MAS 1936 C.R. 39 Questions

[blinky]

I have a French MAS 1936 C.R. 39 rifle with folding buttstock that was captured in Vietnam. What exactly were these used for? I've heard that they were paratrooper rifles but another source says they were used for Mountain troops. I'm not really into weapons but I assume in any event it's fairly rare?

Thanks in advance!

Eric

[Edelweiss]

You're right about all points, Eric ; it was used by the Chasseurs Alpins, but their skin could stuck on the metal of the stock by low temperatures. It was also used by the Paras (but not only) in Indochina ; but the aluminium was too weak to bear with the backwards shock in intensive use.

Despites these flaws, yes it's a desirable item today. Especially with such a provenance.

[blinky]

Thanks Chris! I never would have guessed mountain use for the very reason you mentioned.....

I took some pictures of it, hope everyone enjoys

eric

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[Edelweiss]

Very nice, the tag on the stock is really a plus.

There was a device inside the stock to automatically roll the strap when the stock is folded ; is it still there ?
I hope so, then you'll only have to find a strap.

[blinky]

The device is there but I think it's broken or incomplete, I can't see how a strap would attach to it. About all I could see was a small tab attached to a reel.

This is one of those "if it could only talk" pieces.

eric

[petermac]

Nice rifle and in very good condition. They make good shooters with only three problems, the foresight blade is very thick, the aluminium stripper clips aren't much good and ammo is quite hard to find. Although it says 7.5mm the bullet diameter is actually 7.62 (0.308), the problem is that the base diameter of the cartridge case is unique to this calibre. FNM of Portugal make new ammo but it is loaded a bit low which gives very smokey cases and the point of impact is out. That said, the brass is boxer primed and can be easily reloaded, I think that Lee make dies.

If you're interested I think I have (somewhere!) an original French 'owners manual' which I could send you scans of. I also have an article from a UK gun magazine with reloading details that I used when I owned a couple of MAS rifles. Drop me an e-mail if you want me to delve into the archives!

Congratulations on turning this one up. Peter

[Edelweiss]

Call me Mr Goodguy !

[Edelweiss]

These guys are skiers belonging to the "Bataillon of the Mont Blanc", the photo was taken in 1945 ; here's a clozup :

[Edelweiss]

And here's a para of the 14e RCP (Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) in Algeria, 1958 ; thus you've got illustrations of the two main branches of the french army who used this weapon.

Too bad we were too slow to get this gun issued on a wide scale in 1940...

PS : I won't give you the advice to use it regularly : you will damage the label and the stock with time... and your shoulder right away.

[blinky]

Thank you very much Peter and Chris! Those pictures are great Chris! Holding it's easy to see why it would be good in the mountains....it's very compact and solid feeling. I'll probably never fire it, I imagine the last person to fire it was VC.
And Peter, I sent you a pm.

eric