Comments by "" (@RedXlV) on "The Berthier Gets an Upgrade: The Model 1916" video.

France (like most of Europe) had a rifle shortage during WW1. As such, they weren't in the business of replacing guns that were still capable of shooting a modern cartridge. They even bought new single-shot Remington Rolling Blocks in 8mm Lebel for rear-line service. The Lebels remained in use during WW1 because there weren't enough Berthiers to replace them. After the war, the Lebel was mostly replaced, but some (mostly cut down into carbines) were still around in rear-line units even during WW2. The French Army was severely under-funded in the interwar years.
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