I picked up a Berthier M16 from MDS member C&RTactical back in late 2019. He needed cash for a gun show and I needed a little French in my collection. It was a sporter. The wood had been cut (but not the barrel) and it was missing all the metal for the front-end furniture but was otherwise in nice shape. Good bore, all matching, un-cut metal.
I knew it would take some doing to get her put back to fighting form, but I was ultimately able to do so. All of the parts are original with the exception of the front cap which is a repro from France.
The stock came from our very own C&R whisperer (Thanks again Mawkie!) and the forend parts came from Gallerie De Mars in France, Raid Militaria of the UK, Liberty Tree (for the upper guard), and entrepreneurial French citizens via Naturabuy.fr.
I think it turned out alright.
I knew it would take some doing to get her put back to fighting form, but I was ultimately able to do so. All of the parts are original with the exception of the front cap which is a repro from France.
The stock came from our very own C&R whisperer (Thanks again Mawkie!) and the forend parts came from Gallerie De Mars in France, Raid Militaria of the UK, Liberty Tree (for the upper guard), and entrepreneurial French citizens via Naturabuy.fr.
I think it turned out alright.
