The French milsurp rifle #### thread!

And now there are two...these French rifles multiply almost as badly as Enfields do!

A St. Etienne Mle M16, all-matching (but bolt head) an apparently early one, produced in the earlier Mle 1907-15 3-round stock. Un-dated "N"-marked ManuFrance barrel. Some supposition that the rifle may have made its way into Belgian hands at some point.

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This one tempted me for two months at a local dealer, but despite what I view as a very reasonable asking price, no one else snapped her up, so I finally gave into the temptation.

Now I really must get a Lebel. Still kicking myself over not scooping a good one up at the last Easter show in Calgary.
:(
 
RangeRover said:
I guess I can now play in this thread, having just acquired my first French milsurp - a Berthier in 8x50R Lebel. Hope the cross-post from February purchases is okay.

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Based on input from others I gather this is a "Colonial" Berthier, or a "Fusil de Tirailleur Sénégalais Modèle 1907".

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A few armourers repairs to the stock but otherwise in great shape and complete. Can't wait to try it out at the range.

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Cool, I once owned that rifle, almost certain, as I put the silver in the lettering for pictures. All numbers matched but the bolthead. It is extremely rare, very few Fusil Des Tirraileurs Senegalais Mle. 1907 have survived intact. After lengthy research an expert in French arms figured it came from St. Pierre and Miquelon.
 
Its about time for some new material here. I got this from the estate of a deceased friend. Anything the experts can tell me is useful as I don't think it really has a place in my collection and I'll likely put it up in the EE. Berthier M1916, Bayonet, 2 three round clips, 10 rounds of the boxed Lebel, and another 3 in the clip with spitzer bullets.

Seems to be in pretty good condition compared to most French rifles that seemed to get a lot of hard use after the Great War. She's over 6 feet tall with the bayonet fixed!

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MauserMike said:
Its about time for some new material here. I got this from the estate of a deceased friend. Anything the experts can tell me is useful as I don't think it really has a place in my collection and I'll likely put it up in the EE. Berthier M1916, Bayonet, 2 three round clips, 10 rounds of the boxed Lebel, and another 3 in the clip with spitzer bullets.

Seems to be in pretty good condition compared to most French rifles that seemed to get a lot of hard use after the Great War. She's over 6 feet tall with the bayonet fixed!
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Hard to make out the roll stamp, looks like maybe Chatellerault. You don't have a picture of it head-on. It's a Mle 1907-15 infantry rifle. I like the B cartouche in the stock repair. Likely done at time of manufacture. depot repairs were not so marked. Nice rifle.
 
Claven2 said:
Hard to make out the roll stamp, looks like maybe Chatellerault. You don't have a picture of it head-on. It's a Mle 1907-15 infantry rifle. I like the B cartouche in the stock repair. Likely done at time of manufacture. depot repairs were not so marked. Nice rifle.
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Oops, I actually did take a photo of that, just didn't post. Here it is:

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Ok so I need some help... I bought a mas MLE 36/51, serial number is F with 5 digits, butt stock is the same F with 5 digits but different numbers, there's a box with C-66 on the left side below the chamber.

Any info would be awesome, thanks
 
I have a Mas 36 with the grenade launcher..
Whats surprising is that for being in such good shape...looks like it never went to war..but the stock is mismatched.
Sorry..cell ph pics only at this time. Im guessing this is a post war example?

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JimDO said:
I have a Mas 36 with the grenade launcher..
Whats surprising is that for being in such good shape...looks like it never went to war..but the stock is mismatched.
Sorry..cell ph pics only at this time. Im guessing this is a post war example?

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There's also a serial number on the inside of the bolt handle if you didn't know
 
The "Hank Snow" of Lebel rifles, I think

And then there were three.

I seem to have developed a soft spot for French rifles..and the more beat up, the better, it would appear.

Here's the most recent lost soul to find a home with me. A Mle.1886 M93 that has been around the block a few dozen times I think. (in that regard it fits right in to the rest of my accumulation of milsurps). I've been kicking myself for three years having let one, in nicer condition than this one, and at a lower price, leave my hands at a show here. This is not one of the "less than 100" really nice ones earlier in this thread.

I find myself humming Hank Snow's "I've Been Everywhere" when I hold the rifle.



Chatellerault receiver, on a 1915-dated Tulle barrel, N-marked. Matching serials on the barrel, buttstock and floor plate. No number on the fore-end at all, and I think the bolt should maybe be described as "force-matched"?? The bore, however, is in pretty fine shape for a rifle that, we can assume spent some time being used in anger in France a century ago. Half a dozen nicely done wood repairs in the stock. Wonder where it got to after France?



 
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This is a great thread. I find my reading and watching about WWI is from a Commonwealth perspective, but the French took an awful beating in that war as well. The bad reputation is unfortunate and largely may be drawn from the Second Battle of Ypres. I personally blame none of the Algerians for running away that day. I wouldn't have done any differently if I'd seen comrades vomiting up their intestines. That must've been absolutely terrifying in 1915. We can't imagine what it must be like to have four years of war fought almost entirely in your home country's soil. I'm of the opinion that France had nearly had enough after Verdun, but after the leadership change, they found their strength.
 
An MAS 1936/51 is to be auctioned in Creemore, Ontario this Saturday, 8 March 2014 if anyone is interested:

Lot # 304
http://www.phoenixauctionsandappraisals.com//Auctions/Mar 8 2014/Military Firearms Catalog.html

I see they also have some 7.5mmx54 French Military FMJ ammo here:
Lot # 905, 906
http://www.phoenixauctionsandappraisals.com//Auctions/Mar 8 2014/Ammunition Catalog.html

The Auction accepts Absentee Bids for those that can't attend. Hope this helps someone here...

I do not work for them but I often attend to see if I can pick up a bargain or two...
 
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