Offered here is an original French Berthier Mle 1916 “Mousqueton” carbine, manufactured at Manufacture d’Armes de Châtellerault and clearly stamped MAC 1918. This is the classic short Berthier carbine configuration associated with French artillery, cavalry, and support troops, equipped with the 5-round fixed internal magazine and the long upper handguard characteristic of the Mle 1916 pattern. The rear sight remains graduated to “20” (2000 meters), consistent with the military specification of the period.
The visible barrel and receiver markings are original and legible. The rifle bears a clear Modifié N marking, indicating the standard French arsenal modification that enlarged the chamber neck to accommodate the later 8×51R Lebel Balle N cartridge. As such, this rifle remains within the 8 mm Lebel family, but reflects the important interwar French military update for the heavier Balle N loading.
Worth noting for collectors, among the visible markings observed on this example, no Turkish military property marks, Ottoman-era stamps, or later Turkish arsenal identifiers were noted. This is a particularly desirable detail, as many surviving Berthier carbines encountered on today’s collector market passed through foreign service or later reissue channels. The apparent absence of Turkish military marking within the markings presently visible helps preserve the rifle’s identity as a distinctly French military example, and adds to its collector appeal.
The wood remains solid and serviceable, showing honest field wear, scattered handling marks, and age-consistent dents. The metal surfaces retain an even, aged military appearance with visible inspection and controller proofs. Bore condition is good, with rifling still strong and well-defined. The cleaning rod is missing. The buttplate area is fitted with a later leather-type replacement pad in the original general profile, likely added in a post-service period. Serial numbers are mismatched, consistent with arsenal maintenance or refurbishment often seen on long-service French military arms.
Overall, this is an honest and attractive late-WWI French Berthier Mle 1916 carbine, produced at Châtellerault in 1918, retaining clear French military identity, strong visible markings, desirable Modifié N history, and very good collector character throughout.
Bore Condition: Rifling visible, strong, and well-defined.
Chambering: 8×50R Lebel, with Modifié N chamber modification for 8×51R Lebel Balle N.
Magazine: 5-round fixed internal magazine.
Accessories: Cleaning rod absent. Bayonet not included.
Markings: MAC 1918 barrel marking, Modifié N mark, French controller and inspection proofs.
Condition: Good service-grade military antique with honest wear and solid overall presentation.
