Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

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martin08
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Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by martin08 »

Remington Arms made some really awesome looking rifles in the WWI era. The MLE 1907-15 is assuredly one of them.

Originally contracted with France, for 200,000 units, Remington could not meet production quotas and only completed approximately 100,000. France rejected all but around ten thousand units, citing improper chamber specs and insufficient inventories. The French-accepted rifles were given serial numbers, and are extremely scarce today.

So, the bulk of these guns remained stateside, and were utilized for armed forces training. But the Remington Berthier rifle's highest profile exposure came from training with the 369th, Infantry Regiment (and possibly 370th, 371st and 372nd), comprised of all black soldiers. When they arrived to fight in France, the French outfitted them with much equipment, including the Berthier rifle. It is unclear whether or not the Remington model was issued with the 369th, though.

Following the war, Remington manufactured ammunition in the US, and a great many MLE 1907-15's became the victims of the 'sporting rifle' syndrome, and were sadly cut down.

Some of the rifles remained whole. I was lucky to get my mitts on one! Pics, and thanks for looking.

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desdem12
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by desdem12 »

Beautiful. :vcool: :vcool: :vcool: I happen to have some of that Remington 8mm lebel. :thumbsup:
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by racerguy00 »

That's in great shape. Wow. Will you be shooting it? According to Privi there will be another batch of Lebel made next year. I have a box from their last run but havent used up any yet.
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tjtM38
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by tjtM38 »

Were the chambers out of spec, or were the French playing politics?
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

The French were full of shit and nitpicking to get out of paying. These rifles served hunters and shooters here in the US for many years, not to mention all the ones that the army used for training with no problems. This is a nice example of the Remington. Remington did not make crap, they had extensive experience with huge military contracts, US, Russia, UK, Argentina, Mexico, Egypt, just to name a few countries that used Remington made rifles with no problems.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
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martin08
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by martin08 »

racerguy00 wrote:That's in great shape. Wow. Will you be shooting it? According to Privi there will be another batch of Lebel made next year. I have a box from their last run but havent used up any yet.
Good question! I never aspired to be a French firearms collector. Now, with my fifth one, I should maybe get some ammo. Maybe?

:D
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

The French may have designed it, but that's not a French firearm, that's American made, never left the US of A, and the best Berthier of any of them!
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
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JER
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by JER »

I have one of those also. Beautiful wood and blueing. Wondering if there is a Remington made Bayonet? Haven't seen one myself...
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

Yes there is, I think somebody on the board has one, but I don't remember who it was.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
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81turbota
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by 81turbota »

I like it! The action looks pretty similar to a Mosin.
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by Longcolt44 »

You do find the coolest stuff.
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TulaTom
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by TulaTom »

Very cool rifle. Nice addition! I say shoot it once. :thumbsup:
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Emdawg
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by Emdawg »

Now that is a nice Remington!
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finloq
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by finloq »

The condition is amazing considering.
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djbuck1
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by djbuck1 »

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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gurn
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by gurn »

JER wrote:I have one of those also. Beautiful wood and blueing. Wondering if there is a Remington made Bayonet? Haven't seen one myself...


Nice example of one. http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world-fir ... onet-4837/
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gurn
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by gurn »

Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass! - May your swords stay sharp!
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SA1911a1
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Re: Remington Berthier MLE 1907-15

Post by SA1911a1 »

Martin has fired up his time machine and pillaged the past yet again. Some WWI Dough-boy was drawing a bead and, all the sudden, he had nothing in his hands. As Gomer might say, "What a mean thang to do."

Nice one Martin!
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