Technical Description: French Berthier Model 1916, bolt action, repeating carbine, serial number AB38110, caliber 8mm Lebel. Standard military configuration carbine with sling. The front sight is a wide blade with a center notch or groove. The rear sight
is a combination tangent and leaf, graduated to 2000 meters. The left side of the barrel is marked forward of the receiver CC and AB 38110. The top of the barrel is marked N, the right side of the barrel is marked MA C 1917. The left receiver wall is marked, in script, Chatellaurelt and MLE M.16. The upper portion of the receiver wall marks are very faint due to refinishing. The bright finished bolt is marked AB 38110 on the handle base. Regulation walnut stock, marked on the left butt AB 38110. Period repair to the left side of the stock between the barrel band and the nose cap. The butt is split at the toe. The bore is very good. The sling is the correct type. A 1 1/16 inch piece of metal tubing has been pressed on the muzzle, most likely to lengthen the 17 ½
barrel to the 18 inch legal minimum length for import into the United States. Although the receiver is marked MLE M.16, for Model 1916 the carbine lacks the Model 1916 five round magazine and the upper handguard. Historical Significance: The Berthier 1890 carbine was the first of a series of Berthier models. It combines the Lebel 1886 bolt system with the Mannlicher-type clip loading magazine. Carbines were manufactured with several variations in such minor details as the type of cleaning rod, stacking hook, and stock and action details. The carbine was
used by cavalry units, machine gun squads, and artillery crews.