Help me find a MLE 1917 8mm Lebel Clip

[pcvando]

Hello,

I recently got a fully functional MLE 1917 in very good all matching condition.

I need a clip for it.

The berthier clips don't fit, I need the proprietary clip.

Any help is appreciated, feel free to PM me too.

I don't even know where to start.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[oldpaul]

What a fine acquisition. Since you own this, you probably know that the 1918 version was converted to take the five round M16 Berthier clips because the originals were flimsy and it would also standardize clips between weapons. Do you know if this modification was simple, as in narrowing the magazine follower or something similar? Although I am loathe to alter a historical firearm; if I cannot shoot a firearm, it isn't kept. I, and am certain, others, would love to see pictures. I am envious. Tom

[pcvando]

What a fine acquisition. Since you own this, you probably know that the 1918 version was converted to take the five round M16 Berthier clips because the originals were flimsy and it would also standardize clips between weapons. Do you know if this modification was simple, as in narrowing the magazine follower or something similar? Although I am loathe to alter a historical firearm; if I cannot shoot a firearm, it isn't kept. I, and am certain, others, would love to see pictures. I am envious. Tom

Its too nice to modify, although I see your point.

I purchased it in the US and had it imported to Canada.

It was listed as "Semi Auto conversion to single shot straight pull" but that is not correct. Its fully functional, and all matching
Here you go

[DocAV]

The M1918s ( shorter, and Standard Mle16 Chargeur) missed WW I, and were sent to Algeria and Morocco, where they were "blocked" to straight-pull only (By brazing a Block over the Gas Hole.)
If any are still to be found, it will be in Morocco, adorning a Berber Tent or a Mud-Brick House.

Some of the M1917s were rebuilt into M18s, and some M18s were built new.
As to the Original Long M17s, I don't know how many were made and survived WWI; they were definitely used by French Infantry in 1918 (Photos exist). Field reports on usage are scarce.
I also don't know if the M17s were also "blocked" to straight-pull. Info on these in Morocco is not clear.

Doc AV

[RCS]

My friend in Flordia has a nice RSC Mle 1917 rifle too, his was converted to accept the new Model 1932 Lebel cartridge and stamped on the top with a large N (like the bolt action conversions)

From reading a French Forum on another site, they state that these were never converted to manual operation and still in use up to WW2. Parts were salvaged from these rifles (some 86,000 were manufactured during WW1) from the gas system to use in other riflesAttachment 66895

[pcvando]

My friend in Flordia has a nice RSC Mle 1917 rifle too, his was converted to accept the new Model 1932 Lebel cartridge and stamped on the top with a large N (like the bolt action conversions)

From reading a French Forum on another site, they state that these were never converted to manual operation and still in use up to WW2. Parts were salvaged from these rifles (some 86,000 were manufactured during WW1) from the gas system to use in other riflesAttachment 66895

Interesting, they rarely come up for sale, but when they do, you see them for sale being advertised as "Converted to straight pull single shot."
So not sure if they are all misinformed? I have seen at least 4 advertised like this going back to sites from 2008-2012.

[RCS]

Paul, you should ask these questions on the French Forum on gunboards.com total online service for the gun owner and collector, you will find very knowledgeable French collectors on this forum

[pcvando]

The M1918s ( shorter, and Standard Mle16 Chargeur) missed WW I, and were sent to Algeria and Morocco, where they were "blocked" to straight-pull only (By brazing a Block over the Gas Hole.)
If any are still to be found, it will be in Morocco, adorning a Berber Tent or a Mud-Brick House.

Some of the M1917s were rebuilt into M18s, and some M18s were built new.
As to the Original Long M17s, I don't know how many were made and survived WWI; they were definitely used by French Infantry in 1918 (Photos exist). Field reports on usage are scarce.
I also don't know if the M17s were also "blocked" to straight-pull. Info on these in Morocco is not clear.

Doc AV

Is mine a m1917?

I ask because the description for a MLE 1918 fits mine a lot better on forgotten weapons.

"These faults were all recognized, and simply due to the very hasty conditions under which the rifle was designed and tested. A revised and much improved Mle 1918 was put into production at the very end of the war (4,000 made in November 1918) which solved many of the early rifle’s problems. The Mle 1918 had a rotating dust cover to protect the action, it used standard Berthier 5-round clips, it added a last-round bolt hold-open, and an improved gas system. The 1918 was also lighter, weighing 10.5 pounds compared to the 1917’s 11.5 pounds. A shorter carbine version of the Mle 1918 was also made in small numbers."

Mine has those features... Has a dust cover, bolt hold open, is 10.5 lbs....

But it doesn't take 5 round berthier clips.... Also it is marked 1917 as a manufacture date, but no date on the left side of the receiver like most 1917.

What exactly do I have?

Also the charging handle is different, it's not a round ball like the 1917's in pictures.

See this picture: http://www.forgottenweapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/3rifles.jpg

It claims the middle one is a 1918, and the top a 1917...
I definitely have the middle one, whatever it is.

Any thoughts?