Need information on a Berthier MLE 1907-15 receiver marked Établissement Continsouza

[tdennis]

I own a 8mm Lebel that is marked on the receiver in nice bold script ET es Continsouza MLE 1907-15. On the root/base of the straight bolt it has the letter L in a circle. Also what may be a worn script T followed by and H also in script, then serial number 29793. I see no other marking on any of the metal but I did not remove any of the wood.

This was part of my wife's father's military gun collection but no information was provided. I am trying to find out what it is and an approximate value for insurance purposes. The rifle appears to be in as issued condition. I know that my father-in-law bought several rifles via the NRA back in the late 50's and 60's prior to the 68 gun control act. Wife and I were married in 1966 and he owned this rifle prior to our marriage.

What little I have found out about it seems to indicate that only the receiver was made by Établissement Continsouza and that this in addition to it still being a MLE 1907-15 and not converted to a MDL-16 makes it more desirable to a collector of French military firearms.

Appreciate any information you might be able to provide.
Thanks
Tdennis
Central VA

Information

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[burb1989]

As with everything the value depends on condition, matching numbers, etc. There should be a matching numbered bolt and stock just to start as the French loved to number every visible part they could. As to value an 07-15 is a little more desirable as supposed to say just an Mle 1916 and Continsouza is a harder to find arsenal (it ranks up there with Tulle marked examples). Also if the stock has been refinished in any way it'll hurt the value as most don't want refinished pieces. Getting a couple of pictures posted here can help as well as it lets others who know the market well get a good close look at what you have.

[tdennis]

Thanks burb1989, I will try to take some photos later today or tomorrow and post them. I did decide to pull the upper wood off the forearm and found these numbers:
On the side opposite the bolt just in front of the receiver it has stamped "CN" and just under that it has What appears to be "83314". On the bolt side the barrel, just in front of the receiver is marked "MAS 1917". I was not sure how to tell if it was a 3 shot or 5 shot but by looking at some photos of others I believe this one is a 5 shot since it has the metal magazine extension just in front of the trigger guard.

I also found a serial number 85560 stamped on the bottom of the trigger guard bow.
Tdennis

[burb1989]

Well the markings go like this:
The CN 83314 is the letter block and serial number of the rifle. From the other numbers posted yours sounds like a complete mixmaster of parts from different rifles. That's fairly common but it does decrease the value some because of that.
The MAS 1917 is the arsenal where your rifle was finished and when the barrel was placed into the receiver, finishing your rifle. Yours was finished and ready to go sometime in 1917.

[tdennis]

Attached are photos of the rifle mentioned above.
Tdennis

[tdennis]

Well the markings go like this:
The CN 83314 is the letter block and serial number of the rifle. From the other numbers posted yours sounds like a complete mixmaster of parts from different rifles. That's fairly common but it does decrease the value some because of that.
The MAS 1917 is the arsenal where your rifle was finished and when the barrel was placed into the receiver, finishing your rifle. Yours was finished and ready to go sometime in 1917.

Thanks burb1989, I appreciate your time and information. I don't normally fool with these type rifles, more into flintlocks but wanted to see what info I could come up with for my father-in-laws (now deceased) rifle.
Thanks
Tdennis

[burb1989]

No problem. That 8mm scratched into the side will hurt value some too. Overall though it looks in decent shape and not refinished which helps. There isn't a lot of demand for French rifles here in the US hence why there is low supply. With the condition and mismatched parts I would put an educated guess value at around $250-$300. Now if it was Remington marked that would be a whole different story as they only made limited numbers of them for Russiia and those can get into the thousands.

[Aragorn243]

$250-$300 might be a little high but is reasonable.

[RCS]

The Remington is not the most desirable to the collector, as most were rejected by the French or underwent rebuild by the French when received during the war. Most Remingtons found
in the USA are in excellent condition because they were never shipped but sold as surplus after the war.

The Remington Mosin Nagant is an excellent well made rifle