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Post by jms on Sept 4, 2021 17:49:07 GMT -5
Just recently watched a video about how the old Berthier rifles were modified to shoot the 7.5 round before WW2. I think I saw some pics, but now can't recall where, that showed French troops in Indochina carrying some of these weapons. I didn't know about the modification program when I saw the pics and really didn't know what the rifles were. Any idea on how common they might have been?
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Post by craigtx on Sept 5, 2021 8:23:08 GMT -5
I have no idea. Certainly not a regular occurrence. I would guess that they would be in the hands of colonial/indigenous troops. The more modern arms would go to the CEFEO troops.
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Post by lew on Sept 9, 2021 10:45:27 GMT -5
Prior to the war, the Berthier Mle. 07 in 8mm Lebel was the standard for all Indochinese Tirailleur units, and Berthier 8mm carbines were issued to police forces until the end of the Algerian War. There were only 80,000 Mle. 07/15-M34 or newly-manufactured Mle. 34 rifles in 7.5mm produced, so I would presume they would have been rare in CEFEO, and probably would have stayed in the Metropole.
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Post by jms on Sept 10, 2021 13:30:12 GMT -5
I wish I could recall where I saw the M34 Berthier in Indochina. Can't remember if it was single pictures or video at this point. I just was thinking when I saw the image that at first I thought they were some type of Mauser because I knew they weren't the Mas 36 weapon. Didn't even think of a converted Berthier being possible.
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Post by Kenneth on Sept 13, 2021 6:22:06 GMT -5
The older carbines, presumably in 7.5mm, appear to have been commonly used in Algeria well into the 1950s, although not necessarily in large numbers. Likewise, they appear to have been used mainly by troops stationed further to the south in the country and less involved in active operations. Anyway, they do appear in photos.
The only one that I've seen and was able to examine had markings in a very interesting script but I don't know what the caliber was.
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topbreak
Dans le théâtre de la guerre
Posts: 91
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Post by topbreak on Dec 9, 2021 11:24:55 GMT -5
The 8mm Berthiers used in Indochina, were they older of the older pattern with 3 round magazines, or were they the newer pattern with the 5 round mags?
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Post by lepayen on Aug 23, 2022 18:33:25 GMT -5
Berthier at the bottom.. Obviously can't Id the caliber. Captured weapons from 2nd IC War by 9th ID .  |
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