My Second Purchase - Fusil Mle Berthier 1907/15

GoodDoomguy

GoodDoomguy

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My second purchase on CGN, the WWI French rifle, Fusil Mle Berthier 1907/15! This thing is a beauty, and I've always wanted one after reading and learning about the Battle of Verdun. This beautiful rifle feels nice to hold, and a bit on the heavy side, but I love her!

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpslpy9pxai.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=0

Made in 1915, right around the time of Verdun!

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zps97ogucds.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=3

I also bought the Lebel M1886 bayonet for her too. I've always wanted to shout: "Baionnette au canon!!"

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zps4wmfzxzd.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=4

Matching serial numbers:

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpshf24liou.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpsktfvnjaw.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=2

Pictures of the rifle and bayonet, love it! Oh yeah it came with authentic leather sling.

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zps2fkwlzg0.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpsfihj8lic.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=6
 
GoodDoomguy said:
My second purchase on CGN, the WWI French rifle, Fusil Mle Berthier 1907/15! This thing is a beauty, and I've always wanted one after reading and learning about the Battle of Verdun. This beautiful rifle feels nice to hold, and a bit on the heavy side, but I love her!

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpslpy9pxai.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=0

Made in 1915, right around the time of Verdun!

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zps97ogucds.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=3

I also bought the Lebel M1886 bayonet for her too. I've always wanted to shout: "Baionnette au canon!!"

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zps4wmfzxzd.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=4

Matching serial numbers:

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpshf24liou.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=1
http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpsktfvnjaw.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=2

Pictures of the rifle and bayonet, love it! Oh yeah it came with authentic leather sling.

http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zps2fkwlzg0.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s1083.photobucket.com/user/GoodDoomguy/media/image_zpsfihj8lic.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=6
Click to expand...

Nice! You really have the right attitude to be a collector of Milsurps and Antiques. I notice that your K98 is demonstrating an invasive tendency.
:wave:
 
Robert Nicholson - Thank you, I just love milsurps and antiques! I'm looking for a rifle musket these days for my next month's purchase (wife says one small arms a month) so will keep you posted good sir! And LOL, yes my Berthier does feel a little nervous and threatened by the presence of my Kar98k. Once I even heard it whispering "On ne passe pas!" Hope they'll get along fine, I'll keep an eye on the Kar98k.

Still alive - Thank you! Yes the rifle is really long too as heavy, and the bayonet actually is a little rusted at some parts, photo taken by my iPhone 5 thus the not HD pics. Weapons sure progress at lightening speed, I will shoot it when the snow thaws or when it gets less rainy, will keep you informed sir! Would love to have a nice range to fire off a few shots, and I've already made a deal with a fellow member here that I'll visit his superb range when Spring comes :) Cheers!


Robert Nicholson said:
Nice! You really have the right attitude to be a collector of Milsurps and Antiques. I notice that your K98 is demonstrating an invasive tendency.
:wave:
Click to expand...

Still alive said:
Congratulations GDG!
Rifle does look heavy and unweldy doesn't it? The bayonet looks almost new.
It's amazing how fast weapons development has progressed in less than 100 years.
Good on you to keep the past alive.
Will you try and shoot it?
Click to expand...
 
Absolutely beautiful, I personally haven't seen one dated before 1916 in person. Just a side point when you put your pictures up if you click the IMG link instead of the direct one, it will actually show the photo in the post.

I really like the bayonet with it, mine is getting kinda lonely without one (actually several of my rifles are, might have to stop getting rifles for a while to catch up). Excellent second choice for collecting, wish I had made a decision that good when I started out.
 
RangeRover said:
Congratulations. Great start to your collection, and glad to see yet another fan of French arms here on CGN.
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Eaglelord17 said:
Absolutely beautiful, I personally haven't seen one dated before 1916 in person. Just a side point when you put your pictures up if you click the IMG link instead of the direct one, it will actually show the photo in the post.

I really like the bayonet with it, mine is getting kinda lonely without one (actually several of my rifles are, might have to stop getting rifles for a while to catch up). Excellent second choice for collecting, wish I had made a decision that good when I started out.
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RangeRover - Thank you sir! I'm a big fan of the French during WWI (even though I didn't read much about them in WWII, I know they fought well then too). I'm currently reading this book now before going to sleep:




Eaglelord17 - Thank you for the info on posting pics, duly noted! I've never imagined I would find one made in 1915 too! You must have a great milsurp collection, looking forward hearing about them! I'm not actually keen on getting bayonets for my rifles, although I will for my future WWI rifles collection; bayonet charge on no man's land is a must!
 
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GoodDoomguy said:
Eaglelord17 - Thank you for the info on posting pics, duly noted! I've never imagined I would find one made in 1915 too! You must have a great milsurp collection, looking forward hearing about them! I'm not actually keen on getting bayonets for my rifles, although I will for my future WWI rifles collection; bayonet charge on no man's land is a must!
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My collection is ok. I am very happy with it, though it has shrunk slowly over the past year or so, I have been deciding exactly what I want to collect now, and have been planning and saving instead of randomly buying. Basically my collection has three parts to it now, Soviet firearms, Swiss firearms, and WWI firearms.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1164087-My-Soviet-collection
This is a link to my Soviet side of the collection, however it hasn't been updated in a bit (might have to do that sometime soon), with two of those firearms being replaced and having a addition. I will also be doing one on my Swiss collection soon once my 1889 gets in. I want to give my WWI collection a bit more time before I show it off simply because it isn't quite ready for that yet.
 
Great to see another person starting to collect for the right reasons!!! Hstorical significance is why I collect so I may be a biased as to why people should collect these great old war horses.

My first rifle was a 1916 Lee Enfield that I got from a guy at work. I started reading about the great war and that lit the fire in me that continues today!!

I'm super jealous as a berthier is one of the last rifles I need for my great war bolt action collection. Hope to get one as nice as yours one day!! Good score!!
 
GoodDoomguy said:
RangeRover - Thank you sir! I'm a big fan of the French during WWI (even though I didn't read much about them in WWII, I know they fought well then too). I'm currently reading this book now before going to sleep:
Click to expand...

I can make another recommendation of a good book to read if you want to hear about being in the French Army in the Great War. "Poilu", a memoir written by a soldier in the ranks. Review below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/21/books/poilu-a-french-memoir-about-serving-on-the-western-front.html

Best of luck in your collecting.
 
Nice find indeed! Not a common rifle in these parts. Makes you wonder about the poor soul that it was initially issued to. Enjoy!
 
Eaglelord17 - Can't wait to see all your collections! The Soviet arms you have is superb!

Tinman204 - Thank you sir! It is indeed my interest in World War history that made me started collecting. I too think I'm quite lucky to find the Berthier; it's on the top of my WWI dream rifles! Hope you acquire one in the future too, cheers!

RangeRover - I had the story you posted bookmarked, will get into it ASAP, thank you kind sir! The Poilus are really brave and courageous men!

kjohn - Yes I wonder myself the same question all the time too!
 
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