Article: Modèle 1907-15 Mannlicher Berthier (Turkish Forestry Service Carbine)

[Badger]

You can view the page at https://www.milsurps.com/content.php...rvice-Carbine)

Information

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[cjstewart]

Thanks for the good pics. Based on those and some internet research I just identified my Berthier / Orman forestry carbine as 1916, Chatellerault, M-16 also converted 1948 with "N" Balle marking. Luckily I still have the 5 round charger and a spare 3 round charger along with an assortment of ammo ( 1935 thru 48 ) including what may be the armor piercing machine gun rounds so sought after. I too took some pics of mine but I have to get around to posting them. Mine is a beauty also and dear to my heart. A gun with some interesting history for sure.

[reded69]

When you read the history on these carbines you realize four things:

1) That the French Colonial troops of the Levant(Lebanon&Syria)were still largely equipped with the unconverted 3-shot 07-15 Berthier rifle(not the M1916 modification).

2) That the Turks must have received a lot of 8mm Lebel ammo and 3-round clips from the French to not bother to convert the rifles to their own 7.65x54mm ammo and Mauser charger system(a la the M34 7.5x54mm modification to the Berthier).

3) That at least 8000 French troops (white&Native)decided internment in Nuetral Turkey was preferable to having to join or fight against the Allies. Fair or unfair, this is where the Surrender Monkey jokes come from.

4) Those Turk Tree Policemen were in trouble if the tree jackers had guns with 5 or more bullets in them!

[frogman]

I saw one of these Mannlicher Berthier carbines at the Tampa gun show fair grounds and the guy had a huge price on it, near to $1000.00 price tag.
It had me intrigued and I though it might have been something that the colonial German forces in WW1 might have used. I thank you for posting the article and keeping us informed.

[kjohn]

I recently snagged one. Not all that common around these parts. I also have a three round clip with live ammo!