France has used its 1886 model Lebel 8 mm rifle for many years, so that, in the opinion of the French military, it was so good. And although already during the First World War, the Berthier rifle was adopted, and then the Riberolis automatic rifle arr. 1917, the French army did not shine with novelties in the field of small arms. The force of habit was too great, and the French military was too weakly guided by technological progress in this area. This attitude had the most negative effect on the program for the development of a new infantry rifle, which began in 1931, which was implemented so slowly that the new MAS 1936 rifle, that is, the 1936 model, began to be produced only at the end of March 1938. That is, with the Lebel rifle of 1886, French soldiers had to fight in World War II, and in the colonies they were used in the post-war period. Moreover, everyone understood that the lack of a new rifle was due to the lack of a new cartridge, and the old one was long out of date. However, the creation of a new cartridge was just as slow.
Rifle MAS-36. (Army Museum in Stockholm)
This work began in the early 20s of the last century, and four years later they adopted the 7, 5x57 mm MAS mod. 1924. They began to design a rifle for it, but then the previous cartridge was abandoned in favor of a new ammunition - 7.5 mm Cartouche Mle.1929C (7.5x54 mm). Than the French were not satisfied with the earlier, slightly longer sample now you can't say, but, apparently, there was some reason. The main thing is that now the French gunsmiths had a new rifle cartridge of a reduced caliber compared to the old one, and it was for it that they began to create a rifle, which for many years had to replace all previously used samples.
The task for the team of gunsmiths and designers, led by Captain Montail, based on the tactical and technical requirements drawn up in 1930 by the French Ministry of Defense, were simple. It was necessary to create a new rifle for the French army, taking into account the experience of the First World War and the local conflicts in the colonies that took place in the French Republic. Attention was drawn to the fact that the average height of the soldiers of this war was 1.7 m, so Lebel's rifle with a bayonet attached was taller than such a soldier and therefore inconvenient in trenches. The military required a universal small arms for the ground forces, intermediate in size between a rifle and a carbine, and at the same time equally suitable for participation in maneuvering combat (including jungle and populated areas) and in trench warfare. It also turned out that during the First World War, soldiers fired mainly either lying down or standing in a trench. Moreover, the maximum range of fire was 1000 m. That is, it turned out that maneuverability for a new rifle is more important than range. Five years later, the first prototype rifle, designated "Modèle 34B2", entered trials. It was accepted into service on March 17, 1936, and its mass production began only on March 31, 1938. Until June 1940, only 250 thousand rifles were produced for the army and the Foreign Legion.
Riberol's rifle mod. 1917 g.
The Vichy government was able to re-equip only parts of the French army in southern France and Corsica with MAS-36 rifles, but these rifles were no longer enough for soldiers in North Africa. But a certain number of them ended up in the hands of the "Gaullists" of the "Free French" General Charles de Gaulle. But after the Germans finally disarmed the French army in 1942, all these rifles ended up either in the Wehrmacht or … in the poppies. The rifles captured in France were designated by the Germans as Gewehr 242 (f), and they were used in units stationed in France, so as not to carry ammunition far. That is, their release did not stop either during the war years or after it until 1953. After that, they were kept in warehouses for a long time, and were practically used in parts of the presidential guard and gendarmerie.
Well, it is clear that on the territory of most of the former French colonies, these rifles in large numbers were preserved as a memory of the former colonial past of these countries.
Since 2011, in Syria, a number of MAS-36 rifles from the mobilization reserve depots have fallen into the hands of anti-government armed groups. In June 2016, in the Afrin region of Syrian Kurdistan, MAS-36 rifles were used for military training of local self-defense forces. So this rifle, despite its considerable age, one way or another, but still continues to fight!
