French MAS MLE 49/56 7.5 French Semi-Auto Rifle w/Grenade Launcher C&R
SOLD FOR: $810
WOA#: WY231102JA003
Make: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France
Model: MAS MLE 1949/56
Serial Number: G76037
Year of Manufacture: Late 1950s
Caliber: 7.5x54mm (7.5 French)
Action Type: Semi-automatic, detachable 10 round magazine.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “G76037”, “MAS Mle 1949-56”, “CAL 7.5”, squared “P66” “P71” “P78” stamps, and a C.A.I. import stamp. The rear of the receiver is marked “G76037”. The top of the bolt carrier is marked “G” and “HG”. The right side of the front sight base is marked “IMT”. The right side of the barrel is marked “784”. The rear of the buttpad is marked “MAS 1962 2”.
Barrel Length: 19.75”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an adjustable post set between two protective ears. The base of the post is marked “1 2 3 4” on top. It can be rotated when the retaining pin is pushed down. The rear sight is an elevation adjustable escalator aperture sight marked from 2-12. A screw on the right side of the aperture housing can be turned to adjust the aperture for windage. The left side of the receiver has an integral scope base machined into it. The underside of the flip up grenade launcher sight is marked “100 / 75 / 50 / 120 A.P”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The wood stock has a nylon charging handle, semi-pistol grip, finger grooves, barrel band with sling ring, sling well, sling bar, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate is pitted with wear along the edges. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. The right rear side of the buttstock has small chunks of wood missing. There are faded white spots on both sides of the buttstock. The top of the buttstock has spots of dried residue. The LOP measures 12.75” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition as arsenal refurbished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10 round magazine in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is light pitting on the bolt carrier under the new finish. The bottom of the magazine has some scratches, one of which is deep. The front sight base is pitted under the new finish. The screw heads show light use. The markings are mostly legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition as arsenal refurbished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a detachable ten round magazine, a leather sling, and a removable rubber recoil pad (which has a tear in the top section).
Our Assessment: The MAS 49/56 was the final iteration of the MAS semi-automatic rifle series that began with the MAS 40. The 49/56 was a development on the earlier MAS 49, but with a shorter barrel that was fitted with the ability to fire rifle grenades. With nearly 300,000 made, the 49/56 would serve as the primary rifle of the French military from its introduction until being replaced by the FAMAS in the early 1980s. Nearly all of the 49/56s in the French inventory were surplused to the U.S. market in the 1990s. This example was made in the late 1950s. It was arsenal refurbished three times, according to the stamps on the receiver, which is fairly common for these rifles. The stock has some wear to it, with small chunks missing from the buttstock. The metal retains most of its finish, though the bottom of the magazine is worn more heavily than the rest of the rifle. The bore is in nice shape, with some moderate erosion, but it should still make for a good shooter. This would fit into any French or Cold War collection. Please see our photos.
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