892 Berthier artillery carbine, dated 1917 at Continsouza. The receiver was made by Continsouza, I think a rather uncommon maker that was only commissioned during WW1 to make rifles and carbines. The barrel is dated 1917 and was made by "Manufacturer de Armee (MA) Continsouza (C)" in that year.

The "CC" and "circle C" and "circle J" are, I believe, inspector and/or proof markings for acceptance into military service. The serial number is just underneath and is "7097 g".

The rear sight is calibrated in meters and has a battle sight of 250m I think, when the sight is flipped all the way forward towards the front sight.

She has some beautiful wood that has some repair patches on it too. The French used these carbines up until the 1960s and they saw extensive use alongside other French arms through WW1, WW2, and even up to French fighting in Indochina in the 1950s. Talk about a service firearm!

Treat her well, she has been through alot.
 
Thanks for the information. I haven't actually purchased this carbine yet. I mostly collect Mausers and know next to nothing about French milsurps. I could pick it up for a couple of hundred bucks, but what would I feed it?
 
Nabs said:
I believe you have an 1892 Berthier artillery carbine, dated 1917 at Continsouza. The receiver was made by Continsouza, I think a rather uncommon maker that was only commissioned during WW1 to make rifles and carbines. The barrel is dated 1917 and was made by "Manufacturer de Armee (MA) Continsouza (C)" in that year.

The "CC" and "circle C" and "circle J" are, I believe, inspector and/or proof markings for acceptance into military service. The serial number is just underneath and is "7097 g".

The rear sight is calibrated in meters and has a battle sight of 250m I think, when the sight is flipped all the way forward towards the front sight.

She has some beautiful wood that has some repair patches on it too. The French used these carbines up until the 1960s and they saw extensive use alongside other French arms through WW1, WW2, and even up to French fighting in Indochina in the 1950s. Talk about a service firearm!

Treat her well, she has been through alot.
Click to expand...
The barrel was made by "manufacture d'arme Chatellerault" Continsouza was only making receiver i think.:)
Joce
 
As for ammo, she is likely still in 8x50r lebel. Given the rarity of surplus and conmercial ammo, you would have to handload for her.
 
I'd offer them $120 for it, just tell them you want it for an interesting wallhanger as it's impossible to find ammo for it, as well as it being a chopjob.
 
Shame too as bubba only shaved off a few inches of wood and a relatively lightly made nose cap...your not saving yourself any weight there.
 
So did you buy it ? Aside from the missing bits, it does look to be in nice shape. The stock on mine has gotta be 25% patches. Those things are super light to begin with, can't see why people cut 'em...
 
No I didn't buy it and think I'll pass on this one for now. If someone had an interesting trade offer (Mauser, Enfield etc) I'd be willing to pick it up. The problem is the stock, as others have said, it's a non starter trying to find one. If I was a Berthier collector it would be a different story.
 
The old gal has been worked over a bit but the wood is really attractive,deserves a home in someone's collection for sure.I bought what was advertised as a Turkish Forestry Carbine in 8mm Lebel quite awhile ago that had very nice wood in the stock similar to the one shown here.Bought it fairly cheaply and if I remember sold it even more cheaply,kinda wish I still had it as it really stood out from my other rifles.
 
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