French military rifle

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airedaleguns1

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Any French military rifle collectors out there? It is a 8mm Mannlicher Berthier/Lebel bolt asction with a 22 inch barrel. It has a cutout below the mag well like a Carcano ( sort ). It has St.Etienne MLE 1907 15 stamped on the left side of the receiver and N I C ORMAN 1948 stamped on the top of the receiver. Ser.#2072 left side. Mismatched parts numbers. A friend wants to sell it and wants to know it's worth. I would say it is in average shape. Thanks, Alex.
 
You have described a "Turkish Forestry Carbine". Few change hands - last one I saw advertized was at P&S a year or so ago for about $125.
 
Yes the MAS 36 and 49/56 rifles were rebuilt in the 70's and put into storage. Unfortunately, following UN Guidelines France has been destroying their obsolete weapons in the last few years rather than selling them on the surplus market. So buy them while you can, because we won't be getting anymore.
 
They tend to look weird, but good materials and often excellent workmanship went into them. The French took a million or so killed in the Great War..... somebody should have added their General Staff for providing the poor troopies with a 3-shot rifle that could only be carried safely with 2 rounds in it.... and then expecting it to stand up to Maxims.

I have a couple of full-length 07/15 rifles, finally got the dies, now making up some brass..... just need about 5 of those silly 3-shot Mannlicher clips and I'll be a happy puppy. Want to test these against SMLE, P-'14, Ross and Mausers.
 
Turkish Forestry Carbine. I have the basic rifles and carbines from the Chassepot to the MAS36 and I can tell you that a large number of Berthiers have really seen a lot of use and rebuilding. Mine shoot very well but some models are getting more expensive for collectors. My favorite to shoot is the 1874 Gras but the Chassepot is a lot of fun to shoot as well-its the very thorough cleaning of the bolt that makes you appreciate brass cartridge guns. Joe
 
JP said:
Yes the MAS 36 and 49/56 rifles were rebuilt in the 70's and put into storage. Unfortunately, following UN Guidelines France has been destroying their obsolete weapons in the last few years rather than selling them on the surplus market. So buy them while you can, because we won't be getting anymore.
Click to expand...


At least not until someone convinces the Germans to invade again :rolleyes: .
 
I have a MAS 36, nice handling gun. I'd like to get a new rear sight aperature for it as it shoots 18" to the left at 25 yards. Yes about 5' to the left at 100 yards. Hell maybe I'll bring it to the next Milsurp shoot. If you see me with it, get in my shooting line and make sure your a couple positions to my left. Your likely to get some extra points.
 
X2 about the French bashing. We get the wrong impression about the French in WWII because Charles de Gaulle ran away to Britain when his country was still fighting. But, meanwhile the French resistance was very strong. I hate Charles de Gaulle to this day when we (Canada) were a major force to help liberate "his" country from the Nazis. And then he had the nerve to come to Canada and say those infamous words. Bastard!
Historically the French have been very valiant soldiers, especially the French-Canadians (Francophones) in the service of Canada!
WTF is wrong with all of you Francophone bashers? No wonder they have had separation (sovereignty) on their agenda for so many years.
Vive Canada avec Quebec.
 
The Gauls sacked Rome in 300 BC ;)
SKS canuck, what is wrong with the site, is it bent or something? Guess youll have to give it back to me:D
 
Yup lets not bash the French, imagine something like 6 out of every 10 guys you knew where butchered in WW1, and then the same in WW2, and the fact that all the while it was on your own home soil. :(

BTW: I find these rifles to be solid and heavy.
How well do they shoot?
 
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