the berthier design was introduced as a replacement for the various aging mle 1874 gras single-shot carbines - still standard for french cavalry, artillery, and gendarme forces even after the introduction of the mle 1886/m93 lebel. prior experiments with several carbine versions of the lebel action proved unacceptably heavy and slow to load while on horseback. while retaining most of the action's strong points, the berthier carbine improved on the earlier mle 1886 rifle by using a one-piece stock and a mannlicher-style, charger-loaded "en bloc" 3 shot clip. these berthier carbines were progressively allocated to all cavalry, artillery and gendarmerie troops during the 1890s.