Rule No.1: No stupid French surrender jokes. Anyone who actually believes the tripe that the French in WW1 would read The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman and I guarantee you will change your mind.
Similarly, anyone claiming the French army in WW2 were cowardly needs to read Before the Dawn by Sir John Smyth V.C. - Smyth was a brigade commander (127th Infantry Brigade) in the BEF at Dunkirk - he's quite clear about the French Army's role in averting the death of every Englishman in France at the time and the human cost of doing so. Quite an eye opener.
Rule No.2: Must be a milsurp from France or a Colony of France, not a modern black rifle.
Rule No.3: no blurry cell phone pics!!! lol. Descriptions of the kit appreciated!
So the start things off, here is my contribution:
Top: Mle 1886 M93 fusil d'infanterie dit Lebel. Pre-WW1 era Manufactures d'Armes St. Etienne receiver, 1926 Tulle re-barrel with Balle N chamber. Mis-matched bolt. Likely saw service in WW2.
Middle: Mle 1907-15 fusil d'infanterie dit Berthier, mfgr 1916 at St. Etienne. WW1 era matching rifle, not been refurbed but does have the N chamber mod.
Bottom: Mousqueton de Artillerie Mle M16. WW1 era carbine manufactured at St. Etienne. This one has been through the 1920's rebuild program as it no longer has a cleaning rod channel, but it was before 1927 as it does not have a balle N chamber.
Both bayonets are Epee-Baionnette Modele 1886-1915's with brass handles.
Two of the 3-round chargers are WW1 items, two are 1950's era Santa Fe reproductions and the two 5-rounders are 1930's era originals. The carbine has a nice pre-ww2 sling. The Berthier has a post-war sling.
Originals:
Similarly, anyone claiming the French army in WW2 were cowardly needs to read Before the Dawn by Sir John Smyth V.C. - Smyth was a brigade commander (127th Infantry Brigade) in the BEF at Dunkirk - he's quite clear about the French Army's role in averting the death of every Englishman in France at the time and the human cost of doing so. Quite an eye opener.
Rule No.2: Must be a milsurp from France or a Colony of France, not a modern black rifle.
Rule No.3: no blurry cell phone pics!!! lol. Descriptions of the kit appreciated!
So the start things off, here is my contribution:
Top: Mle 1886 M93 fusil d'infanterie dit Lebel. Pre-WW1 era Manufactures d'Armes St. Etienne receiver, 1926 Tulle re-barrel with Balle N chamber. Mis-matched bolt. Likely saw service in WW2.
Middle: Mle 1907-15 fusil d'infanterie dit Berthier, mfgr 1916 at St. Etienne. WW1 era matching rifle, not been refurbed but does have the N chamber mod.
Bottom: Mousqueton de Artillerie Mle M16. WW1 era carbine manufactured at St. Etienne. This one has been through the 1920's rebuild program as it no longer has a cleaning rod channel, but it was before 1927 as it does not have a balle N chamber.
Both bayonets are Epee-Baionnette Modele 1886-1915's with brass handles.
Two of the 3-round chargers are WW1 items, two are 1950's era Santa Fe reproductions and the two 5-rounders are 1930's era originals. The carbine has a nice pre-ww2 sling. The Berthier has a post-war sling.
Originals:
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