I picked up a nice example of the French Berthier carbine the other week. This one still has its original three-shot magazine, although it did have the post-1927 conversions as well. I removed the strip of wood which filled in the channel for the cleaning rod, and for the moment I am using an old K98 rod until I make up a copy of the brass-tipped type which these carbines had. On stripping the weapon down I discovered the receiver was without the lug at the rear underside - which would point to this being of pre-1909 manufacture. The original date of manufacture has been worn away, so this was a good pointer to how old the weapon actually was. Generally speaking, the weapon, although deactivated, is in fine collectible condition. And there are not that many of them around with their original three-shot magazine.
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