If we look at the MAS-36 rifle up close, then … its obvious resemblance to the Lebel M1927 rifle (and the M1886 / 93 R35 blunderbuss) will certainly catch our eye, although their stocks and sights are completely different. The reason is the presence of a powerful receiver, because of which, like the Lebel rifle, the stock turned out to be not whole, but split, consisting of three parts - a buttstock with a semi-pistol grip, a forend and its lining, fastened with two rings. It was considered that such a design is more technologically advanced, since there are always more short wooden blocks than long ones, and besides, there are fewer short "leads". At first these parts were made from walnut wood, but after the war they switched to cheaper birch! As for the finishing of metal surfaces, both phosphating and bluing could be used here, depending on the time of release.
Modernized rifle Lebel M1927
The constructive basis of the rifle is the receiver made by the milling method, that is, it is very strong, but gives the rifle extra weight, so although it turned out to be short - the length is only 1020 mm (that is, the length of the SKS carbine and our carbine arr. 1938), but it weighs 3700 grams, that is, pretty decent. The barrel has four right-hand grooves.
The bolt, traditionally locked by turning to the right, has two lugs at the back of its stem, like in the English "Enfield". The trigger is also conventional, striker type and without a fuse. This is surprising, but it is a fact.
Parade of soldiers of the French Foreign Legion with MAS-36 rifles (Lambesis, 1958).
Due to the fact that the stops are at the back, the shutter was shortened, and the shorter the shutter, the shorter its stroke, and, consequently, the reloading. Affects the reload speed and the location of the bolt handle, which on the MAS-36 is literally at its very rear end, so the designers had to bend it on purpose so that it would be somewhat closer to its middle. But this trick did not help, and it didn’t get any more conveniences than other rifles with a "bolt action". That is, everything is decided by the training of the shooter, as it often happens.
Sights are also more rationally arranged. On the same R35 blunderbuss, the sight is placed on the barrel, so its aiming line is very short. The MAS-36 has a sector diopter sight, with a range from 100 to 1200 meters and a step of 100 m, is assigned to the rear of the receiver, so its aiming line is much longer. The front sight is located in a powerful annular front sight behind the wooden barrel lining. It is argued that it turned out to be too wide for marksmanship beyond 300 meters, but at this distance it does not play a big role if it is wide or narrow.
French gendarmes from the CRS unit with MAS-36 rifles (early 1970s).
The MAS-36 magazine holds 5 rounds, and its feed mechanism is copied from the Mauser design. Well, no one has come up with anything better, simpler and more reliable, and time has clearly proved this. The magazine is filled using conventional plate clips or one cartridge at a time. In the upper part of the receiver there is a groove for the clip, and for the convenience of the arrow on the left in the wall of the box, a deep recess is made for the thumb. There is a button in the front of the store. If you press on it and then press the lid down, it will open, which is also convenient: this way you can quickly discharge the magazine.
MAS-49/56 rifle in the hands of the National Guard at the Elysee Palace.
The bayonet of the new rifle deserves a separate story, which has absorbed, so to speak, the experience of various rifles of many countries and peoples. And what did the French do on its basis? Here's what: a triangular needle bayonet (baionnette modele 1936) of the original design. In the stowed position, it is stored in the position with the tip back in a special tube located under the barrel inside the forend. At the same time, you can fix the bayonet in the combat or stowed position using two locking buttons on its handle. I pressed one - I took out the bayonet, inserted it and … the second latch secured it. I did the same in the reverse order - I fixed the bayonet in the tube under the barrel.
Bayonet for the MAS-36 rifle.
In fact, the French already had a three-edged bayonet for the Gra rifle arr. 1874, although his blade was still T-shaped. Whereas the bayonet for the MAS-36 is exactly triangular, without a handle and a crosshair with a bow. That is, it is impossible to consider him the heir to the old traditions.
The MAS-36 M51 modification was able to fire rifle grenades: a barrel with ring attachments and a special sight. The front sight with a flywheel on it had the shape of the letter W with a short middle "stick".
One of the bayonet retainers on its handle. The second is on the opposite side at the other end.
In general, the rifle "turned out". It was technologically advanced, quite comfortable, short and light. We can say that this rifle is pure utility, which, of course, is good. But … with all this, she appeared too late to be appreciated. The time of manual reloading rifles is definitely over!
