Design
Berthier carabiners and rifles constitute a coherent set of armament based on the same Mannlicher loading mechanism developed for the French army from 1890 and which took part in the First and Second World Wars.
When the Germans designed their Mle 1888 rifle, they added a carbine or carabiner variant intended for mounted troops. To deal with it, France only has the carabiner derived from the Gras rifle, fed with a single 11mm black powder cartridge, completely outdated. In the context of the "arms race" that has developed between the two future belligerents, it is urgent to take measures.
At first, the Artillery Commission which is in charge of the replacement is offered a shortened version of the Lebel which does not really give satisfaction due in particular to its Kropatscheck repeater mechanism.
A civilian, office manager of the Algerian railways for the Bône-Guelma company offers a carabiner based on a rifle identical to the Lebel but with a Mannlicher loading system. In 1887, he proposed his invention to the Artillery Committee, which refused and dismissed him. He corrected his plans and proposed his project again in May 1888. He then received a favorable trial opinion.
The Puteaux workshop (APX) then produced around ten prototypes which were tested at Mont-Valérien. The tests demonstrate the superiority of the Berthier system compared to the Lebel, particularly in the field of firing speed. The members of the commission then decided to create a cavalry carbine and an artillery carabiner on the basis of this weapon.
The Army Technical Section (STA) tests the weapon and modifies it accordingly. It was adopted on March 14, 1890. The merits of Mr. Berthier were recognized but, as he did not belong to the military milieu and the weapon had been considerably modified by the STA, his name was not officially associated with it.
Development
Rifles and carabiners
The Berthier rifle is available in several weapon models:
The Mle 1890 cavalry carbine
The cavalry carbine is the first weapon developed from the system. It is aesthetic, light, handy and efficient. However, its magazine is too small with 3 cartridges while most competitors have 5. In addition, it can only be loaded using clips. It is a bit flimsy because it is only built in one piece. Its barrel is too short to give it optimum ballistic characteristics. Given the reduced size of its barrel, the recoil of the weapon is very important. Finally, it lacks sealing at the trigger guard.
But overall the cavalry rifle is a popular weapon and more efficient than weapons from the Lebel system.
The Mle 1890 gendarmerie rifle
The gendarmerie rifle resembles exactly the cavalry rifle. Its difference consists in a bayonet sword that resembles that of the Lebel, with a particular hooking device. In addition, it has a slot for a cleaning rod. The marking of the weapon is differentiated from it.
The Mle 1890 cuirassier rifle
To replace the Mle 1873 revolver, which is not suitable for their combat, a special carbine for the cuirassiers is also produced. Indeed, the cuirassiers carrying, by definition, the cuirass, have difficulties to support without damaging it. The changes made are:
A 7mm lengthening of the weapon
A stock with a more accentuated slope
A leather butt plate so as not to damage the breastplate when firing
The Mle cuirass was itself modified in 1891 and the rivet of the right shoulder pad was leveled off.
From 1916, Mle 1890 cuirassier rifles were no longer repaired with their specific components. From 1920, they were brought back to the M 16 standard and disappeared as such from the inventories of the French army, much like the cuirassiers.
The Mle 1892 artillery carabiner
The artillery snap hook differs essentially from the cavalry carbine by its Mle 1892 sabre-bayonet which is more of a tool than a weapon.
The Mle 1890 carbine with retracting bayonet
Rifles
From 1902, the Berthier system was extended to rifles:
The Mle 1902 Indochinese skirmisher rifle
As auxiliary troops, the Indochinese skirmishers are equipped with all kinds of weapons, the Mousqueton Mle 1892 at best, whose recoil is difficult to bear, the Gras rifle of the gendarmerie on foot or even the Lebel, too heavy and too long. In 1901, the Governor of Indochina therefore expressly requested a new weapon. The artillery committee therefore set to work and ended up with a rifle based on a prototype from the Mle 1890 gendarmerie carbine. This rifle was called "Indochinese Rifleman Rifle Mle 1902" and an order for 10,000 copies was at the arms factory of Chatellerault. The rifle was so successful that 10,000 copies were bought by Persia in 1908 and its production continued at MAC until 1911.
A new order was placed in 1920 for the 1902 model with the M 16 modification and it was produced until 1927.
The Mle 1907 "colonial" or "Senegalese tirailleur" rifle
The Mle 1907 M 15 rifle
The upgrade of the entire M 16 set
The 07/15 M 34 rifle
The latest M 35 modification
Use
A use originally intended for mounted weapons
An extension to the colonial troops
Then an extension to all arms and all support and support services