Original Antique French Mannlicher Berthier Mle 1890 Saddle-Ring Carbine by Saint-Étienne dated 1891 – serial F33314 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Mannlicher-Berthier rifles and carbines were a family of bolt-action small arms in 8mm Lebel, used in the French Army from the 1890s to the beginning of World War II (1940). The Berthier design began as the “Mousquetons Berthier” – a series of bolt-action cavalry and artillery carbines with distinctly different actions from the Mle 1886/M93 8mm Lebel rifle. For instance, the Berthier carbine’s bolt lugs lock vertically into the receiver instead of horizontally as in the Lebel rifle. Berthier carbines were first issued in 1890 and 1892, and had been designed by Emile Berthier, an engineer at the French Algerian Railways, to be used with standard 8mm Lebel ammunition.

The Berthier design was introduced as a replacement for the various aging Mle 1874 Gras single-shot carbines – still standard for French cavalry, artillery, and gendarme forces even after the introduction of the Mle 1886/M93 Lebel. Prior experiments with several carbine versions of the Lebel action proved unacceptably heavy and slow to load while on horseback. While retaining most of the action’s strong points, the Berthier carbine improved on the earlier Mle 1886 rifle by using a one-piece stock and a Mannlicher-style, charger-loaded en bloc 3 shot clip. These Berthier carbines were progressively allocated to all cavalry, artillery and gendarmerie troops during the 1890s.

The first Berthier carbine came into production as the “Carabine de Cavalerie Modèle 1890“, which was officially adopted for service on March 14, 1890. The main production facilities were the Manufacture d’Armes de St Etienne or MAS and the Manufacture d’Armes de Chatellerault or MAC. The search for a suitable small arm for mounted troops was given greater urgency by the Germans’ development of the Karabiner Modell 1888, a carbine variant of the Gewehr 1888. It was issued to essentially all French artillery and cavalry troops. As the high Command appreciated the performance of the Mle 1890 Berthier carbine, a second version was specifically produced for artillery service, the “Mousqueton Mle 1892” which could mount a short blade bayonet and thus had a re-designed forend stock. However it continued to feature the 3-round En-bloc clip of the Model 1890 carbine. During the First World War it became obvious that the 3-round clip was a handicap compared to German short weapons such as the German Kar98AZ which had a 5-round clip.

The left side of the receiver on this interesting early example is clearly marked with St” Étienne, and to the right MLE 1890, indicating manufacture at the government arsenal at Saint-Étienne. The rifle has arsenal proofs on most parts, and is marked MA S 1891 on the right side of the barrel, the abbreviation for Manufacture d’Armes Saint-Étienne, indicating that it was produced in 1891, the second year of production. It is also markd with serial number F 33314 on the barrel, magazine housing, bolt, and even very faintly on the left side of the butt stock. That makes this a very nice “ALL MATCHING” example, with no parts swapped out over the years!

The Modèle 1890 carbines were only manufactured until 1893, when enough have been made for just the cavalry, and production shifted entirely to the Mousqueton Modèle 1892. All receivers marked with the MLE1890 marking are pre-1899 manufacture and considered antique by Federal law.

The carbine is fitted with the correct original sling loop on the left side of the barrel band, and the sling inlet on the left side of the butt stock. It also still has the original cleaning rod slot, and still has the original cleaning rod! Many of these were later upgraded to the Mle 1892 standard, or had the cleaning rod lost, so it is very rare to see a Mle 1890 still in the original configuration. It even still has a great original leather sling installed, which has arsenal stamped on the reverse. It does show age, and has a few edge tears as well.

This Berthier Saddle Ring carbine is in good condition, showing wear from long service on the metalwork, with some possible refinishing at arsenal, and the stock is in great shape, also looking to have been reconditioned in the past. There is no major damage to the stock, and it really looks great. We checked the bore, and it is in excellent condition, showing a bright finish with crisp lands and grooves. Really a fantastic bore! The rifle does cycle well, with a good dry fire, though we have no way to check to see if the magazine feeds. The original ladder sight is still present, and fully functional.

A fantastic early example of a hard to find carbine, still in the original configuration and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1891
Caliber: 8×50mmR Lebel
Cartridge Type: Centerfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 17 Inches
Overall Length: 37 Inches
Action type: Bolt-Action
Feed System: 3-round Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip