French MAS Mle 49 7.5 French Semi-Auto Rifle C&R w/Scope & Accessories
SOLD FOR: $2,206.02
WOA#: WY240124WP005
Make: Manufacture d’Armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS), France
Model: MAS MLE 1949
Serial Number: F66460
Year of Manufacture: 1950s (Arsenal refurbished 1966)
Caliber: 7.5x54mm (7.5 French)
Action Type: Semi-automatic, detachable 10 round magazine.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “E B G”, “MAS Mle 1949”, “CAL 7,5”, “F66460”, with a boxed “P66” arsenal refurbishment stamp, and with a C.A.I. import mark. The rear of the receiver is marked “CB T” and “F66460”. The top of the bolt carrier is marked “ON 72” and “T T”. The left side of the magazine is marked “MAS721706”. The top rear of the scope is marked “APX L 806”, “04”, and “OPL No. 7161”.
Barrel Length: 22.8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post set between two protective ears.. 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 rifle also comes with a Modele 1953 APX L806 3.85x scope which has been placed in the correct pattern of scope mount. The lenses are clear though there is a blemish at the top of the front lens, which can’t be seen when looking through the scope.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a nylon charging handle, semi-pistol grip, finger grooves, nose cap with stacking rod, hole for the removed grenade launcher, barrel band with sling ring, through bolt, sling well, sling bar, and a metal buttplate. The buttplate is lightly pitted and there are small spots of oxidation and wear along the edges. There are very light compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a very small cut in the wood just behind and below the receiver that looks like a factory defect. The LOP measures 12.8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition as arsenal refurbished.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 10 round magazine in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original to arsenal refurbishment
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is defined. There is light to moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6.5 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 92% of its metal finish. There are light scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is light wear to the finish on the left rear side of the receiver. There is wear to the finish on the right side of the receiver from the magazine clip. The stacking rod base is bent. The grenade launcher and sight have been removed. The action shows usage wear, with finish wear along the sides and top of the bolt carrier. The screw heads show light use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
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, an APX L806 scope with mount, a leather scope case, canvas receiver cover, technical manual, cleaning kit, and leather sling.
Our Assessment: The MAS 49 was the third iteration of the MAS semi-automatic rifle series that began with the MAS 40. The idea behind the MAS 49 was to make a ‘universal’ rifle, one that could fill the role of a rifleman, grenadier, and designated marksman. To do this, a rifle grenade firing ability was built into the barrel and a dovetail was added to the left side of the receiver to allow for the attachment of optics. Less than 75,000 of these were built as they were soon replaced by the MAS 49/56. This is an example of a French MAS 49, of which very few were imported into the United States. The rifle is one of the later ones built and it was arsenal refurbished in 1966. The grenade launcher and sight have been removed. The newer stock has very little wear to it. The metal retains most of its newer finish, with most of the wear being on the action. The stacking rod base is bent though. The bore is in good shape, with more than enough rifling to make for an adequate shooter. This rifle comes with an APX L806 scope on a mount, a leather scope case, a canvas receiver cover, a technical manual from 1970, and a cleaning kit. The inclusion of the scope makes this already rare rifle even more desirable. This would fit into any French or Cold War collection. Please see our photos.
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