Berthier rifles

[Doug]

In the past few months I have seen two rifles that I am fairly certain are Berthier Model 1907 rifles chambered for the 8 mm Lebel cartridge. Both were in very rough shape and missing the magazines.

Doing a small bit of reading, including Claven2's informative piece in the Knowledge Library here, I am not certain that these rifles HAVE a magazine, but I cannot figure out how they operate if they do not have a mag. One article I was reading showed a three round stripper clip, but a "magless" rifle.

So, for you experts out there:

1. Does this rifle take a mag?

2. Are mags available? If so, how much do they cost?

Both of those rifles that I saw are no doubt for sale. I was offered the one, along with a Finnish Mosin Nagant, also in very rough shape, and I think I insulted the old lad with my offer of fifty bucks for the pair of them. I did not see the value in old, rusted, pitted milsurps of a non-popular type as a sound investment......

Doug

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[Claven2]

The Berthier rifles don't take a magazine. They are charger loaded like a Mannlicher and need the chargers to work.

the earlier 1886 series lebels had a tube mag like a mauser 71/84.

$50 is an insulting price as you could easily have parted the two rifles on e-bay for over $300 in any condition.

That being said, a beat up Finn msoin is maybe a $100 rifle and a non-sporter Berthier can be anywhere from a $150 to a $800 rifle depending on alot of factors

[Doug]

I am not sure why, but the website did NOT tell me that there was a response to my post - glad I checked!

Well, the one rifle is currently being cleaned up by a smith, so it will become available, and I know where the other one probably is.............

But I could buy quite a number of beat up Finnish Mosin nagants around the country for a hundred bucks apiece and the sellers would think they had the world by the tail - and I would agree with them!

So Ron when I see you at Merrickville I will tell you where to find those M1907s..........the one being restored is a Chatellereault.

Doug

[Claven2]

Tanks Doug, but what I really want you to find for me is affordable 8mm FMJ!!!

[desporterizer]

Any unwanted mosins should come my way imediately, reguardless of condition. SA markings are a bonus.