October 26, 2008
The MAS Mle-36
While some of my pals are pistoleros, I enjoy collecting military rifles that saw action in The War To End All Wars, 1914-1918, and it's sequel, Part II, otherwise known as WW2.
The French MAS Mle-36 is an interesting rifle, little known or appreciated outside collecting circles, used little after May 1940, except for some post-war action in French Indochina and Algeria. It survives as a sniper rifle in some French Army units, albeit in a modified version rechambered for the NATO 7.62mm round.
While the French quickly joined the rest of the world in adopting self-loading battle rifles in the late '40s, the bolt-action MAS '36 lived on in police and reserve armories throughout the Francophone world until nearly the end of the 20th century, when they were dumped into the surplus market.
The MAS-36 features a tremendously strong action, darn near indestructible, really, with a distinctive bolt that turns down and forward. It's not cheap to shoot, given that it must be fed expensive ammo in a caliber used by no one other than the Frenchies.
I snagged mine in the early '90s, in what appears to be either unfired, mint condition, or the best arsenal-level refurbish job I've ever seen.
The price for them has gone up in the ensuing years, but they're still available for just a few C-notes. I found this one for sale on Guns America (it sold), but I really liked the description posted by the seller:
This is a very nice French MAS Mle-36 carbine. This carbine looks to be unissued with a nearly flawless stock and excellent parkerized metal finish.
Doubtful this rifle was ever fired at a German soldier.
Chambered in the 7.5 x 54 cartridge.
This rifle’s metal is in excellent, almost new condition and the bore is bright with strong rifling. The wood is in excellent, almost new condition. Includes the original leather sling.
The MAS Mle-36 has a bayonet that fits into a socket under the barrel. Perfect for grilling snails or as a mount for a white flag.
Asking $300.00
I don't care where you're from; that's funny.
Unless you're French.
Posted by Mike Lief at October 26, 2008 08:43 PM
| TrackBack
Comments
Is that a picture of your MAS, or a stock photo?
Personally, I have grown more fond of the looks of the Krag over the 1903. Discounting the higher ammunition cost of the .30-40 over .30-06, what do you think?
Posted by: The Litttle Coach at October 29, 2008 08:15 AM
It's not mine, although you'd be hard pressed to distinguish between the two.
Although the Krag might look nicer in some eyes, the Springfield had a better mechanism, if memory serves me right.
Posted by: Mike Lief at October 31, 2008 12:22 AM